This wikiHow teaches you how to temporarily delete a Facebook profile from the Facebook site. However, you can still return to your profile by logging into your account. Keep in mind that this process is different from the process of permanently deleting a Facebook account.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Temporarily Deleting Profile Via Facebook Mobile App
Step 1. Open Facebook
This app is marked by a white “f” icon on a dark blue background. If you are already logged in to your account, you will be taken directly to the news feed page.
If you're not logged into your Facebook account on your Android device, type in your email address and password, then tap “ Sign in ” to review the newsfeed page.
Step 2. Touch
It's in the lower-right corner of the screen (iPhone) or in the upper-right corner of the screen (Android).
Step 3. Scroll to the screen and touch Settings (“Settings”)
Skip this step if you are using an Android device.
Step 4. Touch Account Settings (“Account Settings”)
It's at the top of the pop-up menu (iPhone) or at the bottom of the “ ☰(Android).
Step 5. Touch General (“General”)
This tab is at the top of the screen.
Step 6. Touch Manage Account (“Manage Account”)
This option is at the bottom of the page.
Step 7. Touch Deactivate ("Deactivate")
This link is to the right of the " Account " heading.
Step 8. Enter the account password, then tap Continue
After that, you will be taken to the account deactivation page.
Step 9. Touch the reason for account deactivation
If you select the option Other ” (“Other”) at the bottom of the segment, you need to type the reason for account deactivation.
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If you want Facebook to reactivate your account after about a week or less, tap “ This is temporary. I'll be back.
” (“This is temporary. I'll be back.”) and select the account deactivation duration (in days).
Step 10. Touch Close if prompted to take a separate step
If the selected reason is deemed “resolved” by Facebook, you will receive a pop-u message with an alternative (optional) action. Touch Close ” (“Close”) to delete or close the pop-up message.
Step 11. Turn off email and/or Messenger notifications if you prefer
To turn off notifications, touch the boxes next to the “ Opt out of receiving future emails from Facebook ” (“Refused to receive future emails from Facebook”) and “ Keep me signed into Messenger ” (“Keep me logged in to Messenger”).
Step 12. Tap Deactivate ("Deactivate")
It's at the bottom of the page. After that, the account will be deactivated.
- You may be asked to re-enter your password before deactivation.
- You can reactivate your account by logging into Facebook the next time you open the app.
Method 2 of 2: Temporarily Deleting Profiles on Mac and PC Computers
Step 1. Visit the Facebook website
Access the site at If you are already logged in to your account, you will be taken to the news feed page.
If you're not logged into your account, type in your email address (or phone number) in the top right corner of the screen and your account password, then click “ Login ” (“Log in”) to continue.
Step 2. Click “▼”
It's in the top-right corner of the Facebook page, right next to the “ ?
Once clicked, a drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Click Settings (“Settings”)
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click the General tab ("General")
It's in the top-left corner of the page.
Step 5. Click Manage Account (“Manage Account”)
This is the last option on the page.
Step 6. Click the " Deactivate your account " link
This option is above the “ Close" ("Closed").
Step 7.
Type in the Facebook account password.
Enter the password in the field in the middle of the page.
Click Continue (“Continue”). As long as the correct password is entered, you will be taken to the account deactivation page.
Click the reason for deactivation. Select a reason in the " Reason for leaving " section at the bottom of the page.
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If you want Facebook to reactivate your account automatically after about a week or less, click the “ This is temporary. I'll be back.
” (“This is temporary. I'll be back.”) and select the account deactivation duration (in days).
Click Close if prompted to take a separate step. Facebook may suggest that you sign out of your account or add friends instead of deactivating your account, depending on the reason for deactivation you choose.
Review exit options. Before deactivating your account, you can check or uncheck the following options:
- ” Email opt-out ” (“Reject email”) – Check this box to prevent Facebook from sending you emails.
- ” Messenger ” (“Messenger”) – This option is used to disable Facebook Messenger. If you don't check this box, people will still be able to find you and send messages through Messenger.
- ” Delete applications ” (“Delete app”) – If you are a developer at Facebook and have already created an app, your work will be displayed on this page. By checking this box, you will also remove applications created from the developer profile.
Click Deactivate ("Deactivate"). It's a blue button at the bottom of the page.
You may need to re-enter your password after going through this step
Click Deactivate Now when prompted. After that, the account will be deactivated. If you wish to reactivate your account at any time, simply visit the Facebook login page, enter your account email address and password, then click the “ Login " ("Enter").
Tips
When deactivating your account, all information on your profile will be saved in case you ever want to re-access your account
Warning
- Deactivate the account only when absolutely necessary. If you temporarily deactivate your account too often then, after a period of time, you can't simply reactivate your account.
- The only way to permanently delete sensitive information from Facebook's servers is to delete the account.
