If you’re trying to deactivate your Facebook account on an iPhone but can’t find the option, there are a few potential reasons and solutions to try.
You can’t directly deactivate Facebook from the iPhone app
The Facebook app for iPhone does not have an option to fully deactivate your account. The only account setting you can change within the iOS app is to log out. So if you want to deactivate your Facebook account, you’ll need to do it from a web browser on your iPhone or another device.
How to log out of the Facebook app on iPhone
To log out of the Facebook app on your iPhone:
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap the three line “hamburger” icon in the bottom right
- Scroll down and tap “Log Out”
- Confirm you want to log out
Logging out signs you out of the app on your iPhone, but does not deactivate your account. Your profile, friends, photos, and all account details remain active unless you deactivate your account.
You must deactivate Facebook from a browser
Because the Facebook app for iPhone does not allow account deactivation, you’ll need to switch to a web browser to deactivate your account. Here are the options:
Use Safari on your iPhone
The Safari web browser comes pre-installed on iPhones. To deactivate Facebook from Safari on your iPhone:
- Open Safari and go to www.facebook.com
- Log into your Facebook account
- Tap the three line “hamburger” icon in the bottom right and select “Settings & Privacy”
- Tap “Settings” and scroll down to “Account Ownership and Control”
- Tap “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Choose “Continue to Account Deactivation” and confirm
Use Google Chrome or another browser app
If you have Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge or another web browser app installed on your iPhone, you can also use that to deactivate Facebook:
- Open the browser app
- Go to www.facebook.com
- Log into your account
- Access the settings menu (usually via hamburger icon)
- Look for “Settings & Privacy” then go to “Settings”
- Scroll down and choose “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Select “Continue to Account Deactivation” and confirm
Use a browser on a computer
If you have trouble deactivating on your iPhone, you can use a web browser on a computer instead:
- On your PC or Mac, open a browser like Chrome, Firefox or Safari
- Go to www.facebook.com
- Log into your account
- Click on the down arrow icon in the top right and choose “Settings & Privacy”
- Click “Settings” and go to “Your Facebook Information”
- Choose “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Select “Continue to Account Deactivation” and confirm
Reasons deactivation may not work on iPhone
If you’re still having trouble deactivating your Facebook account from an iPhone, here are some potential reasons:
Outdated app or iOS version
Make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app and iOS software update installed on your iPhone. Older versions of the app or iOS may not allow deactivation properly.
Access from restricted country
Facebook restricts account deactivation in some countries like China and Iran. If you’re trying to deactivate while signed in from one of these countries, it will not work.
Account security restrictions
If your account was recently compromised or had other security issues, Facebook may restrict deactivation temporarily. You’ll need to resolve any outstanding security issues first.
Facebook site glitches
Like any website, Facebook can have intermittent glitches that break certain functionality. Trying again later often resolves temporary site issues.
Other options if deactivation fails
If deactivating your Facebook account from an iPhone isn’t working, here are a few other options to consider:
Delete the Facebook app
You can delete the Facebook app from your iPhone to accomplish something similar to deactivating. This removes your access to Facebook on your phone, without deactivating:
- Hold your finger down on the Facebook app icon until icons start wiggling
- Tap the “X” to delete the Facebook app from your iPhone
Turn off Facebook notifications
Another option without fully deactivating is to turn off all Facebook notifications and remove shortcuts:
- Go to iPhone Settings > Notifications
- Scroll down and turn off notifications for Facebook
- On your iPhone home screen, remove any Facebook shortcuts or widgets
Log in on a limited basis
If you only want to limit your Facebook access from your iPhone, log out of the app and only log back in occasionally from your computer browser to briefly check your account.
Permanently delete account
If deactivation isn’t working, the nuclear option is to permanently delete your Facebook account altogether. This will remove all your info and cannot be undone.
Conclusion
Deactivating your Facebook account is not possible from the iPhone app – you’ll need to use a mobile or computer web browser. Ensure your app and iOS are up to date, resolve any account restrictions, and avoid glitchy periods on Facebook. If deactivation won’t work, removing the app, turning off notifications, logging in less often, or permanent deletion are some alternatives to consider.