Deactivating your Facebook account is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you deactivate your account on both desktop and mobile devices.
Table of Contents
Deactivating Your Facebook Account on Desktop
- Log In to Facebook
- Open your web browser and go to Facebook.
- Log in with your username and password.
- Access Account Settings
- Click on the Account icon (downward-facing triangle) in the top-right corner of the Facebook page.
- Select Settings & privacy from the dropdown menu.
- Click on Settings.
- Navigate to Your Facebook Information
- In the left-hand menu, click on Your Facebook Information.
- Deactivate Your Account
- Click on Deactivation and Deletion.
- Select Deactivate Account and then click on Continue to Account Deactivation.
- Confirm Deactivation
- Facebook will ask you to provide a reason for deactivating your account. Choose a reason from the list provided.
- You may be given the option to opt-out of receiving emails from Facebook. If you do not wish to receive emails, check the box.
- Click on Deactivate to confirm.
Deactivating Your Facebook Account on Mobile
Using the Facebook App
- Open the Facebook App
- Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Access Menu
- Tap on the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) located in the bottom-right corner (iOS) or top-right corner (Android).
- Go to Settings & Privacy
- Scroll down and tap on Settings & Privacy.
- Tap on Settings.
- Your Facebook Information
- Scroll down to the Your Facebook Information section.
- Tap on Account Ownership and Control.
- Deactivate Your Account
- Tap on Deactivation and Deletion.
- Select Deactivate Account and then tap on Continue to Account Deactivation.
- Confirm Deactivation
- Provide a reason for deactivating your account when prompted.
- You may choose to opt-out of receiving emails from Facebook by checking the appropriate box.
- Tap on Deactivate to confirm.
Important Notes
- Temporary Deactivation: Deactivating your account is temporary. Your profile will be hidden, and people won’t be able to search for you, but your information will not be deleted. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in.
- Messenger: If you use Facebook Messenger, deactivating your account will not deactivate Messenger. You will need to deactivate Messenger separately if you do not want to use it.
- Data Preservation: Deactivation does not delete your data. If you want to permanently delete your account and all its data, you will need to select the “Delete Account” option instead of “Deactivate Account.”
By following these steps, you can successfully deactivate your Facebook account, giving you a break from the social network while preserving your data for future use if you decide to return.