Last updated on January 31st, 2023 at 08:32 pm
Facebook has undergone numerous changes and updates since its creation in 2004.
Today, Facebook is a subsidiary of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg’s tech conglomerate.
However, since there are lots of social media platforms, it is expected that you will want to lower your presence across networks — even your account on Facebook.
It is no news that Facebook is losing users due to its lax attitude to privacy, the divisive nature of its platform and the negative effect of social media on mental health.
So what’s the easiest way to get rid of your Facebook account? There are two methods, they include:
- Deactivation of account
- Deletion of account
Difference Between Deleting and Deactivating a Facebook Account?
A significant difference between deletion and deactivation of a Facebook account is that the former is an irreversible and lasting action, while the latter allows you to regain access to your account whenever you like.
Your profile will no longer be found in search results, and other users won’t be able to access your pictures, status updates and other account information.
However, the only record on your account that may be seen by other users is the chat session in their inbox. Although Facebook admits that your photo can be accessed on other users’ friend lists, it rarely happens.
But Facebook stores your account data. This allows you to easily reactivate your account on time and return to the exact point you left off.
You will be able to instantly retrieve your pictures, videos, statuses, friends and timeline content.
Account deactivation is ideal for specific circumstances.
For instance, you may decide to improve your work performance by limiting your activity on the Facebook platform for a few days, or perhaps you wish to stop your vengeful ex-wife from monitoring your life until things get better.
If your main aim for wishing to cancel your connection to Facebook is privacy-related, then deactivating your Facebook account is not the best course of action.
It won’t in any way rectify the problems for which Facebook has been heavily criticized.
How to Deactivate a Facebook Account
It is easy to deactivate your Facebook account. Here’s a step-by-step guide for account deactivation on different platforms – web browsers, iOS & android devices:
How to deactivate your Facebook account from a browser
Using the exact link that lets you delete your account is also valid for account deactivation. Select Deactivate Account. Next, input your password to suspend access to your Facebook account for a while.
Another method is to utilize the steps below:
- Navigate to the upper right and click Settings & Privacy from the menu list.
- Select Settings.
- Select your Facebook Information.
- Select Deactivation and Deletion
- Click Deactivate Account and select Continue to deactivate your account.
- Input your password to finalize the process.
How to deactivate your Facebook account via iOS device
- Access the Facebook app on your iOS device.
- Select the hamburger menu (3 horizontal lines button)
- Choose Settings & Privacy.
- Select Settings.
- Next, choose Account Ownership and Control.
- Select Deactivation and Deletion.
- Choose Deactivate account.
How to deactivate your Facebook account via the Android app
- Access the Facebook app via your Android smartphone
- Select the hamburger icon ( 3-horizontal line button)
- Choose Settings & Privacy.
- Next, select Settings.
- Then, select Account Ownership and Control.
- Choose Deactivation and Deletion.
- Lastly, select Deactivate Account.
Deleting vs Deactivating Your Facebook Account
Features of Facebook account deactivation
- You have the option to easily reactivate your account anytime you wish.
- No one can access your timeline or search for your profile.
- However, some of your account information can still be accessible to other users (for instance, your sent messages in their inbox).
- Furthermore, the pages you have set up and have sole control and management over will be deactivated. With the deactivation of your page, it will be impossible to find or access your page via search options. A good way to prevent your page from being deactivated along with your account is to add another user as the admin of your page. This way, your page won’t be affected by your account deactivation.
Features of Facebook account deletion
- Once you have deleted your account, you can’t recover it.
- Account deletion does not happen instantly. Facebook generally holds back from deleting your account immediately after you finalize your request. This means that you can cancel your Facebook deletion request whenever you sign into your account during the “hold back” period.
- Plenty of information, including chat sessions, is not saved on your Facebook account. This suggests that your sent messages will still be available to other users you chat with, even after your account is successfully deleted.
