How do I deactivate ACF?

How do I deactivate ACF?

To deactivate the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin, you will typically follow a two-step process within your WordPress dashboard: first deactivating, then optionally deleting its files.

Steps to Deactivate and Remove ACF

Follow these simple steps to deactivate and remove the ACF plugin from your WordPress installation:

1. Navigate to the Plugins Page:

   • Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
   • From the left-hand navigation menu, click on Plugins to access the list of all installed plugins on your site.

2. Deactivate the Plugin:

   • Locate "Advanced Custom Fields" or "ACF" in the list of installed plugins.
   • Beneath the plugin name, you will find several action links. Click on the Deactivate link.
   • This action disables the plugin's functionality, meaning its code will no longer execute on your website, but its files will remain stored on your server.

3. Delete the Plugin Files (Recommended for Full Removal):

   • Once ACF is deactivated, the "Deactivate" link beneath its name will be replaced by a "Delete" link (alongside an "Activate" link).
   • To remove all of the plugin's files from your WordPress plugins directory, click on the Delete link.
   • You will typically be prompted to confirm this action. Confirm to proceed with the deletion.

What Happens When You Deactivate and Delete ACF?

• Deactivation: When ACF is deactivated, it ceases to function on your website. Any custom fields you have created will no longer appear on your WordPress edit screens (e.g., for posts, pages, or custom post types), and any content relying on these fields might not display correctly on the front end, depending on your theme and custom code.
• Deletion: Clicking the "Delete" link after deactivation permanently removes all of the plugin's files from your WordPress wp-content/plugins directory. It's important to note that while the plugin files are removed, any custom field data (e.g., values entered into your custom fields) that is stored in your WordPress database (typically as post meta) will generally remain. Most plugins do not automatically clean up database entries upon deletion unless specifically designed to do so. This means that if you choose to reinstall ACF later, your previously entered data might still be present and accessible.

This process ensures that ACF is no longer active on your site and its core files are removed from your server.