How to permanently delete your Facebook account

How to permanently delete your Facebook account

Facebook lacks a kill switch for instant account deletion.

Instead, you must go through a tedious process of submitting an account deletion request via a web form. Once your submission has been confirmed and 14 days have passed, your account will be permanently deleted from Facebook’s servers with no option for recovery.

After deleting your account, no one will be able to see it on Facebook.

Step 1: Log in to Facebook’s desktop interface on your computer.

Step 2: Follow this link to delete your account. A prompt pops up, warning you that Facebook won’t be able to reactivate the account or retrieve any of the content or information you have added.

Step 3: Click the blue button labeled Delete My Account to proceed.

Step 4: A new pop-up offers you a chance to change your mind, asking “You are about to permanently delete your account. Are you sure?”.

If you’re absolutely sure that you won’t be needing your Facebook account again, enter your password and security check, then click OK.

Step 5: A message appears confirming the account deletion is pending, giving you another chance to revert your decision should you change your mind.

“Your account has been deactivated from the site and will be permanently deleted within 14 days,” the message reads. Check your email for a message with the subject “Account Scheduled for Deletion” and a link to cancel the pending deletion request, if you want.

Step 6: Don’t forget to delete cache and cookies for each browser that logged into Facebook, on all devices, because saved login credentials might unintentionally trigger account reactivation.

If you’re using iCloud Keychain, remove saved Facebook passwords from in Settings → Safari → Passwords. If you’re using other browsers, make sure to remove any saved Facebook credentials, too.

IMPORTANT: As mentioned, logging back into your account during the 14-day deletion window automatically cancels your request and reactivates the account, asking you to either Cancel Deletion or Confirm Deletion.

Once Facebook permanently deletes your account, you won’t be able to bring it back or retrieve anything you’ve added to it. Past the 14-day window, it takes up to 90 days to delete everything you posted on the service and remove other data stored in Facebook’s backup systems.