- Facebook may still preserve copies of data (including log records) in their database; however, they are devoid of any personal identification.
- Furthermore, the pages you have set up and have sole control and management over will be deleted. A good way to prevent your page from being deleted along with your account is to add another user as the admin of your page. This way, your page won’t be affected by your account deletion.
How to Reactivate a Facebook Account
If you have decided against deactivating your account and want to reactivate your Facebook, just navigate to Facebook’s login webpage and fill out your password & email/phone number.
It takes a few seconds to complete the entire reactivation process.
Tips on Using Facebook Securely
A lot of Facebook users are not interested in deleting or deactivating their Facebook accounts.
However, they are still worried about issues relating to privacy and safety.
In this section, we outline important tips that can assist you in effectively managing your privacy and protecting yourself on Facebook. Let’s explore them below:
- Ensure your Facebook password is strong, long and hard to guess. We recommend that you use a reputable password manager to simplify the process.
- Limit the amount of information you share on Facebook. Malicious attackers and cybercriminals are known to use social engineering.
- Use your discretion when clicking the “accept” button on friend requests. Set your post privacy to “friends,” not “public.”
- You can control who can access your old Facebook posts on your timeline by selecting General > Privacy > Your Activity > Limit Past Posts.
- Disable tailored or personalized ads on Facebook, as it will stop Facebook from harvesting your data. To do this, navigate to General > Ads > Ad Settings.
- Limit your data available to third-party apps by selecting General > Apps and Websites.
- Be on the lookout for scams and phishing schemes on Facebook. Never click untrusted links on Facebook.
How to Deactivate Facebook Account FAQs
Can I deactivate my Facebook account without losing it?
Yes. Facebook account deactivation will not permanently lose your account.
Once your account is deactivated, Facebook preserves your entire picture, data and settings so that whenever you wish to retrieve your account, you can access it easily. Simply put, your account is not lost — it is concealed from others.
What does deleting my Facebook account do?
If you delete your Facebook account, it irreversibly deletes your pictures, posts, video clips and profiles. It’s not possible to recover anything you have uploaded. You won’t be able to access Facebook Messenger.
What’s the difference between deactivating or deleting a Facebook account?
A major distinction between deleting and deactivating a Facebook account is that the former is an irreversible action, while the latter allows you to recover your account when you like.
Does it make sense to deactivate your account?
Yes. Taking a break from Facebook makes a lot of sense as it can improve your self-esteem, eliminate social media-induced anxiety, lower your FOMO, and enhance your sleep patterns and mood.
Ultimately, temporarily staying away from Facebook can have a positive effect on your mental health.
Why do Facebook users choose to deactivate their accounts?
Mostly because of addiction. Since Facebook is an entertaining and intensive platform, it can take up a lot of your time.
If you discover you spend plenty of hours and minutes on Facebook, deactivation is one way to put a stop to being obsessed with newsfeeds and messages without terminating your account.
I have deactivated my Facebook account. What’s next?
The first thing is that your friend won’t be able to access your profile. This may be a hint that shows that your account has been deactivated. While your friends can access your message history on their chat session, they won’t see your profile picture.
Can I still reactivate my Facebook account after 8 months?
Yes. Your Facebook account can be reactivated whenever you like. All you have to do is sign into your Facebook. It can be on your device or somewhere else. Don’t forget your login credentials (phone number/ email) have to be accurate.
My account has been deleted. Can I reactivate it?
No. You can’t reactivate a deleted account.
What’s the best way to temporarily deactivate my account on Facebook?
- Access Facebook from your PC.
- Navigate to the upper right side of Facebook and select your profile photo.
- Click Settings & Privacy. Next Select Settings.
- Select Privacy, and next, select your Facebook Information.
- Finally, select Deletion and Deactivation.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored how to deactivate your Facebook account across all platforms.
Facebook account deactivation is seen as a less harsh alternative to deletion. It lets you retrieve all your old data whenever you choose to reactivate your account.
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