This isn’t the first time Facebook has been caught up in a data privacy and security controversy. Facebook just had a data breach and attempted to downplay it. Many users are considering permanently leaving the platform. While there are ways to secure your Facebook account, you have little influence over how Facebook handles your data on its servers.
However, if you’re like me and rarely use Facebook, deactivating or deleting your account would be a better option. However, before you leave Facebook, you must first download your profile data. Here’s how to delete or deactivate your Facebook account and download profile data before doing so step by step.
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Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting Facebook Account
The deactivation of a Facebook account is not permanent. It suggests you’re taking a break from Facebook and want to avoid it. Your Facebook account can always be reactivated. All you have to do now is re-enter your login information. Simple.
When you deactivate your Facebook account, no one, even your friends, will be able to find you or read your timeline. Messages you sent to others, on the other hand, will remain available because they are now linked to other people’s accounts.
Your Facebook account will be deleted permanently. You won’t be able to retrieve it or obtain access to it afterward. Contacting support staff will not assist, so make sure this is something you truly want to do. To protect you, Facebook will not process your delete request right away. Instead, you’ll get a few days to think about your decision. If you change your mind within this time, simply login into your Facebook account once to instantly cancel the deletion request. Otherwise, don’t sign in any scenario.
Similarly to when you delete your Facebook account, communications you sent to others will stay in their inbox. It’s worth noting that ‘copies of some stuff (e.g. log records)’ will stay in Facebook’s database but will no longer be linked to your account. When you remove your Facebook account, you also delete your Oculus account.
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How to Download Facebook Data on PC and Mobile
On both a PC and a mobile device, downloading your Facebook data is fairly simple. Let’s talk about how to download Facebook data on your PC because the file generated is enormous and you’re likely to save it to your hard drive.
1: Log in to Facebook and select the downward arrow icon in the top right corner. Select Settings & Privacy from the drop-down menu.
2: Then, from the left-hand sidebar of the Settings menu, select Your Facebook Information option.
3: On Your Facebook Information page, click Download Your Information.
4: Select a time range for the data you want to download, a format (HTML, JSON), and media quality on this page (High, Medium, Low). If you want to download all of your data, simply click Create File. Only tick the boxes next to the elements you want to download, such as photos/videos, profile information, and so on.
In the Available Copies area, you’ll find all the data download requests. Keep in mind that once you request a data download, the file will be online for a few days. As a result, a user has adequate time to download the file before it expires.
5: You’ll get a notification and the ability to cancel the procedure before it’s finished once Facebook starts copying your data.
Note: After submitting a request, you cannot change the format, media quality, or time period. However, by repeating the process, you may easily cancel the current request and create a new one on Facebook.
6: Select Settings & Privacy from the three horizontal line options in the top right corner of the Facebook mobile app. Then go back to Settings and look for Download Your Information. Choose a date range, format, and media quality for the downloading file when you open it. After that, tap Create File, and you’re done. When the data is ready to download, you will be alerted.
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How to Deactivate or Delete Facebook Account on Mobile
If you are unsure about being deleted, you can cancel your Facebook account. This might be anything from a week to when you want to enter into your account again. A deactivation is a preferable option if you simply want to stay away from your Facebook account and all the talk it brings into your life, but don’t want to delete it. In any case, both solutions are available at the same location.
1: In the upper right corner of Facebook, press the three horizontal lines Menu. Then go to Settings & Privacy and scroll down.
2: Select Settings from the Settings & Privacy menu, then Personal Information under Account Settings.
3: Select Manage Account to see the account deactivation page. Select Deactivate in the top right corner.
4: Select a reason for deactivating your Facebook account in the next step. When you’re finished, scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap Continue. You’ll be asked to continue depending on which option you select. You will be automatically logged out once the process is completed.
Select the ‘Opt-out of receiving future alerts from Facebook’ option under the Your Notifications option if you do not want to be invited to events, join groups, or be tagged in images.
5: Open Account Ownership and Control from the Settings menu, like we did earlier if you want to delete your Facebook account. Then select Deactivation and Deletion from the menu. As you may have noticed, there are several ways to cancel your account.
6: Tap Continue to Account Deletion after selecting Delete Account. You’ll have to choose a cause for your deletion in the next stage. Tap the Continue to Account Deletion button once you’ve made your selection.
7: To complete the procedure, select Delete Account again and enter the profile password. You’ll be asked to confirm account deletion one last time because the process is irreversible, and all data will be erased. Simply select Delete Account to complete the process.
You’ll be automatically logged out of your Facebook profile once you’ve completed the request. Keep in mind that a user has only 30 days to cancel the deletion request by logging into their account.
How to Deactivate or Delete Facebook Account
Deactivating or canceling your Facebook account is just as simple on a computer as it is on a smartphone. Let’s have a look at how to do it.
1: Use your computer to log into your Facebook account. In the top right area, click the downward arrow icon. After that, go to Settings & Privacy.
2: In the Settings & Privacy tab, click Settings again to display the settings overview.
3: In the left sidebar, select Your Facebook Information.
4: Now pick Deactivation and Deletion from the drop-down menu.
5: Select whether you wish to deactivate or delete your Facebook account on the Deactivation and Deletion page. Select Deactivate Account and then continue to Account Deactivation.
6: You’ll be prompted to enter your password once more. After that, click Continue.
7: Finally, select the reason for deactivation and whether you want to receive emails or invitations. Now, select Deactivate.
Another prompt will appear, asking whether you are sure you want to deactivate. Don’t be misled, and click Deactivate once more. That’s it. Your Facebook account will now be logged out.
8: Select the Remove Account option above and click Continue to Account Deletion if you want to delete your Facebook account rather than deactivate it.
9: On the following screen, you’ll see the identical Download Your Information option that we talked about earlier in the article. You can also add admin to the pages you own, as the page will be left without an owner once your account is removed. Then select Delete Account.
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Closing Remarks: Should You Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account
Now you know how to delete or deactivate your Facebook account. Have you completed it? If you want to take a break from social media, deleting your account is a good idea. Until you log in and reactivate your Facebook page, your account will be hidden from others. If you’re concerned about your privacy or have given up on Facebook for good, deletion is a wonderful option. It feels great.
