Yes, Facebook, the most popular social media platform with around 3 billion users, is great for a lot of things – you can connect with friends and family, debate with strangers over random topics, and follow global trends and news.

But the social networking site has its caveats, such as privacy issues and data scandals. Not just these, but estimates also suggest constant scrolling on social media sites, such as Facebook, leads to an increasingly alarming average screen time.

So how do you safeguard your private information and reduce screen time simultaneously? A secure way to hide your Facebook account (without deleting it) and disconnect from the digital world for a while is to deactivate your account.

Take a break from social media, and learn how to deactivate your Facebook account.

How to deactivate your Facebook account

Once you deactivate your Facebook account, your profile, photos, friends, and posts remain hidden from public view. And while other users can’t send you friend requests, people you’ve messaged can still see chats.

Deactivation is a great stopgap solution if you want a temporary break. And you can do it in a few easy steps. Here’s how.

Deactivating your Facebook account on a PC or Mac

• Log in to your Facebook account.
• Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen. You’ll see an icon with three stacked horizontal lines if you don’t have a profile picture.
• Choose “Settings & privacy” from the drop-down menu. Then, click “Settings.”
• Select “Your Facebook information” from the left column.
• Find “Deactivation and deletion” at the bottom of the list, and click “View.”
• Select “Deactivate account,” and hit the blue button that says “Continue to account deactivation.”
• Enter your password, and click “Continue” to deactivate your account.

Deactivate your Facebook account on mobile (iOS and Android)

• Open the Facebook app on your smartphone.
• Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner. Android device owners will find the picture in the top-right corner.
• Scroll down, and tap “Settings & privacy.” Choose “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
• Under “Account,” tap “Access and control.”
• Choose “Deactivation and deletion.”
• Select “Deactivate account,” and tap “Continue to account deactivation.”
• Enter your password, and tap “Continue” to deactivate your Facebook account.

How to delete your Facebook account

You can delete your Facebook account if you want a more permanent deactivation approach. But before you do, we recommend downloading a copy of your information. After you’ve backed up your data, follow these steps to delete your account.

Deleting your Facebook account on a PC or Mac

• Log in to your Facebook account from a web browser.
• Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
• Select “Settings & privacy” from the menu, followed by “Settings.”
• Click “Your Facebook information.”
• Find and click “Deactivation and deletion” at the bottom.
• Choose “Delete account,” and click “Continue to account deletion.”
• You’ll see three options here allowing you to deactivate your account, download information and transfer a copy of your information.
• Download or copy your data, then click “Delete account.”

Deleting your Facebook account on Android and iOS

• Open the Facebook mobile app.
• Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner. Android device owners will find the picture in the top-right corner.
• Scroll down, and tap “Settings & privacy.” Then, select “Settings.”
• Under “Account,” choose “Access and control.”
• Tap “Deactivation and deletion.”
• Choose the second option, “Delete account,” and tap “Continue to account deletion.”
• Facebook will ask you to provide a reason for deleting your account. You can send reports and learn more about the options.
• Once you’re done, tap “Continue to account deletion.”
• Manage your preferences, and tap “Delete account.”

The pros of deactivating Facebook instead of deleting it

Deleting your account is a drastic and irreversible approach that permanently deletes your Facebook profile, pictures, videos, and everything else you’ve ever posted. Plus, deleting Facebook means you lose access to some of Meta’s (Facebook’s parent organization) services, such as Oculus – the company’s VR headset – and Facebook Messenger.

Deactivating, however, allows you to regain access to your Facebook account if you change your mind. Facebook temporarily hides your account, including your friend list, posts, and media. But you have peace of mind knowing your account’s waiting for you when you return.

Tips for using Facebook safely

Many users have privacy and safety concerns regarding Facebook. Deleting your account is extreme, while deactivating doesn’t remove your data from Facebook’s servers. The good news is you can leverage the following tips to control your Facebook account’s privacy and security.

• Use a long and unique password: Set a password that includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Also, don’t use a password related to any personal info, such as your birthdate, the school you attended, or your pet’s name.
• Avoid oversharing: On the topic of personal and account information, don’t overshare details related to your password or account on Facebook and other social media platforms. Hackers constantly lurk in the shadows looking for opportunities to pounce.
• Be careful when accepting friend requests: Not everyone on Facebook is a friend! Be mindful of the requests you accept, and avoid accepting friend requests from people you don’t know. It also helps drop new friends a message to verify their identity – ask them something only they’d know. If they seem suspicious, it’s best to block the account.
• Beware of social media scams: Be wary of the links you click on Facebook, Messenger, and other social networks. Some links may not be what they seem and could lead to malicious sites with viruses set up by cybercriminals.
  Check third-party apps: Always double-check the apps you download. Third-party apps often ask for permission to access personal data. Ensure you install apps from reputed and trustworthy developers with high ratings and positive reviews.

FAQs about Facebook deactivation

If you still have a few questions about deactivating your Facebook page, put your concerns to rest with the FAQs answered below.

How do I temporarily deactivate my Facebook account?

Deactivating your Facebook account is a temporary measure. Once you deactivate your account, it stays that way until you log in again.

Facebook deactivated my account. What should I do?

Facebook might disable your account if you weren’t following its terms and community standards. If you think this was a mistake, you can fill in a form and request a review.

How do I deactivate my Facebook account permanently?

Unfortunately, you can’t permanently deactivate your account. Facebook only allows users to temporarily shut their accounts, hiding their information and posts from public view. But if you want a permanent discharge from Facebook, you can delete your account by following the above steps.

Can I recover my deleted Facebook account?

You can recover your Facebook account within 30 days of deleting it. After 30 days, Facebook permanently deletes all account-related data, so there’s no way of retrieving it.

Stay safe and social with Linktree

Deactivating your account is a sensible step if you want a break from Facebook. Even bigger influencer accounts can take the occasional breather from the clicks and interactions. In fact, users with large followings must take extra measures to ensure their privacy and security.

The Linktree Blog is an excellent educational resource for learning how to stay safe on social networks. We explain how to change passwords, share links, and write killer bios that attract audiences without exposing personal information.

Speaking of bios, don’t forget to add a Linktree to yours. Our blog is free, and so is one of our plans! When you’re back from your deactivation vacation, get those socials up and running by connecting all your platforms in one place.