How to Safely Download Data and Delete Your Facebook Account

As one of the longest-standing social networks, Facebook has garnered significant controversy over its data collection practices. If you’re considering closing your Facebook account due to privacy concerns or for other reasons, it’s essential to first download any important data.

Here’s how to effectively download your information and permanently delete your Facebook account:

delete facebook account

Step 1: Download Your Facebook Information

  1. Log in to your Facebook account and click on your avatar.
  2. Navigate to “Settings and privacy” > “Settings.”
  3. Choose “Download your information” from the right panel.
  4. Select either “Complete copy” to include all content or “Select types of information” for specific data.
  5. Opt for an HTML or JSON file format for easy management.
  6. Facebook will generate compressed files for download, accessible through an email link sent to your associated email address.

Step 2: Delete Your Facebook Account

  1. Log in to the Facebook website and access “Settings and privacy.”
  2. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
  3. Click on “Personal data” in the left column, then navigate to “Account Ownership and Control.”
  4. Choose “Deactivation or deletion” and select the “Delete account” option.
  5. Specify your reason for closing the account and proceed to confirm the deletion.
  6. Enter your Facebook credentials to authenticate the account ownership.
  7. Confirm the deletion process and select “Delete account” in the final window.

Remember:

  • Account deactivation temporarily hides your profile and content, while deletion permanently erases all data.
  • You have 30 days to reverse the account deletion. Simply log in within this period to reactivate the account.

Follow these steps to ensure a smooth process for downloading your data and permanently deleting your Facebook account.