Finding the deactivate option in the Facebook app can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. The deactivate option allows you to temporarily disable your Facebook account without deleting it. This can be useful if you need a break from Facebook but don’t want to lose all your information and connections.
Why Would You Want to Deactivate Facebook?
There are a few common reasons why someone might want to deactivate their Facebook account for a while:
- Take a break from social media – Deactivating can give you a chance to focus on other things and avoid getting distracted by your Facebook feed.
- Privacy concerns – You may have worries about how Facebook uses your data and want more control over your information.
- Spend less time online – Getting constant notifications and spending hours scrolling can become a habit. Deactivating helps break that cycle.
- Prepare for a job search – Some employers may look up applicants online, so deactivating prevents them from potentially seeing unflattering posts.
No matter the reason, deactivating Facebook for a period of time rather than fully deleting it leaves the option open to return in the future if you choose. Your profile and all its data will be waiting for you when you reactivate.
How to Find the Deactivate Option on Mobile
If you use the Facebook mobile app on your smartphone or tablet, here are the steps to locate the deactivate setting:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the three-line “hamburger” menu icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down through the menu and tap “Settings & Privacy”.
- Under the “Settings” heading, choose “Your Facebook Information”.
- Tap “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- On the “Deactivation” page, tap “Continue to Deactivation” and confirm you want to deactivate your account.
The deactivate option is buried a few levels deep in the app’s settings, but this path will take you right to it. The process takes just a few taps once you know where to look.
How to Find the Deactivate Link on Desktop
If you primarily use Facebook on a desktop computer, here are the steps to get to the account deactivation page:
- Go to Facebook.com and log into your account.
- Click the down arrow icon in the top right corner next to your profile picture.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- On the Settings page, click “Your Facebook Information” in the left sidebar.
- Choose “Deactivation and Deletion” from the options at the top.
- Click “Continue to Deactivation” on the Deactivation page and confirm.
Following these steps will lead you to the deactivate link. Just like on mobile, it’s located in your account settings.
Other Ways to Find the Facebook Deactivate Option
In addition to the app and desktop site, there are a couple other ways to get to the account deactivation page:
- Facebook Lite app – This stripped down version of the main Facebook app also has the deactivate option buried in your account settings.
- Messenger app – Access the deactivate page from the menu in the Messenger mobile app under your profile settings.
So if you use any of these other Facebook-related apps, the process is essentially the same. Just dig into the menus to find the deactivate page.
What Happens When You Deactivate Facebook
Once you successfully deactivate your account, here are some key things to know:
- Your profile is hidden until you reactivate it. Other people will no longer be able to search for or view your profile.
- You cannot post content, update information, use Messenger, or interact with Facebook in any way.
- Your data and connections remain stored in Facebook’s systems. Nothing is deleted.
- You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in with your username and password.
Essentially deactivating puts your account on pause. All your information remains safely stored and will be there when you choose to come back to Facebook.
How Long Does Deactivation Last?
When you deactivate your Facebook account, it will typically remain dormant for 14 days before being permanently deleted. However, you can log back in at any point during the 14 day window to reactivate your profile and cancel the deletion process.
If you do nothing, after 14 days your profile, posts, photos, friends, and other data will be erased from Facebook’s servers. But again, you have two weeks to change your mind and restore your account if you had a temporary lapse in judgment.
Should You Fully Delete Your Facebook Account?
While deactivating your account just hides it from view, fully deleting it completely removes all your information from Facebook:
- Profile details are erased
- Posts and photos are deleted
- Friend connections are lost
- Messaging history is wiped
There is an option to download all your data before deleting. But once your account is deleted, there is no going back. Your information is gone for good.
Deactivating gives you more flexibility if you want a temporary break from Facebook. But if you are sure you want to leave Facebook forever, deletion may be the better option for a clean break.
Conclusion
While not obvious, the deactivate option does exist within the Facebook and Messenger mobile apps and on the desktop site. Digging into your account settings is the way to find it. Deactivating can give you a nice break from Facebook without losing your profile and connections forever.