How to Deactivate Facebook
Temporarily hide your Facebook profile — data stays safe, reactivate anytime
⚡Quick Answer
Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion > Deactivate account. Your profile hides instantly. Log back in anytime to reactivate.
Step-by-Step Guide
Understand Deactivate vs Delete
Deactivation is temporary — your profile, photos, and friends list are hidden from others, but Facebook keeps all your data. Deletion is permanent — all data is erased after 30 days. This guide covers deactivation only.
Go to Settings & Accounts Center
Open Facebook and tap the menu (☰). Go to Settings & privacy > Settings. Scroll down and tap Accounts Center. Then go to Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.
Choose Deactivation
Select your Facebook account from the list. Choose Deactivate account (not Delete). Select a reason for deactivating and tap Continue.
Confirm and Know How to Reactivate
Enter your password and tap Deactivate. Your profile is now hidden from everyone. To reactivate, simply log back into Facebook with your email and password — your account restores instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my data when I deactivate Facebook?
All your data — posts, photos, friends, messages — is preserved by Facebook. Nothing is deleted. Your profile simply becomes invisible to other users until you log back in.
Can people still message me on Messenger while deactivated?
Yes. Messenger remains active even when your Facebook account is deactivated. You can still send and receive messages through the Messenger app.
How long can I keep my Facebook account deactivated?
There is no time limit. You can stay deactivated indefinitely. Facebook will not automatically delete a deactivated account — only a deletion request starts the 30-day countdown.