Many people use Facebook and Instagram daily. Over time, some Facebook users may wish to take a break or delete their accounts entirely for various reasons like privacy concerns or desire for less screen time. A common question that arises is whether deleting your Facebook account requires you to delete your Instagram account as well, since Facebook owns Instagram.
Quick Answer
The short answer is no, you do not have to delete your Instagram account if you delete your Facebook account. Facebook and Instagram accounts are separate and can be deleted independently of each other. You can maintain your Instagram account even after deleting Facebook.
Detailed Answer
Facebook and Instagram started out as separate companies. Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012, but the accounts remained separate. This means you can sign up for and manage Facebook and Instagram accounts independently even today.
Deleting your Facebook account removes all your Facebook data like posts, photos, messages etc. from Facebook servers. Your Instagram data however remains intact. You do not lose your Instagram followers, photos, videos or any other data. You can continue accessing Instagram and using it like before. The only difference is that any link between your Facebook and Instagram accounts is removed.
Steps to delete Facebook but keep Instagram
Here are the steps to delete your Facebook account while keeping your Instagram account active:
- Go to the Facebook account deletion page and click on “Delete Account”. Log into your Facebook account.
- Select “Delete Account” option again and enter your password when prompted.
- Click “Continue to Account Deletion”. Facebook will now start the deletion process. It can take up to 90 days for the account to be deleted completely.
- Open the Instagram app on your phone, or go to instagram.com on your desktop. Log into your Instagram account as usual. You will still have full access.
- If you had linked your Instagram and Facebook accounts, that link is now removed. Your Instagram account works as a standalone account without any reliance on Facebook login.
As you can see, the process is quite straightforward. You can initiate deletion of your Facebook account while keeping your Instagram account fully intact.
Will deleting Facebook improve my privacy?
Here are some ways in which deleting Facebook can improve your privacy and security:
- Facebook will no longer collect any new data from your activities on Facebook. This includes your posts, friends list, events, groups you’ve joined etc.
- Advertisers will no longer be able to target you using data from your Facebook account and activities.
- Deleting Facebook reduces the amount of your personal data held by Facebook overall, even if you continue using Instagram.
- It becomes harder for Facebook to create shadow profiles and track you around the web using facebook pixels and plugins.
- You have less risk of compromising sensitive personal info in case of a Facebook security breach.
Facebook collects a lot of personal data on its users. Deleting your Facebook account reduces the access Facebook has to your information substantially. It is a good step to improving your privacy in the digital age.
What are the downsides of deleting Facebook?
Here are some potential downsides to keep in mind when deleting your Facebook account:
- You will lose access to all Facebook content and features like newsfeed, groups, marketplace etc.
- Contacting Facebook friends becomes harder. You have to reach them through other channels.
- You may miss out on invites, events and other updates happening on Facebook.
- Disappearing from Facebook makes it harder for old friends and acquaintances to find or contact you.
- Some apps and websites that rely on Facebook login will no longer work.
The impact depends on how integrated Facebook is into your digital life. For many people, the pros of increased privacy outweigh the cons of losing access to Facebook itself.
Tips for managing your Instagram account after deleting Facebook
Here are some tips to manage your Instagram account smoothly after deleting Facebook:
- Update your Instagram profile to replace any references to Facebook with other contact details like a LinkedIn profile.
- If you used your Facebook account to log into Instagram, change your Instagram login to use your username/email and password instead.
- Check the Instagram settings for any connected Facebook options and remove them.
- Inform close connections on Facebook that you are deleting your account but will remain active on Instagram.
- Review privacy settings on Instagram and modify as per your comfort.
- Enhance your Instagram bio with more details as it will become your primary social media presence.
Staying active on Instagram while deleting Facebook may take some adjustments, but is perfectly doable. Many people manage their social media this way by design.
Can I take a break from Facebook and return later?
Yes, you can temporarily deactivate your Facebook account if you want to take a break and return later. Here is how it works:
- Go to Facebook Settings and click on “Your Facebook Information” in the left menu.
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- Choose “Deactivate Account” and confirm when prompted.
Your Facebook profile and data will be hidden until you log back in with your credentials. Do note that some data may get permanently deleted after 30-90 days of deactivation.
You can reactivate your account anytime by logging back in with your credentials. This restores access to your Facebook account and all its data.
Can someone else delete my Facebook account without consent?
No, someone else cannot delete your Facebook account without your consent and authorization, unless they have hacked into your account. Here are some scenarios:
- If someone logs into your Facebook account and deletes it, the account can still be recovered as Facebook will send a notification of account deletion to your registered email and phone number. Simply follow theprompts to restore your account.
- You can submit photo ID to Facebook to prove account ownership if you are locked out of a deleted account. Facebook can restore the account if it verifies your identity.
- In rare cases of death or lack of capacity, Facebook may allow next of kin to request account deletion. This requires providing documents to prove authorization.
- If you gave someone your Facebook login details voluntarily, they could potentially delete your account while logged in. But this is not without consent.
In summary, unauthorized account deletion without your permission is unlikely, and recoverable in most cases. Always maintain account security best practices.
How does Facebook handle account data after deletion?
When you delete your Facebook account, here is what happens to your data:
| Data Type | Removal Process |
|---|---|
| Posts, photos, videos, comments, likes | Removed from Facebook servers within 90 days |
| Contacts, messages, groups | Removed immediately and cannot be recovered |
| Tracking data, profile info, usage logs | Anonymized and aggregated after removal |
| Copies of data in ad systems | Retained for up to 180 days |
As you can see, Facebook does not immediately wipe all data from its servers when you delete your account. This gives some time for the account to be recovered if desired. But most account data gets purged eventually.
Can I download my Facebook data before deleting the account?
Yes, before deleting your Facebook account, you can download an archive of your Facebook data for your records. Here is how to download your Facebook data:
- Go to Facebook Settings and click on “Your Facebook Information”.
- Select “Download Your Information” option.
- Choose what data you want to download – posts, photos, profile info, etc.
- Enter your password and click to confirm download request.
- The archive file will be emailed to you once prepared, which can take a few hours or even days depending on size.
It’s a good idea to download your Facebook data before deletion for memories, nostalgia, records and other future reference. The downloaded zip file remains available even after you delete your account.
Conclusion
Facebook and Instagram accounts can be independently deactivated or deleted as per user choice. You can remove your Facebook account and its data while continuing to use Instagram seamlessly. With appropriate preparation, deleting Facebook but keeping Instagram offers the best of both worlds for many users seeking improved privacy without losing access to visual social media. Follow the steps above for a smooth transition that meets your specific social media needs.