How to Deactivate or Delete Facebook on iPhone

This guide walks you through deactivating or permanently deleting your Facebook account directly from the Facebook app on your iPhone. Deactivation is temporary and hides your profile, while deletion is permanent and begins a 30-day grace period before your data is removed. You can complete both processes entirely on your phone.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with the Facebook app installed and logged in.
Your Facebook password (required for both actions).
Access to the email address or phone number linked to your account (for deletion confirmation).

Step-by-Step

To Deactivate Your Account (Temporary)

Open the Facebook app on your iPhone.
Tap the profile icon (your photo) in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
Scroll down and tap Settings & privacy, then tap Settings.
Scroll down to the Your space section and tap Personal details.
Tap Account ownership and control.
Tap Deactivation and deletion.
Select Deactivate account, then tap Continue to account deactivation.
Enter your Facebook password and tap Continue.
Choose a reason for deactivating (optional) and tap Continue.
Tap Deactivate my account to confirm.

To Delete Your Account (Permanent)

Follow steps 1 through 7 from the deactivation instructions above.
Select Delete account, then tap Continue to account deletion.
Read the warning about what deletion means (losing photos, posts, and Messenger history). Tap Delete account.
Enter your Facebook password and tap Continue.
Tap Delete my account to confirm.
Facebook will send a confirmation link to your linked email or phone number. Open it and click Confirm Deletion to start the 30-day grace period.

Common Mistakes

Choosing the wrong option: Many users tap “Deactivate” when they actually want a permanent delete, or vice versa. Read each screen carefully before confirming.
Skipping the email confirmation: For deletion, the process is not complete until you click the link in the email or text from Facebook. If you skip it, your account stays active.
Logging back in during the 30-day grace period: If you log in after requesting deletion, the deletion is automatically canceled. You must wait the full 30 days without logging in.
Expecting Messenger to disappear: Deactivating your Facebook account does not deactivate Messenger. You can still be reached there unless you deactivate Messenger separately.
Thinking deactivation deletes data: Deactivation only hides your profile. All your data remains intact and reappears when you log back in.

Tips

Download your data first: Before deleting, go to Settings > Your Facebook information > Download your information to save a copy of your photos, posts, and messages.
Disconnect linked apps: Before deletion, revoke access for third-party apps that use Facebook Login (like Spotify or Instagram) to avoid login issues later.
Use the website if the app fails: If the in-app menu doesn’t work, open Safari and go to facebook.com, tap your profile icon, then Settings & privacy > Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control.
Deactivate Messenger separately: If you want a full break, deactivate Messenger too: open Messenger, tap your profile photo, then Account settings > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivate.
Remember the 30-day window: For deletion, you can cancel anytime within 30 days by logging in. After that, the deletion is irreversible.

Troubleshooting

I can’t find the “Deactivation and deletion” menu. Make sure your Facebook app is updated to the latest version. If it still doesn’t appear, use a mobile browser (Safari) and go to facebook.com, then follow the same path under Settings > Privacy > Your Facebook information.

I forgot my password and can’t confirm. Use the “Forgot password” link on the login screen to reset it via email or SMS. You must have access to the linked email or phone number.

The deletion confirmation email never arrives. Check your spam or junk folder. Also verify that the email shown on the confirmation screen is the one you currently use. If it’s outdated, update your contact info before requesting deletion.

My account was reactivated after I requested deletion. This happens if you (or someone with your password) logged in during the 30-day grace period. Log out of all devices and don’t log in again. You’ll need to re-request deletion.

The app crashes when I try to delete. Force-close the app (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Facebook card away), restart your iPhone, then try again. If it persists, uninstall and reinstall the app, then log in and repeat the steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to permanently delete my account?
A: After you confirm via the email link, there is a 30-day grace period. After that, Facebook begins deleting your data, which can take up to 90 days to fully remove from backups.

Q: Can I reactivate my account after deactivation?
A: Yes, deactivation is temporary. Simply log back in with your email/phone and password, and your profile will be restored exactly as you left it.

Q: Will my messages be deleted if I delete my account?
A: Your messages in Messenger will be deleted, but messages you sent to others may remain visible in their inbox (though your name may show as “Facebook User”).

Q: Can I use Facebook Marketplace or Oculus after deactivation?
A: No. Deactivation disables all Facebook features, including Marketplace and Oculus login. You’ll lose access until you reactivate.

Q: What happens to my Instagram if it’s linked to my Facebook?
A: Deleting your Facebook account does not delete your Instagram. However, you may lose the ability to cross-post and log in to some third-party apps that rely on Facebook Login.

Q: Can I delete my account from the app without a password?
A: No. Facebook requires your password to confirm both deactivation and deletion. If you don’t know it, reset it first.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →