How to deactivate Facebook account?

Facebook has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2 billion monthly active users as of 2022. However, some users may wish to take a break from Facebook or deactivate their accounts entirely for various reasons like privacy concerns, desire to be less distracted, too much time spent on the platform, etc.

Deactivating your Facebook account is different from deleting it permanently. When you deactivate your account, it is hidden until you reactivate it by logging back in. On the other hand, deleting your account permanently erases all your information from Facebook.

Why deactivate instead of delete Facebook account?

There are a few key reasons why you may want to deactivate your Facebook account instead of permanently deleting it:

You want to take a break from Facebook but aren’t ready to delete your account forever.
You don’t want to lose photos, posts, conversations, and other data associated with your account.
You may want to reactivate your account in the future if circumstances change.

It’s easier to reactivate a deactivated account than starting over with a new one.

Deactivating gives you the flexibility to take a break from Facebook without losing your account history and data permanently.

How to deactivate Facebook account temporarily

Here are the steps to temporarily deactivate your Facebook account:

Login to your Facebook account and click on the arrow dropdown menu located on the far right of the blue toolbar.
Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
Click on “Settings” in the left sidebar.

Click on “Your Facebook Information” in the tabs at the top.
Select “Deactivation and Deletion” from the left sidebar.
Choose “Deactivate Account” and click “Continue to Account Deactivation”.

Select either “I’d like to take a break from Facebook” or “I’m concerned about privacy” as your reason for deactivating.
Re-enter your password to confirm your identity.
Click “Deactivate.”

It’s that simple! Your account will now be deactivated. To reactivate it, just log back in with your username and password.

Important things to know about deactivated accounts

Here are some key points to know about what happens when your Facebook account is deactivated:

Your profile, photos, posts, videos, and personal information are hidden until you reactivate your account.

People won’t be able to search for your account or view your timeline.
You cannot change previous posts, upload new content, react to posts, or comment.
Your Facebook messages are deactivated but can be restored if you reactivate within 30 days.

You still retain ownership of your username – no one else can claim it.
Apps linked to your Facebook account may stop working until you reactivate it.
It can take up to 1 month for Facebook to delete residuals like search index listings.

In summary, deactivating your account hides your profile and prevents further use of Facebook until you log back in to reactivate it.

How long does deactivation last?

When you deactivate your Facebook account, it remains in deactivated status indefinitely until you decide to reactivate it. There is no time limit on how long deactivation can last.

You can log back into your account anytime with your username and password to reactivate your account and restore all your previous data and information.

Facebook does not automatically delete or permanently disable deactivated accounts. Your account will remain deactivated whether it has been a day, a month, or several years since you initially deactivated it.

Can someone else reactivate my deactivated account?

No, other people cannot reactivate your deactivated Facebook account. Only you as the account owner can reactivate your account by logging back in with your credentials.

When your account is deactivated, it cannot be accessed by anyone else. Your login credentials are required to unlock and regain access to your deactivated account.

Should I delete my Facebook account instead?

Whether to permanently delete your Facebook account instead of temporarily deactivating it depends on your specific circumstances and preferences.

Here are some reasons you may want to permanently delete your account instead of deactivating:

You have no intention of ever using Facebook again in the future.

You want all your information and data to be permanently erased from Facebook.
You do not want to maintain ownership of your username.
You are concerned about old posts and data remaining on Facebook servers even if deactivated.

On the other hand, reasons to stick with deactivating your account include:

You want the option to reactivate your account in the future.
You don’t want to lose your Facebook photos, posts, and other data.

You still want to keep your unique Facebook username.
You are unsure if deleting permanently is the right long-term decision.

Overall, deactivating gives you more flexibility if you think you may want to use Facebook again down the road.

How to permanently delete Facebook account

If you decide you do want to permanently delete your Facebook account, here are the steps:

Go to your Facebook account Settings.
Click on “Your Facebook Information” in the left menu.

Select “Deactivation and Deletion.”
Choose “Permanently Delete Account” and click “Continue to Account Deletion.”
Select your reason for deleting your account.

Re-enter your password to confirm your identity.
Click “Permanently Delete Account.”

Once you permanently delete your account, it cannot be retrieved again. Facebook will remove all your data, posts, photos, profile information, and you will lose access to your account forever.

What happens when you permanently delete Facebook account?

Here’s an overview of what happens when you permanently delete your Facebook account:

Your profile, posts, photos, videos, and all personal information are deleted.
You immediately lose access to your account and all its data.

Your previous posts and info are removed from Facebook servers.
Friends will no longer see your profile or be able to search for your account.
You give up ownership of your username – it can be claimed by others.

All data from integrated apps is deleted.
Delete process can take up to 90 days to fully complete.

In summary, permanent account deletion erases your presence on Facebook and removes your online identity from the platform.

Can you reactivate a permanently deleted Facebook account?

No, you cannot reactivate a Facebook account once it has been permanently deleted. The deletion is irreversible.

Unlike deactivation which is temporary, permanent account deletion is final. All your data is removed from Facebook servers and your account is destroyed.

There is no way to retrieve or reinstate a Facebook account that has been permanently deleted by the user. You would have to create an entirely new account if you wanted to use Facebook again.

Should I download my Facebook data before deactivating?

Yes, it’s highly recommended to download a copy of your Facebook data before deactivating your account.

Here are some key reasons to download your data first:

You’ll have a backup copy of photos, posts, conversations in case you don’t reactivate.

It’s useful for reminiscing or keeping sentimental data.
You can review your data to decide if permanent deletion is right for you.
It allows you to permanently delete your actual Facebook account but retain data.

Downloaded data can be transferred to other platforms if you decide to leave Facebook.

To download your Facebook data:

Go to “Settings” then “Your Facebook Information.”

Select “Download your Information.”
Choose date range and types of data to download.
Click “Request Download.”

Facebook will email you the download link when ready.

Pros of deactivating your Facebook account

Some of the major advantages of deactivating instead of deleting your Facebook account include:

Reversible – You can reactivate at any time to get your account back.

Keep your data – Your information and history is preserved if you return.
Maintain username – You retain ownership of your unique username.
Take a break – Deactivating lets you temporarily distance yourself from Facebook.

Assess if you want to delete permanently – Gives you time to evaluate if deletion is right for you.
Access apps again if reactivated – Linked apps will start working if you reactivate.

Cons of deactivating your Facebook account

Some potential drawbacks or downsides of deactivating instead of fully deleting your account:

Data remains on Facebook servers and systems even if account is deactivated.
Profile and info may still show up in People You May Know recommendations.
Requires willpower not to reactivate if trying to distance yourself from Facebook.

Can only take limited 30-day break from Messenger before messages are deleted.
May need to re-configure some app connections if reactivated later.

Conclusion

Deactivating your Facebook account allows you to take a reversible break while still maintaining ownership of your profile data. It is ideal for those who may need a temporary respite from Facebook or are assessing if permanent deletion is right for them long-term.

Be sure to download your data before deactivating. And if you do decide to permanently delete, know that the process is irreversible. Deactivation gives you more options if you think you may return to Facebook someday.