How to deactivate or delete your accounts on X, Facebook, Instagram and Threads

That of Elon Musk apparent Nazi salute The inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday was the “last straw” for some X users who decided to leave the social media platform.

Musk, who owns head of Trump’s DOGE advisory body, was accused of having performed the Sieg Heil salute, the symbol of Nazi Germany. The Tesla and SpaceX boss responded to the accusation against X by saying: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘Everyone is Hitler’ attack is so tired.”

But this pushed some X users to leave the platform. “Okay, this is the final straw for me. I’m leaving Twitter,” one user said, while another posted: “Elon Musk is a joke. Quit Twitter forever , Goodbye”.

The center-left French newspaper Le Monde also announced that it would stop publishing on X. “The usefulness of our presence (on World, Jérôme Fenoglio, in an editorial. , adding that Musk had made the platform “an extension of his political action”.

Meanwhile, the Meta platform Facebook no longer uses fact-checkers and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s rapprochement with Trump increased Google searches for how to quit the social media app.

For those considering taking similar steps, here is your guide on how to leave X, formerly Twitter and Meta companies Instagram, Threads and Facebook.

How to break up with X

Before leaving your accountyou may have data you would like to back up.

To do this, look in the side menu of the mobile app browser. In the browser, select: More > Settings & privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data.

You will then need to enter your password and a verification code for the email account you registered. There may be additional verification codes to enter.

You must then click on Request archive. It may take up to 24 hours to obtain the copy and you will be notified on the app and by email. You will then receive the copy in HTML and JSON.

But before you go, you might also want to let your X followers and connections know that you’re closing your account. So that only your followers can see your farewell message, you can make your profile private.

To do this, tap your icon in the mobile app or look in the browser side menu if you’re using a computer.

In the browser, select More > Settings & privacy > Privacy & security > Audience, media & tagging > Protect your posts.

In the mobile app, select Settings & support > Settings & privacy > Privacy & security > Audience & tagging > Protect your posts.

You can then select Protect. In the browser pop-up, select Protect.

You are now ready to delete your X account. To do this, in your browser, click on More, which is located at the bottom left of the screen. In the mobile app, tap your profile icon.

In your browser, select Settings & support > Settings & privacy > Your account > Deactivate your account.

In the mobile app, select Settings & Support > Settings & Privacy > Your Account > Deactivate Account.

The account isn’t technically gone at this point, since you have 30 days to change your mind. X will retain your information for 30 days but will then permanently delete it.

You can restore the account within 30 days, but by logging in and confirming that you want to reactivate it.

How to deactivate Facebook

If you are not sure you want delete Facebook permanently, you can deactivate it for a certain time.

To do this, if you have Account Center, you select: Personal Information > Account Ownership and Control > Deactivation or Deletion, then select to confirm.

If you don’t have Account Center, select Settings and Account Center (in the left pane) > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.

How to delete Facebook

If you have decided to delete your account, this is what you should do but it is worth noting that Messenger and all your messages will also be deleted.

Click on your Facebook profile picture. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings. Then go to Account Center (in the left pane) > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.

Next, select the account you want to delete. Select Delete Account and follow the prompts until you get to Confirm Permanent Account Deletion.

You will then need to confirm that you want to delete your profile, but you will have the option to download your information so you can save your posts and photos.

It’s also a good idea to upload your photos yourself before deleting your profile.

Facebook will also send you an email confirming that your account is scheduled to be deleted.

How to delete Instagram

Before deleting Instagram, you may want to save your data.

To do this in your settings: Click the three parallel lines at the bottom left, then click Your Activity > Upload your information > click Continue > Upload or transfer information > select the profiles you want to upload information from > Next > decide whether you want to download your information to a device or transfer your information directly to a destination.

You will receive a notification when the file is ready via email and Instagram, which can take up to 30 days. You then have four days to upload your information.

Once this lengthy process is complete, you can delete your account by going to Account Ownership and Control settings in Account Center. Then click on Deactivation or deletion > your account > Delete account then Continue.

How to delete discussion threads

Your Instagram account can be linked to your Threads account. If so, deleting Instagram will also delete your Threads profile.

If not, to remove Threads you need to access threads.net on a computer.

Click the two parallel lines at the bottom left of the page, then click Settings > Account > Deactivate or delete profile > Delete profile > Delete chats.