How to Temporarily Deactivate Your Facebook Account on iPhone

Learn to quickly deactivate your Facebook account on iPhone in a few simple steps.

Published Apr 25, 2025

Overview

In today's digital age, managing our social media presence is crucial, and knowing how to temporarily deactivate your Facebook account on your iPhone can provide you with a much-needed break. This straightforward guide walks you through the steps to make your account invisible while retaining the option to reactivate it later. Learning this can be particularly useful for those looking to minimize distractions or take time away from social media without losing any of their data.

Video transcript

To temporarily deactivate your Facebook account on your iPhone, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings. Scroll to Account Ownership and Control under Your Facebook Information. Tap Deactivation and Deletion, then select Deactivate Account and tap Continue to Account Deactivation. Follow the prompts to confirm. This will make your account invisible without permanent deletion.

Questions and answers

What happens when I deactivate my Facebook account?
When you deactivate your Facebook account, your profile and all your information become invisible to other users. However, your data will be preserved, and you can reactivate your account at any time.
Can I still use Messenger if I deactivate my Facebook account?
Yes, deactivating your Facebook account does not deactivate Messenger. You can still use Messenger to chat with friends.
How long can I keep my Facebook account deactivated?
You can keep your Facebook account deactivated for as long as you wish. There is no time limit, and you can reactivate it whenever you're ready.
Will my messages be deleted if I deactivate my Facebook account?
No, your messages will not be deleted when you deactivate your Facebook account. They will remain available to the recipients.