How to Delete or Deactivate Your Facebook Account

Facebook's reputation has suffered a lot of blows over the years, with privacy and disinformation significant factors. People worldwide use Facebook to connect with friends and family and participate in meaningless disputes with strangers about mildly entertaining cat videos. However, although some people believe that social media is a necessary part of life, others are concerned about data breaches and privacy concerns.

What Happens When You Deactivate Your Facebook Account?

When you deactivate your Facebook account, others cannot see your timeline or find you. However, some information, such as messages you sent, may still be visible. Additionally, you will not have access to Oculus Products or information through your Facebook account. You can reactivate your Facebook account at any time.

What Happens When You Delete Your Facebook Account?

Deleting your Facebook account is a permanent decision, and you cannot restore it. Facebook temporarily postpones deletion for a few days after the request is made, but if you log in to your account during this period, your request will be canceled.

It's important to note that some information, such as message history, may not be saved in your account and may still be accessible to your friends. Additionally, if you log in to Oculus using your Facebook account, deleting your account will result in deleting your Oculus information, including app purchases and accomplishments. All store credits will be forfeited, and you can no longer return applications.

The decision to deactivate or delete your Facebook account should be made carefully, taking into consideration the potential consequences. While deactivating provides temporary relief, deletion is a permanent solution that should not be taken lightly. Before making a decision, it's crucial to understand each option's implications and consider its impact on your personal information and online presence.

How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account on a PC

Here's how to deactivate your Facebook account on a PC through a browser. 

1. Go to the Facebook Delete Page and click on “Deactivate Account” to deactivate your Facebook account
    
   The “Deactivate Account” option will deactivate your Facebook account but will allow you to keep your Messenger account active.
    
   
   
2. Type in your Facebook password and click on “Continue” to confirm deactivating your Facebook account
    
   
   
3. OR, go to your account, click on the Facebook “Profile” icon at the top and select “Settings & privacy” from the options
    
   
   
4. In “Settings & privacy”, click on “Settings” to go to your Facebook settings
    
   
   
5. Open “Deactivation and deletion”
    
   Click “Your Facebook information” in your Facebook settings and select “Deactivation and deletion” from the options.
    
   
   
6. Check the “Deactivate account” radio button, and click on “Continue to Account Deactivation”
    
   
   
7. Type in your Facebook password and click on “Continue” to confirm deactivating your Facebook account
    
   

How to Deactivate Your Facebook Account on Android or iOS

Here's how to deactivate your Facebook account using your Smartphone.

1. Tap the “Menu” icon under the “Messenger” icon at the top right corner of your screen
    
   
   
2. Scroll down and tap “Settings & Privacy” at the bottom of your screen
    
   
   
3. Open “Settings”
    
   Under “Settings & Privacy”, tap “Settings” to open up the Facebook settings.
    
   
   
4. Open “Personal and account information”
    
   In your Facebook settings, under “Account”, tap “Personal and account information”.
    
   
   
5. In “Personal and account information”, tap “Account ownership and control” 
    
   
   
6. Tap on “Deactivation and deletion”
    
   In the “Account ownership and control”, tap on “Deactivation and deletion” to proceed further.
    
   
   
7. Tap on “Deactivate account”, and tap “Continue to account deactivation”
    
   
   
8. Type in your Facebook password and tap “Continue” to confirm deactivating your Facebook account
    
   

How to Delete Your Facebook Account From a Browser

Here's how to delete your Facebook account on a PC using a browser.

1. Go to the Facebook Delete Page and click on “Delete Account” to deactivate your Facebook account
    
   
   
2. Type in your Facebook password and click on “Continue” to confirm deleting your Facebook account
    
   

How to Delete Your Facebook Account on Android or iOS

Here's how to delete your Facebook account on your Smartphone.

1. Tap the “Menu” icon under the “Messenger” icon at the top right corner of your screen
    
   
   
2. Scroll down and tap “Settings & Privacy” at the bottom of your screen
    
   
   
3. Open “Settings”
    
   Under “Settings & Privacy”, tap “Settings” to open up the Facebook settings.
    
   
   
4. Open “Personal and account information”
    
   In your Facebook settings, under “Account”, tap “Personal and account information”.
    
   
   
5. In “Personal and account information”, tap “Account ownership and control” 
    
   
   
6. Tap on “Deactivation and deletion”
    
   In the “Account ownership and control”, tap on “Deactivation and deletion” to proceed further.
    
   
   
7. Tap on “Delete account”, and tap “Continue to account deletion”
    
   
   
8. Tap “Continue to account deletion” to confirm deleting your Facebook account
    
   
   
9. In “Account deletion”, tap on the blue “Delete account” button at the bottom
    
   
   
10. Type in your Facebook password and tap “Continue” to confirm deleting your Facebook account
     
    

Extra: How to Log out of Facebook on All Devices at Once

Given the number of Facebook-enabled gadgets on the market and the frequency with which we connect to Facebook in other places, it's easy to lose track of where you're signed in. There are situations when you wish to leave Facebook without completely abandoning the network and when the ability to log out of your account is useful. Thankfully, Facebook includes a capability to select and choose which account is presently signed in or to log out of Facebook everywhere.