There are a few different ways to deactivate your Facebook account on the mobile app. Deactivating your account is different from deleting it – when you deactivate, your profile and information will be hidden but not permanently removed. Your account can be reactivated at any time if you choose to log back in. Here are the steps to deactivate via the mobile app on iOS and Android devices:
Deactivating on iOS
If you have an iPhone or iPad and want to deactivate your Facebook account, follow these steps:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the three-line Menu icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Your Facebook Information in the left sidebar.
- Tap Deactivation and Deletion.
- Choose Deactivate Account, then Continue to Account Deactivation.
- Select a reason for deactivating from the dropdown menu.
- Enter your password to confirm your identity.
- Tap Deactivate.
Once you tap Deactivate, your account will be deactivated. You’ll immediately be logged out of Facebook.
To reactivate your account later, simply log back in with your email and password.
Deactivating on Android
If you have an Android device and want to deactivate Facebook, the steps are very similar:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the three-line Menu button.
- Tap Settings & Privacy.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Your Facebook Information.
- Tap Deactivation and Deletion.
- Choose Deactivate Account, then Continue to Account Deactivation.
- Pick a reason for deactivating.
- Enter your password.
- Tap Deactivate.
This will immediately deactivate your account and log you out. To reactivate, simply log back in anytime.
Things to Know About Deactivation
Here are some key things to keep in mind about deactivating your Facebook account via the mobile app:
- Your profile and photos will be hidden until you reactivate your account.
- People will no longer be able to search for you on Facebook.
- Your messages will be deactivated but not deleted.
- You’ll stop getting notifications and emails from Facebook.
- You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in.
- If you don’t log back in, your account will be permanently deleted after 30 days.
Deactivating just makes your account dormant – it does not delete any of your information. If you want to permanently delete your Facebook account, you’ll need to do so from a desktop computer.
How to Permanently Delete Facebook
If you want to fully delete your Facebook account and all your data, you cannot do this from the mobile app. Permanent deletion can only be done from a desktop browser. Here is how to delete Facebook completely:
- On your computer, go to www.facebook.com and log into your account.
- Click the down arrow icon at the top right and select Settings & Privacy.
- Click Settings.
- Click Your Facebook Information in the left sidebar.
- Click Deactivation and Deletion.
- Choose Permanently Delete Account, then Continue to Account Deletion.
- Enter your password and click Continue.
- Click Delete Account.
Once you click Delete Account, your profile, photos, posts, messages, and all other account data will be permanently removed. This cannot be undone, so only follow these steps if you are absolutely certain.
Other Ways to Disable Facebook App
If you don’t want to fully deactivate your account but need a break from the Facebook app, there are a couple other options:
- Disable Push Notifications – Go to your device Settings, find the Facebook app and turn off all notifications. This will stop you from getting distracted by alerts.
- Log Out of the App – Open Facebook, tap the Menu icon, tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Log Out. This will keep your account active but log you out of the app on your phone.
- Delete the App – Find the Facebook app on your home screen, press and hold the icon, then delete or uninstall the app from your device. You can always reinstall it later if you change your mind.
These less drastic measures allow you to take a break from the Facebook mobile app without deactivating your account.
Conclusion
Deactivating your Facebook account on the mobile app is simple – just go to Settings, Your Facebook Information, then Deactivation and Deletion. This will hide your profile until you log back in to reactivate it. If you want to permanently delete your Facebook account, you’ll need to do so from a desktop browser instead of the app. Other options like disabling notifications or deleting the app allow you to take a temporary break from Facebook on your phone.
| Platform | Steps to Deactivate |
|---|---|
| iOS |
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| Android |
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