Do you have multiple Facebook accounts and want to declutter your digital life? Deleting one of your accounts can be a quick and easy way to simplify your online presence. Whether you have a duplicate account, an old account you no longer use, or one that’s been compromised, removing it can help you regain control of your personal information and protect your privacy. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to delete one of your Facebook accounts, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process.
Before you proceed with deleting your account, it’s crucial to safeguard your data. Facebook allows you to download a copy of your information, including posts, photos, videos, and messages. This backup can be valuable if you ever want to access your content in the future. To download your data, go to your Facebook settings, click “Your Facebook Information,” and then select “Download Your Information.” Once you have a backup of your data, you can proceed with deleting your account.
To delete your account, go to the Facebook Account Deletion page. You will be prompted to enter your password to confirm your identity. Once you enter your password, click “Continue.” Facebook will then ask you to choose a reason for deleting your account. Select the appropriate reason from the dropdown menu and click “Continue.” On the next page, you will be given a final chance to review your decision. If you are certain that you want to delete your account, click “Delete Account.”
Backing Up Important Data
Before deleting one of your Facebook accounts, it is crucial to safeguard your valuable data. Here’s a detailed guide to assist you with the backup process:
Step 1: Download a Copy of Your Facebook Data
1. Log in to the Facebook account you wish to delete.
2. Click on the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Settings & Privacy,” then “Settings.”
4. In the left menu, click “Your Facebook Information” and then “Download Your Information.”
5. Choose the format and quality of your data backup.
6. Click “Create File.”
Step 2: Filter and Select Specific Data
1. Once the file is ready, click “Download Archive.”
2. Enter your Facebook password to confirm the download.
3. In the “Select what to download” section, uncheck the boxes for data you don’t need.
4. Use the “Create New Archive” option to customize your backup further.
Step 3: Additional Data Backup Options
In addition to the general data backup, consider these additional measures to ensure you capture all your important information:
Data Type | Backup Method |
---|---|
Messages | Use a third-party app or browser extension |
Photos and Videos | Download individual files or use the Google Photos Backup Tool |
Events and Groups | Export event or group information from the respective pages |
Deactivating the Account Temporarily
If you’re not quite ready to bid farewell to your second Facebook account, deactivating it is a good option. By deactivating, your profile, photos, and posts will be hidden from public view. However, you can reactivate your account at any time by simply logging back in.
To deactivate your account, follow these steps:
- Click the down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” and then “Settings”.
- Under the “General” tab, click “Manage Account”.
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- Click “Deactivate Account”.
- Confirm your password and click “Continue”.
Your account will now be deactivated. To reactivate it, simply log back into Facebook using your email address and password.
Things to Consider Before Deactivating Your Account
Before deactivating your account, it’s essential to consider the following:
Considerations |
---|
You will not be able to access your account, including messages and photos. |
Your profile will be hidden from public view, but your friends may still see your name and profile picture in their friend lists. |
Deactivating your account multiple times in a short period may result in it being permanently deleted. |
Deactivating Friends and Unfollowing Pages
Once you’ve decided which account you want to keep, it’s time to deactivate your friends and unfollow pages on the account you’re deleting. Here’s how:
Deactivating Friends
-
Go to your profile.
-
Click on the “Friends” tab.
-
Click on the “Deactivate” button next to each friend you want to remove.
Unfollowing Pages
-
Go to your profile.
-
Click on the “Pages” tab.
-
Click on the “Unfollow” button next to each page you want to remove.
Note that deactivating friends and unfollowing pages does not delete them from your account. If you ever reactivate your account, your friends and pages will still be there. However, deactivating friends and unfollowing pages will help to keep your timeline clean and free of clutter from the account you’re deleting.
Deactivating Friends |
Unfollowing Pages |
---|---|
Go to your profile. Click on the “Friends” tab. Click on the “Deactivate” button next to each friend you want to remove. |
Go to your profile. Click on the “Pages” tab. Click on the “Unfollow” button next to each page you want to remove. |
Making a List of Deactivated Data
Before you delete one of your Facebook accounts, it’s important to make a list of all the data that will be deactivated with it. This includes:
• Personal information: Your name, profile picture, cover photo, and other personal data will be removed.
• Posts and comments: All of your posts and comments will be deleted, including those in groups and on other people’s timelines.
• Photos and videos: All of your photos and videos will be removed, including those you’ve shared with others.
• Messages: All of your messages will be deleted, including those in group chats.
• Friends and followers: All of your friends and followers will be removed, and you will no longer be able to see their content.
• Groups and pages: You will be removed from all groups and pages that you’re a member of, and you will no longer be able to access their content.
• Apps and games: All of the apps and games that you’ve connected to your Facebook account will be disconnected, and you will no longer be able to access their data.
• Payment information: If you’ve added any payment information to your Facebook account, it will be removed.
• Login information: Your Facebook login information will be deleted, and you will no longer be able to access your account.
Waiting for the Grace Period
After you initiate the deactivation process, Facebook will provide a 30-day grace period before permanently deleting your account. During this period, you will have the option to reactivate your account if you change your mind.
