

In addition to account logins, you'll want to download a copy of all of the personal data linked to your Facebook account. For example, if you use Facebook's Login service to sign in to apps or services, such as Spotify, you'll need to edit your login settings to prepare for no longer having access to your Facebook account. Facebook has become so intertwined with our online lives that losing your account can lead to some issues.

Just be aware that, per the Facebook data use policy (Opens in a new window), "after you remove information from your profile or delete your account, copies of that information may remain viewable elsewhere to the extent it has been shared with others, it was otherwise distributed pursuant to your privacy settings, or it was copied or stored by other users.If you're set on deleting your Facebook account, take a few minutes to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. To fully delete your Facebook account forever, go to /help/delete_account (Opens in a new window). Just in case that expected re-activation isn't in your future, download a copy of all your data (Opens in a new window) on Facebook-posts, photos, videos, chats, etc.-from menu for Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information > View. It says it right there as you deactivate: "This can be temporary." Why? So you can reactivate (Opens in a new window) it later. But Facebook does not delete the account.

Yes, your timeline will disappear, you won't have access to the site or your account via mobile apps, friends can't post or contact you, and you'll lose access to all those third-party services that use (or require) Facebook for login. "Deactivation" is not the same as leaving Facebook.
