Considering taking a break from social media or concerned about your online privacy? Facebook offers options to temporarily suspend or permanently delete your account. Understanding the difference between these choices is crucial for managing your digital footprint. This guide will walk you through exactly how to suspend your Facebook account, whether temporarily or permanently, ensuring you make the choice that best fits your needs.
Deactivating Your Facebook Account: Temporary Suspension
Deactivating your Facebook account is like hitting the pause button. It’s a temporary suspension that allows you to take a break from the platform without losing all your data. Here’s how to deactivate your account on both desktop and mobile:
Deactivating Facebook on a Computer
- Access Settings & Privacy: Click on your profile picture located in the top right corner of Facebook. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings & Privacy,” and then click on “Settings.”
- Go to Accounts Center: In the top-left corner of the Settings page, you’ll find “Accounts Center.” Click on it.
- Navigate to Personal Details: Within the Accounts Center, locate and click on “Personal Details.”
- Account Ownership and Control: Under “Personal Details,” select “Account ownership and control.”
- Deactivation or Deletion: Choose “Deactivation or deletion.” You might be prompted to select your Facebook profile if you have linked accounts.
- Select Deactivate Account: Choose “Deactivate Account” and then “Continue.” Facebook will present you with options regarding notifications and automatic reactivation. Choose your preferences and proceed to confirm deactivation.
Deactivating Facebook on iOS or Android
- Open Menu: Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) usually located at the bottom right (iOS) or top right (Android) of the Facebook app.
- Settings & Privacy: Scroll down and tap “Settings & Privacy,” then tap “Settings.”
- Accounts Center: Tap “See more in Accounts Center.”
- Personal Details: Tap “Personal Details.”
- Account Ownership and Control: Tap “Account ownership and control.”
- Deactivation or Deletion: Tap “Deactivation or deletion.” Select your Facebook profile.
- Deactivate Account: Choose “Deactivate Account” and tap “Continue.” Follow the prompts to finalize your temporary suspension.
You can reactivate your account at any time simply by logging back into Facebook with your credentials.
Deleting Your Facebook Account: Permanent Removal
Deleting your Facebook account is a permanent action. It erases your profile, photos, posts, and videos. If you’re certain you want to leave Facebook permanently, here’s how to delete your account:
Deleting Facebook on a Computer
- Access Settings & Privacy: Follow steps 1-4 as described in the “Deactivating Facebook on a Computer” section to reach “Account ownership and control.”
- Deactivation or Deletion: Choose “Deactivation or deletion.” Select your Facebook profile.
- Select Delete Account: Choose “Delete Account” and then “Continue.” Facebook will provide information about permanent deletion and data download options.
- Confirm Deletion: Follow the final prompts to confirm the permanent deletion of your account.
Deleting Facebook on iOS or Android
- Open Menu and Navigate to Account Ownership: Follow steps 1-6 as described in the “Deactivating Facebook on iOS or Android” section to reach “Account ownership and control.”
- Deactivation or Deletion: Tap “Deactivation or deletion.” Select your Facebook profile.
- Select Delete Account: Choose “Delete Account” and tap “Continue.” Review the information provided by Facebook.
- Confirm Deletion: Follow the final prompts to confirm the permanent deletion.
Remember, you have a 30-day window to cancel the deletion process by logging back into your account. After 30 days, your account and all its information will be permanently deleted and unrecoverable.
Choosing to suspend or delete your Facebook account depends on your personal needs. Deactivation offers a temporary break, while deletion is a permanent step for those seeking complete removal from the platform. Consider your options carefully before making a decision.
