How to erase Facebook profile pages permanently

This guide outlines how to erase Facebook profile pages permanently, and how to back up your data first.

Since the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, even the biggest Facebook fan should have realized that personal data on the network could be at risk at any time. But it is not just the concern about further data leaks that makes many people wonder: how do you delete Facebook profile pages.

How to erase Facebook profile pages

Annoying algorithms, constant notifications or the social pressure associated with the platform are some good reasons for Facebook fatigue. If you are fed up with this, you can permanently delete your Facebook account.

We will show you how to erase facebook profile pages — and of course how you can save the accumulated data beforehand. We also guide you to an alternative to completely withdrawing from Facebook by deactivating your account.

How to erase Facebook profile pages: Back up your data first

Before you make a final clean slate when it comes to Facebook, the most important personal data from the network should be backed up. Facebook actually offers the option of requesting all of the uploaded data.

As a global data octopus, Facebook really does save everything you have done on the network over the course of your career. The good news: you can request all of the data and download it to your computer before you take the steps for how to erase your Facebook page. In addition to all of the photos and videos you have uploaded to Facebook, the network also makes a lot of other data available.

For example, you can view your entire Facebook history via an HTML database or view a list of your likes. Even rejected friend requests can be found in your personal Facebook archive.

How to download the data from your Facebook account

In the old Facebook design

1. Log in to Facebook. Here, click on the small arrow next to your profile in the top right and select “Settings” in the drop-down menu.
2. Switch to the “Your Facebook information” section on the left.
3. Click on the “View” button next to the “Download your information” line.
4. On this page you can now select in detail which data you want to download and in what form it should be prepared. As a rule, you can simply keep the default settings. Here, the complete Facebook data is prepared as HTML files. In this menu you can request your personal Facebook archive as a download.
5. If you are happy with your selection, click on “Create file”. The data is not available immediately. Instead, you will receive an email as soon as the download is complete. For our account, the email arrived after just a few minutes, but in practice it can take longer.
6. Click on the download link in the email. After entering your Facebook password, this will lead you to a ZIP archive with your data. Download the file and unzip it on your hard drive.
7. In the unzipped folder you will find the file “Index.html”. Click on this to see an overview of all the activities you have taken part in in your Facebook life.

The data is clearly sorted by category. Regardless of this, you can of course also browse through the folder directly. It is structured logically, so that, for example, all videos are in the subfolder of the same name. The personal Facebook archive contains all the data that you have left on the network.

In the new Facebook design

1. Log in to Facebook. Then click on the small arrow at the top right, select the entry “Settings and privacy” in the drop-down menu and then go to “Settings”.
2. Switch to the “Your Facebook information” section on the left.
3. Click on “View” to the right of the “Download your information” line.
4. Now you can choose in detail which data should be downloaded and in what form it should be prepared. As a rule, you can simply keep the default settings, so that all your Facebook data is prepared as HTML files. Here you can request all your Facebook data as a download and set which data you would like to have and in what form.
5. Once you have made your selection, click on “Request download”. As soon as the data is compiled and ready to download, you will receive an email and a Facebook notification. This took a few minutes for our account, but in practice it can take longer.
6. Click on the Facebook notification or the link in the email. Then click on “Download”. After entering your Facebook password, you will be taken to a ZIP archive with your data. Download the file and unzip it on your hard drive.

In the folder you will find the file “Index.html”. Click on this to see an overview of all your Facebook activities. The data is sorted by category here. Alternatively, you can also search the folder directly. This is logically structured so that all search queries are in the Search_History subfolder. This Facebook archive contains all the data you have ever left on Facebook.

How to erase Facebook profile pages in a browser

Pics at https://www.avg.com/de/signal/deactivate-or-delete-facebook-account

If you want to completely delete your Facebook account, you can search for a long time in the settings. The appropriate option can only be reached via this Facebook link.

1. Here you are now offered to temporarily deactivate Facebook. You should select this if you want to continue using Facebook Messenger.
2. If you click on the “Delete account” button, on the other hand, your entire Facebook account with all stored data will be deleted.
3. Follow the further instructions and confirm the process with your password. You will then be logged out.

However, the deletion does not enter into force immediately, but only after a period of 14 days. If you log in to your account again within this period, the deletion process will be cancelled. After the deadline, it can take up to 90 days for all data to be really removed.

How to erase Facebook profile pages in the app

This particularly applies to how to delete Facebook account on iPhone.

1. In the Facebook app, first navigate to the settings using the three-line menu at the bottom right and the gear symbol.
2. Then tap on “Personal information and account information” and finally on “Account ownership and settings”.
3. Here, select “Deactivate and delete”, then “Delete account” and confirm the entry with “Continue and delete account”.

In principle, your Facebook account is now gone. But it’s not that simple: If you log in to your account again within the next 14 days, the network will automatically take back the deletion of the profile.

Only when you have waited for this two-week grace period without logging in to Facebook will the deletion of all data be ordered. This can take up to another 90 days. After that, your Facebook account is irretrievably deleted.

Alternative: Deactivate your Facebook account

Deleting your own Facebook account is a pretty radical step. If you only want to distance yourself from Facebook for a while, the network offers an alternative: Simply deactivate your Facebook account. In this case, all data including friendships, likes, etc. will be retained. In return, you no longer appear in the Facebook search and are no longer visible to people on your friends list.

Photo by Thought Catalog