With the latest version of Facebook, users do have the ability to deactivate their accounts temporarily if they wish to take a break from the platform. Deactivating your Facebook account removes your profile and name from view, but does not delete your account permanently. Here’s what you need to know about deactivating your Facebook account in the latest version of the platform.
Why Would You Want to Deactivate Facebook?
There are a few common reasons why someone may want to deactivate their Facebook account for a period of time:
- Take a break from social media – If you feel like you are spending too much time on Facebook or social media in general, deactivating can give you a break from the constant updates and notifications.
- Privacy concerns – Some users choose to deactivate if they have concerns about privacy settings or want to limit the amount of information available about them online.
- Too many distractions – For those who find Facebook distracting from work or other priorities, deactivation can help minimize procrastination and time sink.
- Prepare for a job search – Job recruiters often search for candidates online, so some people deactivate while searching to limit their online presence.
Deactivating your account gives you all the benefits of logging off without having to delete your profile entirely. It’s a temporary solution for those going through a busy period or looking to take a technology detox.
How to Deactivate Facebook Account
Deactivating your Facebook account is a straightforward process that can be reversed at any time. Here are the steps to deactivate your Facebook account on both desktop and mobile:
On Desktop:
- Click on the down arrow in the top right corner and select “Settings”.
- Click “Your Facebook Information” in the left menu.
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- Choose “Deactivate Account” and follow the on-screen prompts.
On Mobile:
- Tap the three line “hamburger” menu icon.
- Scroll down and choose “Settings & Privacy”.
- Tap “Settings”.
- Select “Account Ownership and Control”.
- Choose “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- Tap “Deactivate Account” and follow the on-screen prompts.
The process will allow you to choose a reason for deactivating and set a date for the account to be deleted permanently if you do not reactivate. You can reactivate at any time by simply logging back into Facebook with your credentials.
What Happens When Your Facebook Account is Deactivated?
When you deactivate your Facebook account, here are the key things that happen:
- Your profile and name are hidden from other users on Facebook.
- No one can search for you or view your profile or timeline.
- You do not show up in the People You May Know recommendations.
- You cannot be tagged in posts, photos or other content.
- Messages sent to your inbox will not be received.
- You cannot react to or comment on posts.
- Your account is essentially paused – you won’t get notifications or updates.
Importantly, deactivating does NOT delete your account or any of your information. Everything is saved so it can be restored if you choose to reactivate. You can also still use Messenger if you do not deactivate your account fully.
How Long Does Deactivation Last?
When you deactivate your Facebook account, you have the option to set a duration for how long you want it to remain deactivated before being permanently deleted. The options are:
- 1 day
- 3 days
- 7 days
- 14 days
- 30 days
- 60 days
If you try to log back in during the deactivation period you selected, your account will be fully reactivated. After the time period ends, your account and all associated data will be permanently deleted with no option for recovery.
If you do not select a duration, your Facebook account will remain deactivated until you log back in to reactivate it manually. There is no limit on how long deactivation can last if you do not choose a deletion date.
What You Can Still Do with a Deactivated Account
While your Facebook account is deactivated, there are still a few actions you can take without reactivating your profile fully:
- Log in – You can log into your account using your email and password without making the profile live again. This allows you to extend the deactivation period if needed.
- Download your information – You can still download a copy of your Facebook data for your records.
- Messenger – Depending on your settings, you may still be able to use Messenger for chatting.
Trying to post, comment, like, or take most other actions will prompt you to reactivate your account. But logging in and extending deactivation is possible without your friends seeing you back on Facebook.
How to Reactivate Your Facebook Account
If you are ready to start using Facebook again after deactivating your account, reactivating is very simple:
- Go to Facebook.com and log in with your email and password as usual.
- When prompted, select “Activate” to reactivate your account.
- Facebook will turn your profile back on and restore your previous sessions.
You should immediately regain access to all your posts, photos, friends, and account activity. Reactivation works anytime within the deletion period you pre-selected when deactivating.
Deactivate or Delete Facebook Account?
If you are sure you want to permanently remove your Facebook account from the platform, you also have the option to delete rather than temporarily deactivate. Here is the key difference:
- Deactivate – Temporarily hides profile and pauses account. All data remains and account can be restored.
- Delete – Permanently removes account, profile, connections and all associated data. Cannot be undone.
For those uncertain about leaving Facebook completely, deactivation is often the best approach. It allows you to take a break without losing your online presence for good. But deleting your account permanently removes you from Facebook if you do not foresee returning.
Conclusion
Deactivating your Facebook account is a straightforward process that can be reversed at any time. To deactivate your account, simply go to your account settings and select the “Deactivate” option, choosing a duration for the deactivation period before permanent deletion. Your profile and data will be hidden during deactivation and will only be restored if you log back in and reactivate your account. For those looking to take a break from Facebook temporarily, deactivation provides an easy option without permanently closing your account.