Yes, you can temporarily deactivate or disable your Facebook account if you need to take a break from the platform. Here are a few quick answers about how to temporarily delete Facebook:
How do I temporarily deactivate my Facebook account?
To temporarily deactivate your Facebook account:
- Go to your Facebook settings
- Click on the “Your Facebook Information” link in the left column
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Choose “Deactivate Account” and follow the on-screen instructions
Your profile and information will be hidden until you reactivate your account by logging back in with your username and password.
What happens when I temporarily deactivate my Facebook account?
When you temporarily deactivate your Facebook account:
- Your profile and photos will be hidden
- You will stop showing up in friends’ News Feeds
- Your messages will be deactivated
- You won’t be able to react or comment on posts
- No one will be able to search for you on Facebook
However, Facebook will still have your data on file. Friends may still tag you in photos and posts, but the tags won’t link to your profile.
Can I reactivate my Facebook account at any time?
Yes, you can reactive your Facebook account at any time by simply logging back into Facebook with your account email and password. All of your information will be restored.
How long can I temporarily deactivate my Facebook account?
You can temporarily deactivate your Facebook account for as long as you want. There is no time limit. Your account will remain deactivated until you decide to log back in and reactivate it.
What happens if I don’t reactivate my Facebook account?
If your account stays deactivated for an extended period, here’s what will happen:
- After 30 days of deactivation, your name and photos may no longer show up in your friends’ tags
- If your account stays deactivated for 14 consecutive days at least once every calendar year, your Facebook account and all its data may be permanently deleted
So if you want to take a long break from Facebook but not delete your account entirely, make sure to log in periodically to keep your account active.
Can people still message me if I temporarily deactivate my account?
No, if your account is temporarily deactivated, people will not be able to message you on Facebook Messenger or Facebook. Your incoming messages will also be deactivated until you reactivate your account.
Will deactivating my Facebook account delete my messages?
No, deactivating your Facebook account will not delete your existing Facebook messages. Your messages will remain in your account but will become inaccessible during the deactivation period. When you reactivate your account, you will regain access to all your previous messages.
Can I delete specific information before deactivating my Facebook account?
Yes, before temporarily deactivating your account, you can delete specific posts, photos, videos, reactions, comments and other personal information. Here are some things you can do:
- Delete old posts and photos
- Unlike pages you no longer want to follow
- Remove personal details from your profile
- Delete previous comments and reactions
- Unlike groups you no longer wish to be part of
Taking these steps will give you a “clean slate” before deactivating your account temporarily.
Can I download my Facebook data before temporarily deactivating my account?
Yes, it’s recommended to download a copy of your Facebook data before temporarily deactivating your account. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Click on Your Facebook Information in the left column
- Select “Download your Information” and choose your data preferences
- Enter your password when prompted to request your download
Facebook will assemble all your data into a downloadable file that you can save as a digital backup. This makes it easy to reactivate your account later without losing any data.
What’s the difference between deactivating and deleting my Facebook account?
Deactivating your Facebook account is temporary – all your information remains stored in Facebook’s servers and can be restored when you log back in. Deleting your Facebook account is permanent and removes all your info from Facebook.
Here’s a comparison:
| Deactivating | Deleting |
|---|---|
| Temporarily hides profile and removes name from most places | Permanently deletes profile and removes all traces of account |
| Can reactivate account at any time | Cannot regain access once account is deleted |
| Data remains stored on Facebook’s servers | All user data is removed from Facebook |
| Takes less than a minute to do | Can take up to 90 days to fully delete account |
In most cases, temporarily deactivating your account is preferable if you think you may want to take a break from Facebook but use it again in the future.
Should I temporarily deactivate or delete my Facebook account?
Here are some guidelines to help decide if you should temporarily deactivate or permanently delete your Facebook account:
- Temporarily deactivate if:
- You need a short social media break
- You are busy with exams or work
- Want to reduce distractions temporarily
- Permanently delete if:
- You want to leave Facebook for good
- Facebook causes you stress or anxiety
- You don’t agree with Facebook’s rules and policies
- You are concerned about privacy issues
Consider your reasons for leaving Facebook to decide if deactivation or deletion is right for you.
Conclusion
Temporarily deactivating your Facebook account allows you to take a break from the platform while preserving your profile information to easily reactivate it later. Simply deactivate your account in settings, take a social media break, and log back in with your credentials when ready.
Permanently deleting your Facebook removes all your data for good. Evaluate your personal reasons before choosing to deactivate or delete. With the right option, you can take control of your Facebook use.