Are you done with Meta? Here’s how to delete your Facebook once and for all

Mark Zuckerburg is getting rid of fact checkers and recommending more political content on Meta platforms, including Facebook.

If this worries you, we will show you how to get rid of your Facebook account permanently.

It is important to note that there is a difference between deleting your Facebook account and disabling that. Deactivating your Facebook account freezes it temporarily, which is useful if you want a short break. But it does nothing to prevent company from tracking your online activity.

To completely disconnect from Facebook, deleting your account is the only answer. Deleting it also breaks links with Facebook Messenger, the platform’s chat app. (If you want too get rid of Instagram and WhatsApp, which are properties of Facebook, you’ll have to do it separately.) We’ll explain some things you need to consider before going through the process, which takes time and patience.

First, disconnect your Facebook account from other apps and logins

Third-party developers like Spotify and DoorDash have long offered the ability to use your Facebook account as a way to sign up and access their services. It is convenient because it prevents you from remembering another password. That is, until you no longer have a Facebook account.

You will need to address those external accounts that rely on your Facebook information by logging into each account and disconnecting it from your Facebook account.

To find a list of apps associated with your Facebook account:

1. Log in to Facebook.
2. Go to Settings and Privacy > SETTINGS > Apps and websites.
3. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to disconnect your Facebook account from a service, contact the company’s customer service department for help.

Next, download a copy of your Facebook data

Once that’s done, find and download a copy of all your Facebook data by following these steps:

1. Go to the Meta Account Center and log in to your account.
2. Click Your Information and Permissions in the sidebar.
3. Click Download your information.
4. Click Download or transfer information the button.
5. When asked how much information you want, click Information available. Note that this includes everything except data logs, which are details data that can be associated with you. If you want them, click Specific types of information and make sure Data Logging is selected at the bottom of the list.
6. Click Download to device.
7. In the Create files to download options, click Date range and put it in All the time.
8. Leave format set in HTML — doing so puts your data into an easy-to-navigate format.
9. To save high-resolution copies of photos and videos you’ve posted to Facebook, change Media quality medium to high option.
10. Finally, click Create files. Facebook will then collect all your information and send you an email when it’s ready to download. It may take some time for this to happen — it’s not an instant process.

Now it’s time to delete your Facebook account

The last step is to delete your account. To do this, visit this page and register.

Facebook will give you a list of tasks and things to consider before deleting your account. For example, you’ll be advised to download all of your information, or if you’re the sole administrator of a Facebook page, you’ll be asked to grant administrator privileges to another account. Otherwise, the site will be deleted along with your account.

OK, are you ready? Click Delete accountenter your password and click Keep. Finally, click Delete account again and you’re done.

You have 30 days to change your mind about Facebook

Facebook will take up to 90 days to delete all of your account data from its servers. For the first 30 days of that period, you can still log in and cancel your deletion request. Your account will be restored and it will be as if you never left. For better or for worse.

To cancel your deletion request, visit Facebook.com, sign in to your account, and click Cancel deletion the button.

And if you need help with the emotional side of a breakup, here are some tips on how to do it ease the pain of breaking up with Facebook. You can also check out CNET’s list of the best password managers AND VPN services of the year.