What's the difference between deactivating and deleting Facebook?
Daniel Lopez
Updated on March 05, 2026
The biggest difference between deactivating and deleting a Facebook account is that deactivating your Facebook account gives you the flexibility to return whenever you wish, while deleting your account is a permanent action.
Is it better to deactivate or delete Facebook?
Put simply, if you want to stop using Facebook for good, delete it. On the other hand, if you prefer taking a temporary social media detox, deactivate your account instead. After you deactivate your account, your friends and followers will only see your previously-sent messages.What do my friends see when I deactivate Facebook?
When you deactivate your Facebook account, Facebook does not send out any notification whatsoever. Your friends won't know that you've deactivated your account unless they try to search for your now-deactivated profile or they ask you in the real world.Does deactivating your Facebook delete everything?
Deactivating your Facebook account won't delete any of your data, but it will make your page inaccessible to other users. It might be a good option if you want to take a break from Facebook but don't want to go so far as deleting your account entirely.What happens when you deactivate Facebook?
Your profile, photos, videos and everything else you've added will be permanently deleted. You'll no longer be able to use Facebook Messenger. You won't be able to use your Facebook login for other apps you may have signed up for with your Facebook account, like Spotify or Instagram.Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting Facebook Account Explained 2017
Can someone message me on Facebook when I deactivate?
You can keep using Messenger after you deactivate your Facebook account. If you had a Facebook account and deactivated it, using Messenger won't reactivate your Facebook account, and your Facebook friends can still message you.Why would someone deactivate their Facebook?
Overuse: Because there are so many ways to share on Facebook, the social networking site can become time consuming. If you find that Facebook is taking up too many minutes of your day, using deactivation lets you break the habit of constantly checking your account without losing the comments and photos you've gathered.How long can you temporarily deactivate Facebook?
Facebook Waits 14 Days Before Deleting AccountThe social network said there is no limit on how long a user can keep her account deactivated. But if a Facebook user really wants to make the separation permanent, she can choose to delete the account altogether.