Need to know how to deactivate Facebook but don’t know where to start? We’ve got the answers you need and even a few surprises that most people wouldn’t expect.
Every day, thousands of Facebook pages are abandoned as users move on to other social media platforms or simply choose to disconnect from the digital world. Despite deactivating their accounts, many users are unaware that their information remains on Facebook’s servers, allowing the company to continue profiting from their data. This article will guide you through the process of permanently deactivating your Facebook account, ensuring your information is truly removed.
The Easy Option Most People Try
Many users opt for the easy deactivation method, believing their data is no longer accessible. However, this method only hides your profile from view while retaining your data on Facebook’s servers. Here’s how most people deactivate their accounts [1]:
- Open Facebook: Log in to your Facebook account.
- Access Settings: Click on the arrow at the top right corner and select “Settings & Privacy,” then click “Settings.”
- Account Ownership and Control: Navigate to “Your Facebook Information” and click “Account Ownership and Control.” [2]
- Deactivation and Deletion: Select “Deactivation and Deletion.”
- Deactivate Account: Choose “Deactivate Account,” then click “Continue to Account Deactivation.”
Once deactivated, your profile won’t be visible to other users, but Facebook retains your data.
How to Permanently Delete a Facebook Account
To permanently delete your account, follow these steps:
- Log In: Open Facebook and log in to your account.
- Access Settings: Click on the arrow at the top right corner and select “Settings & Privacy,” then click “Settings.”
- Account Ownership and Control: Navigate to “Your Facebook Information” and click “Account Ownership and Control.”
- Deactivation and Deletion: Select “Deactivation and Deletion.”
- Delete Account: Choose “Delete Account,” then click “Continue to Account Deletion.”
- Confirm Deletion: Click “Delete Account,” enter your password, and click “Continue.”
Options When You Click “Deactivate Account” and “Continue Deactivation”
When you choose to deactivate your account, Facebook offers several options to address your concerns:
- Opt Out of Future Notifications: Decide if you want to stop receiving notifications from Facebook.
- Select a Reason for Leaving: Choose from options like “This is temporary. I’ll be back,” or “I don’t feel safe on Facebook.”
- Keep Using Messenger: Choose whether to continue using Facebook Messenger.
This is the key difference between the 2 options. Yes, Facebook still retains information on a user if they delete their account but choose to continue using Messenger. When you deactivate your Facebook account but keep Messenger active, Facebook retains your Messenger information and allows you to continue chatting with friends. Your profile will still be visible in Messenger, and your friends can still message you. The account deletion process only removes the Facebook account, not the data associated with Messenger.
Here are the key points:
- Messenger Access: When you deactivate your Facebook account but retain Messenger, you can still use Messenger to chat with friends. Your Facebook friends can still message you on Messenger, and your profile remains visible to them.
- Data Retention: Facebook retains your messages, photos, and videos shared on Messenger. Even if you delete your Facebook account entirely, any messages you have sent will remain in the recipients’ Messenger app, although the sender’s name may no longer be visible.
- Account Deletion: To completely remove your data from Facebook’s servers, you need to delete both your Facebook account and Messenger account. Simply deactivating the Facebook account while keeping Messenger active does not achieve this.
Deleting the Account of a Deceased Person
If you have permission to delete the account of someone who has passed away, you can follow these steps:
- Submit a Request: Go to Facebook’s Help Center and select “Request removal of a deceased family member’s account” [3].
- Provide Documentation: You may need to provide proof of death, such as a death certificate, and proof of your authority, such as power of attorney or birth certificate.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that your information is truly deleted from Facebook’s servers can bring a sense of relief. Whether you’re deleting your account or that of a loved one, following these steps ensures your data is no longer accessible, giving you peace of mind.