Short answer
Deactivating hides your profile; you return by logging back in, and Messenger can stay active if you choose. Deleting is permanent after a grace period: you can cancel within 30 days by logging in and choosing Cancel deletion; after that your account and information are deleted, and removing everything you posted can take up to 90 days. Messages you sent may stay visible to friends. Download your information first. If you didn’t choose either — Facebook suspended or disabled the account — that’s an appeal, not a reactivation.
Deactivate (temporary)
- People can’t see your profile while it’s deactivated.
- Reactivate any time by logging back in, or by using Facebook to log in somewhere else.
- Messenger can stay active if you choose to keep it or are logged in when you deactivate; you can deactivate Messenger separately.
Delete (permanent after 30 days)
- Within 30 days you can cancel: log in and choose Cancel deletion.
- After 30 days your account and information are permanently deleted and can’t be retrieved.
- It can take up to 90 days from the start to delete everything you posted.
- You can no longer use Messenger, and messages you sent may remain visible to friends.
Before you delete
- Download your information (photos, posts, messages).
- Make sure Pages, groups and ad accounts you manage have another admin.
- Check which apps and sites you log into with Facebook — you’ll lose that login.
Can’t log in to cancel?
If someone changed your password or email, recover access first: hacked Facebook or without email or phone. The 30-day window keeps running while you do.
Disabled is different
If Facebook shows a notice that your account is suspended or disabled, you didn’t deactivate it — Facebook restricted it. That needs an appeal within the notice’s deadline: disabled Facebook account and appeal deadlines. The Instagram equivalent: deactivate vs delete Instagram.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Facebook keep a deleted account?
You can cancel within 30 days. After that it’s permanently deleted; removing all posted content can take up to 90 days from the start.
Can I use Messenger if I deactivate Facebook?
Yes, if you keep Messenger active. If you delete Facebook, you can no longer use Messenger.
Will my messages disappear if I delete Facebook?
Not necessarily — some information, such as messages you sent, is stored outside your profile and friends may still see it.
Can Facebook restore my account after 30 days?
No. After the deletion window the account and its information can’t be retrieved.
Sources: Facebook Help — temporarily deactivate your profile, Facebook Help — permanently delete your profile, Facebook Help — difference between deactivating and deleting