Before we dive into the deactivation process and what it really means to deactivate your Facebook account, it’s worth knowing that Facebook and Meta are one and the same thing. Meta is the new parent name under which Facebook is owned and operated, and represents the company that manages and runs Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other popular apps.
So, when we talk about how to deactivate Facebook, this is just a branch of the Meta tree.
What Does It Mean to ‘deactivate’ Your Facebook?
There are many reasons why you might decide to deactivate your account. Not only does it stop you from opening the Facebook app and scrolling obsessively, but it also prevents other users and friends from being able to interact with your content, visit your profile, or send you posts via your profile. They will still be able to contact you via Facebook Messenger as this is a separate app.
To all intents and purposes, deactivating your Facebook account removes you completely from the platform. However, the most important thing to note is that deactivation is temporary and can be reversed at any time.
So, while deactivating your profile is akin to deleting yourself from the app, it is not a permanent action.
4 Steps to Deactivate Your Account
- Click on the menu button in the bottom right hand corner of your Facebook app page
- Select ‘Settings and Privacy’ then ‘Settings’, and click through to your Accounts Centre
- In the Accounts Centre, click on ‘Personal Details’ and then ‘Account Ownership and Control’ at the bottom of the menu
- Select the ‘Deactivation or Deletion’ option
From here, it is crucial that you select the right options depending on what you want to do. The first step is to select the correct account, and then make sure that you have ‘Deactivate Account’ selected rather than ‘Delete Account’.
Once your account is deactivated, you will remain offline and virtually invisible on Facebook until you decide to reactivate your account. Equally, you might decide that you like being off the platform and transition your deactivation to a full blown deletion.
How to Reactivate Your Account
If you thought the above process was easy, then you’ll love the reactivation process!
In order to reactivate your account and restore it to full use, allowing you to post and enabling friends to visit your profile and interact with your content again, you simply need to sign in.
The act of signing into your account is all you need to do to reopen it, letting Facebook know that you are ready to end your deactivation.
It really is as simple as that!
