Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: On a mobile device
• Method 2 of 2: On a Windows or Mac OS X computer
• Tips
• Warnings

This article will show you how to temporarily disable your Facebook account - to enable it, you just need to log in to Facebook. The process outlined here is different from deleting your Facebook account.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: On a mobile device

1. 1 Launch the Facebook app. It is a white “f” icon on a dark blue background. If you are already logged in to Facebook, a news feed will open.
   • If you are not already signed in to your Facebook account, enter your email address and password and then click Sign In.
2. 2 Click on ☰. This icon is located in the lower-right corner of the screen (iPhone) or in the upper-right corner of the screen (Android).
3. 3 Scroll down and tap Settings. Skip this step on an Android device.
4. 4 Please select account settings. It's near the top of the pop-up menu (iPhone) or the bottom of the pop-up menu (Android).
5. 5 Click on General. This tab is at the top of the screen.
6. 6 Tap Account management. This is the bottom option on the page.
7. 7 Click on Deactivate. This link is to the right of the Account heading.
8. 8 Enter your password and then press Proceed. The deactivation page will open.
9. 9 Please provide a reason for deactivating your account. If you selected the Other option (at the bottom of the section), enter the reason for deactivation.
   • If you would like Facebook to automatically activate your account after a week or less, click “This is temporary. I'll be back". And then specify the number of days that your account will be disabled.
10. 10 Click on Closeif prompted to take an additional action. If Facebook thinks it can correct the specified reason, a pop-up message will open prompting you to take an additional (and optional) action; click "Close" to get rid of the pop-up message.
11. 11 Disable email and / or Messenger notifications (if you want). To do this, touch the field next to the option "Opt-out of emails" and / or "Messenger", respectively.
12. 12 Click on Deactivate. It's near the bottom of the screen. Your account will be disabled.
    • You may need to enter your password again.
    • To activate your account, simply sign in.

Method 2 of 2: On a Windows or Mac OS X computer

1. 1 Go to the Facebook website. Go to https://www.facebook.com/. If you are already logged in to Facebook, a news feed will open.
   • If you are not already signed in to your Facebook account, enter your email address (or phone number) in the upper right corner of the screen and click Sign In.
2. 2 Click ▼. You will find this icon at the top right of the screen (to the right of the "?" Icon). A dropdown menu will open.
3. 3 Click on Settings. It's near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
4. 4 Go to the tab General. You will find it at the top left of the page.
5. 5 Click on Account management. This is the last option on the page.
6. 6 Click "Deactivate Account". This option is just above the Close button.
7. 7 Enter password. Do this on the line in the middle of the page.
8. 8 Click on Proceed. If the entered password is correct, the deactivation page will open.
9. 9 Select the reason for deactivating your account. Do this in the Reason for Leaving section at the bottom of the page.
   • If you want Facebook to automatically reactivate your account after a week or less, click “This is temporary. I'll be back". And then specify the number of days that your account will be disabled.
10. 10 Click on Closeif prompted to take an additional action. Depending on the reason you chose to deactivate your account, Facebook will prompt you to sign out or add friends and not deactivate your account.
11. 11 Review the deactivation options. You can enable the following options:
    • Opt out of emails - check the box next to this option to prevent Facebook from sending you emails;
    • Messenger - disables Facebook Messenger.If you do not check the box next to this option, other users will be able to find you and send you a message via Messenger;
    • Remove apps - if you are a Facebook application developer and have created any applications, they will be listed on this page. If you check the box next to this option, your apps will be removed from the developer profile.
12. 12 Click on Deactivate. It's a blue button at the bottom of the page.
    • Now enter the password again.
13. 13 Click on Deactivate nowwhen prompted. Your Facebook account will be deactivated. To activate it, go to the Facebook login page, enter your email address and password, and then click Login.

Tips

• When you deactivate your account, all your profile information will be saved in case you decide to return.

Warnings

• Deactivate your account only if necessary. If you do this too often, after a while you will not be able to quickly activate your account.
• The only way to permanently remove sensitive information from Facebook servers is to delete your account.