Facebook Stories are a fun way to share moments, thoughts, and updates that disappear after 24 hours. But sometimes, you might post something by mistake, change your mind, or want to remove a story early. If that’s the case, you’ll need to know how to delete a Facebook story before it disappears on its own.
This guide will walk you through the process of deleting a Facebook story on iPhone, Android, and desktop. Whether it’s a photo, video, or text update, removal is quick and easy.
Why You Might Want to Delete a Facebook Story
There are several common reasons for deleting a story:
You accidentally posted the wrong photo or video
The story contains incorrect information or typos
You changed your mind about sharing something
You received negative feedback or want to avoid unwanted attention
You want to manage your online presence more carefully
No matter the reason, you can remove the story any time before the 24-hour mark.
What Happens When You Delete a Facebook Story
Once deleted:
- The story is immediately removed from your profile
- Friends and followers can no longer view it
- It disappears from the Messenger story view as well
- There is no way to recover the story after deletion
If you downloaded or saved your story before posting, you’ll still have the media on your device.
How to Delete a Facebook Story on iPhone or Android
Here’s how to remove a story using the Facebook mobile app:
- Open the Facebook app on your phone
- Tap Your Story at the top of the News Feed
- Once your story opens, tap the three dots (•••) in the top-right corner
- Tap Delete photo or Delete video, depending on the post
- Confirm by selecting Delete
The story will be removed instantly from Facebook and Messenger.
To delete a specific slide in a multi-part story:
- Open Your Story
- Swipe left or right to go to the specific slide
- Tap the three dots
- Select Delete photo/video
This is helpful if only one part of your story needs to be taken down.
How to Delete a Facebook Story on Desktop
If you prefer using a computer, you can also delete your story through the browser:
- Visit facebook.com and log into your account
- Click Your Story at the top of the homepage
- Navigate to the story item you want to delete
- Click the three dots (•••) in the upper-right corner of the story
- Select Delete photo or Delete video
- Confirm the action
The deleted story will no longer be visible on Facebook or Messenger.
How to Delete Archived Facebook Stories
Facebook automatically saves your stories to your Story Archive, allowing you to view or repost them later.
To delete an archived story:
On mobile:
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap your profile icon
- Tap the three dots next to “Edit Profile”
- Select Archive > Story Archive
- Tap the story you want to delete
- Tap the three dots and select Delete
- Confirm deletion
On desktop:
- Go to your profile
- Click the three dots below your cover photo
- Choose Story Archive
- Click the story to open it
- Click the three dots and select Delete
This permanently removes the story from your archive history.
How to Turn Off Facebook Story Archive
If you don’t want Facebook to save your stories automatically:
- Open the Facebook app
- Tap your profile
- Tap the three dots and select Archive
- Tap Settings (gear icon)
- Toggle Save to Archive off
This setting ensures future stories are not stored after the 24-hour period.
How to Delete Stories from Messenger
If your Facebook story appears in Messenger, deleting it from Facebook also removes it from Messenger automatically.
However, if you posted it through Messenger:
- Open the Messenger app
- Tap your profile picture
- Tap Story
- View your story and tap the three dots
- Select Delete
The story will be removed from both Messenger and Facebook.
What If You Can’t Delete a Story?
If you’re unable to delete a story:
- Make sure you’re logged into the correct account
- Try force-closing and reopening the app
- Check for Facebook or Messenger app updates
- Use a desktop browser as an alternative method
In rare cases, a temporary glitch may delay the deletion. Refresh the app or browser after a few minutes.
FAQs About Deleting Facebook Stories
Can I delete a Facebook story after posting it?
Yes, you can delete a story anytime before the 24-hour expiration.
Will deleting a Facebook story remove it from Messenger too?
Yes, deleting the story on Facebook removes it from Messenger simultaneously.
Can I delete just one part of my story?
Yes, you can remove individual photos or videos from a multi-part story.
Is it possible to recover a deleted story?
No. Once deleted, the story cannot be recovered unless it was saved to your device before posting.
Does Facebook notify others when I delete a story?
No. Facebook does not send notifications when you delete a story.