Does deleting Facebook also delete my Messenger account?

Yes — deleting your Facebook account also deletes the linked Messenger account and all conversations. If you want to keep Messenger without Facebook, the option is to deactivate Facebook while keeping Messenger active. There is no way to permanently delete Facebook while retaining Messenger.

Can a Facebook account be recovered after deletion?

Recovery is only possible within the 30-day grace period after submitting the deletion request — simply logging back in automatically cancels the deletion. After the 30-day window closes, the account and all its data cannot be recovered by any means. Always download your data archive before proceeding.

Will deleting Facebook remove my name and information from Google search results?

The deletion process can take up to 90 days to remove data from Facebook's servers, and search engines like Google need additional time to update their index. Your name may linger in search results temporarily before gradually disappearing. To expedite removal, you can use Google's URL Removal Tool for specific cached pages.

What happens to pages, events, and groups I created?

Pages you solely administer will be deleted along with your account. Groups you manage alone will also be deleted. Groups with multiple admins will be retained by the remaining administrators. If you have an important page or group, transfer ownership or assign another admin before deleting your account.

Is there a better alternative to permanent deletion for protecting privacy?

If you're uncertain about permanent deletion, consider deactivating the account temporarily and waiting a month or two to see whether you miss it. Alternatively, keep the account while tightening privacy settings: set your profile to private, revoke app permissions, disable face recognition, and remove personal details like your phone number and email address from your public profile.

How to permanently delete a Facebook account — The difference between deactivation and deletion and detailed steps 2026

How to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account — Complete 2026 Guide

Millions of users want to delete their Facebook accounts for various reasons — privacy concerns, wasted time, or simply stepping away from social media. This guide explains the key difference between deactivating and deleting, and walks through every step of permanent deletion.

The Key Difference: Deactivation vs. Permanent Deletion

Deactivating your account is a temporary measure — your profile, photos, and posts become invisible to others but remain stored on Facebook's servers. You can return at any time simply by logging back in. Messenger may remain active.

Permanently deleting your account is irreversible — after a 30-day grace period, your photos, posts, personal information, and friends list are permanently erased. There is no recovery after this window closes.

Before Deleting: Download Your Data

Before deleting, download a copy of your data if you want to keep photos, posts, or messages:

On desktop: Click your profile picture in the top right → Settings & Privacy → Settings → Your Facebook Information → Download Your Information → select the date range and data types → click Request Archive. Wait for Facebook's email notification that the archive is ready, then download it.

Steps to Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account

From a Computer:

Log into your account at facebook.com
Click your profile picture in the top right corner
Select "Settings & Privacy" → "Settings"
In the left menu, select "Your Facebook Information"
Click "Deactivation and Deletion"
Select "Delete Account" → click "Continue to Account Deletion"
Click "Delete Account," enter your password to confirm
Click "Continue" → "Delete Account"

Direct link: facebook.com/help/delete_account

From the Mobile App (Android and iPhone):

Open the Facebook app
Tap the menu icon (☰) or the bottom-right tab
Go to "Settings & Privacy" → "Settings"
Scroll down and tap "Your Facebook Information"
Tap "Deactivation and Deletion"
Select "Delete Account" → "Continue to Account Deletion"
Enter your password and confirm deletion

The 30-Day Window and What Happens Next

After confirming the deletion request:

Your account is suspended immediately — no one can see it
You have 30 days to cancel the deletion by logging back in and canceling the request
After 30 days, Facebook begins the actual deletion process which can take up to 90 additional days to remove all data from their servers
Some content, such as messages you sent to other people, may remain visible to recipients even after your account is deleted

What Happens to Apps Linked to Facebook?

If you use Facebook to log into other apps (Spotify, Airbnb, games, etc.), you'll lose access to those accounts. Before deleting: log into each linked app and set up an independent email and password, or use the "Apps and Websites" section in Facebook settings to review and unlink all connected applications.