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How to Find and Remove Deactivated Friends From Facebook

Key Takeaways: 
  • A FaceBook account will no longer be available on a FaceBook name search when it is deactivated.
  • Deactivated accounts will usually have a FaceBook silhouette rather than a profile picture.

How to Unfriend Deactivated Friends on Facebook

First, you must visit the Friends section to remove the deactivated profiles from your Facebook account. Then, find and identify the ghost profiles you want to remove, followed by unfriending them. Here are the steps in detail.

1. Access Your Friends List

Visiting the Friends section is important because you cannot view the profile otherwise through the Facebook search.

Step 1: Open the Facebook website.

Step 2: Go to your profile by clicking the profile picture icon at the top left.

Open Your profile

Step 3: Then, click on the Friends tab below your cover photo.

Alternatively, you may open this link, which will take you directly to the Friends section.

Facebook friends

2. Identify Deactivated Facebook Accounts

Next, identify accounts that have been deactivated. You need to look through your entire Friend list. There are a few telling signs. A deactivated account usually fits the following:

  • The profile name will appear on your friend list with no picture or the default FaceBook silhouette.
  • When you click on a deactivated profile, you do not get an account; you get a message informing you that the account has been deactivated.
  • Deactivated accounts will also not show mutual friends next to the account name.

You should check your Friend list to see if any profiles match the above. Also, note that deactivated profiles cannot be accessed through search.

3. Remove Deactivated Friends

Once you have stumbled on a deactivated account, you may take the following steps to remove it.

Step 1: Hit the Friends drop-down menu next to their name.

friend icon on deactivated contact

Step 2: Select Unfriend.

unfriend contact 1

Should You Remove Deactivated Friends?

I would advise against it unless you don’t want to be friends with them in the future. Deactivating a profile is temporary for the other person who hasn’t deleted their account. So, when the person comes back on Facebook, surprise, surprise, you will no longer be friends with them.

Also, how is their silent presence inside the Friends section bothering you? So, unless those ghost profiles get on your nerves, the answer is no.

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Last updated on 28 May, 2024

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