Remember that your account will be permanently deleted after the grace period expires. All of your data, including photos, videos, posts, and messages, will be erased. If you would like to recover any of your data before the grace period ends, you can download it through Facebook’s data download tool.
Important Notes:
Requirement | Detail |
---|---|
Account Access | You will need to be logged into the account you want to delete. |
Reactivation | To reactivate your account, simply log back in before the grace period expires. |
Data Retrieval | Download your data through Facebook’s data download tool before the grace period ends to avoid losing it permanently. |
Removing the Account Permanently
If you’re absolutely sure you want to delete your Facebook account permanently, follow these steps:
1. Download your Facebook data
Before deleting your account, you may want to download a copy of your Facebook data. This includes your posts, photos, videos, and messages.
2. Go to the Delete Your Account page
Log into Facebook and go to the Delete Your Account page.
3. Click the “Delete My Account” button
Enter your password and click the “Delete My Account” button.
4. Wait 30 days
Once you delete your account, you have 30 days to reactivate it. After 30 days, your account will be permanently deleted.
5. If you change your mind
If you change your mind within 30 days of deleting your account, you can reactivate it by logging back into Facebook.
6. What happens when you delete your account?
When you delete your Facebook account, your profile, posts, photos, videos, and messages will be permanently deleted. You will not be able to recover any of this data.
7. What happens to your Messenger account?
If you use Messenger, you will need to create a new account after you delete your Facebook account.
8. What happens to your Facebook login?
If you use Facebook to log into other websites or apps, you will need to find a new way to log into those accounts. You can create a new Facebook account with a different email address or use a different login method, such as Google or Apple.
Confirming Account Deletion
Once you have initiated the account deletion process, Facebook will provide you with a confirmation page. This page will display the following information:
1. The date on which your account will be permanently deleted
2. The reason you are deleting your account
3. A reminder that you will no longer be able to access your account or any of its associated data once it is deleted
4. A button that allows you to cancel the deletion process
5. A link to Facebook’s help center for additional support
Important: Do not click the “Cancel” button unless you are sure you do not want to delete your account. Once you have clicked the “Cancel” button, you will not be able to recover your account.
After you have reviewed the confirmation page, click the “Delete My Account” button. Your account will then be permanently deleted on the date specified on the confirmation page.
Action | Description |
---|---|
Click the “Delete My Account” button | Your account will be permanently deleted on the date specified on the confirmation page |
Click the “Cancel” button | The deletion process will be canceled, and you will be able to continue using your account |
Contact Facebook’s help center | You can get additional support with the account deletion process |
Post-Deletion Considerations
1. Account Recovery
If you change your mind within 30 days of deletion, you can recover your account by logging in with your email address and password.
2. Messenger Access
After deleting your account, you will lose access to any Messenger conversations associated with it. Consider exporting your conversations before deletion.
3. Linked Accounts
Remove your Facebook account from any third-party apps or services to prevent future login issues.
4. Shared Content
Content you posted or shared while logged into your deleted account may still be visible on other users’ pages or in search results.
5. Messenger Payments
Any outstanding Messenger payments will need to be resolved before you can delete your account.
6. Privacy and Data Removal
Although your account will be deleted, certain data may still be stored for legal or security purposes. Request data deletion via Facebook’s privacy center.
7. Accessibility Features
If you rely on Facebook’s accessibility features, such as screen readers or closed captions, ensure they are available elsewhere before deleting your account.
8. Facebook Pixel
If you have installed the Facebook pixel on your website, remove it to prevent continued data collection.
9. Business Integrations
Disconnect your Facebook account from any business pages or integrations to avoid disruption to your business presence.
10. Backup and Archive
Consider downloading a copy of your Facebook data before deletion to preserve important memories and information. You can download a compressed file from the “Settings & Privacy” menu.
File Format | Contents Included |
---|---|
HTML |
|
JSON |
|
If You Have Two Facebook Accounts How To Delete One
Having multiple Facebook accounts can be a hassle, especially if you’re trying to keep track of all of your notifications and messages. If you’ve decided that you no longer need one of your Facebook accounts, you can easily delete it.
Here are the steps on how to delete one of your Facebook accounts:
- Log in to the Facebook account that you want to delete.
- Click on the down arrow in the top right corner of the screen and select “Settings & Privacy”.
- Click on “Settings”.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Your Facebook Information”.
- Click on “Deactivation and Deletion”.
- Select “Delete Account” and then click on “Continue”.
- Enter your password and click on “Delete Account”.
Your account will now be permanently deleted. Please note that this process cannot be undone, so make sure that you’re absolutely certain that you want to delete your account before you proceed.
People Also Ask
What happens to my data when I delete my Facebook account?
When you delete your Facebook account, all of your personal data, including your photos, videos, and messages, will be permanently deleted. However, some information, such as your name and profile picture, may still be visible to others if they have shared it or saved it.
Can I reactivate my Facebook account after I delete it?
No, once you delete your Facebook account, it cannot be reactivated. If you change your mind, you will need to create a new account.
How can I merge two Facebook accounts?
Facebook does not allow you to merge two accounts. However, you can add friends from one account to the other and then delete the account that you no longer need.