Deleting your Telegram account is a permanent action that wipes all your data from Telegram's servers. Whether you're leaving for privacy reasons or switching to another messaging app, Telegram provides two ways to delete your account: immediately via a web browser, or automatically after a period of inactivity.
This guide will walk you through both methods (including the Android-specific steps) in a clear, step-by-step manner. Before proceeding, keep in mind the important points below so you know exactly what deleting your account entails.
Before You Delete: Important Things to Know
- Permanent Data Deletion: Deleting your account will remove all messages, photos, videos, contacts, and other data you have stored in the Telegram cloud. This process cannot be undone, so be certain before you proceed. If you’re considering deleting Telegram due to spam or inappropriate content, you may want to report content on Telegram first to see if that improves your experience.
- Irreversible Action: Once deleted, your Telegram account cannot be reactivated. If you sign up again with the same number, it will be treated as a new account with no link to your previous chats or groups.
- Groups and Channels: Any groups or channels that you created will remain active, but they become orphaned (no official creator) after your account is gone. Group members can continue chatting, and admins retain their privileges, but your profile will no longer be associated with the group.
- Others Can Still See Old Chats: Deleting your account does not erase messages on other people’s devices. For example, friends in one-on-one chats will still see the conversation history you had with them (your name will change to "Deleted Account"). If you’re deleting Telegram due to unwanted messages, you might first try blocking users on Telegram to see if that resolves your concerns before taking the final step.
- Account Access Needed: To delete your account immediately, you must be able to receive a confirmation code sent to your Telegram app (not via SMS). This means you need access to your Telegram on at least one device. If you lost your phone or otherwise can’t get the code, you won’t be able to use the immediate deletion method.
- Export Data (Optional): If you want to keep a copy of your chats or media before deleting, use Telegram’s export tool on the desktop app to download your data. (On Telegram Desktop, go to Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram Data to save your chats, contacts, and other info locally.)
- No Temporary Deactivation: Unlike some social networks, Telegram does not offer a “deactivate” or temporary suspension option. It’s either active or deleted. If you just want a break from Telegram, you can log out or uninstall the app without deleting your account (your data will stay on Telegram’s servers). Otherwise, use the self-destruct method (explained below) for a delayed deletion.
As mentioned before, if security is your main concern, you might want to read our guide on how to protect yourself from Telegram scams before making a final decision. Now that you’re aware of the implications, let’s look at the two ways to delete your Telegram account.
Method 1: Delete Your Telegram Account Immediately via Web Browser
Telegram’s official way to immediately delete your account is through its Account Deactivation web page. You cannot perform an instant deletion from inside the Telegram mobile app alone (on Android especially), so using a web browser to access Telegram Web is required for this method. If you haven’t used Telegram Web before, check out our complete Telegram Web guide to get familiar with it.
iPhone users note: the iOS app now includes a "Delete Account Now" option in Settings, but Android users still need to use the web method for immediate deletion.
Follow these steps to permanently delete your Telegram account right away:
- Open the Telegram Deactivation Page: Launch a web browser on your computer or phone and go to the official Telegram account deletion page at my.telegram.org. (Using a desktop browser is recommended for ease of copying the code and navigating, but a mobile browser works as well.)
- Log In with Your Phone Number: Enter the phone number associated with your Telegram account in the international format (e.g. +1 234 567 8901) and click Next or Sign In. Make sure it’s the same number you use in Telegram.
- Get the Confirmation Code: Telegram will send a login code inside your Telegram app (in one of your chats from the official Telegram account). Check your Telegram messages on your phone or any device where you’re logged in to find the code. (Important: Telegram sends this code via an in-app message, not via SMS text)
- Enter the Code on the Website: Return to the browser page and enter the confirmation code in the field provided, then click Sign In. This will log you into your Telegram account settings on the web.
- Click “Delete Account”: Once logged in, you’ll see several options (such as API settings). Click on Delete Account (or Delete My Account). Telegram will display a warning page detailing the consequences of deletion. You may be prompted to enter a reason for leaving – this is optional, so you can leave it blank or write something if you wish.
- Confirm Deletion: Read the warnings carefully, then confirm by clicking the red “Yes, delete my account” button on the confirmation dialog. You may need to click Delete My Account first and then confirm on a pop-up. Once you confirm, your Telegram account will be deleted immediately.
Note: After you delete your account, Telegram might not let you create a new account with the same phone number for a few days
By completing the steps above, your Telegram account and all its data should now be permanently removed from Telegram’s servers. If you try to log in to Telegram with that number now, it will start a fresh account setup process.
Method 2: Delete Telegram Account via Self-Destruct (Inactivity)
If you don’t need to delete your account immediately or cannot get the confirmation code, Telegram offers an auto-delete (self-destruct) feature built into the app. This feature will permanently delete your account after a specified period of inactivity.
You can choose a timeframe, and if you stop using Telegram for that long, your account will be deleted automatically. This method is useful if you want a grace period to change your mind or if you're having trouble with the manual deletion process. Here’s how to use it:
- Open Telegram Settings: Launch the Telegram app on your phone and open the menu. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security. (On Android, tap the three-line menu ☰ and choose Settings. On iPhone, tap Settings in the bottom menu. Then select Privacy and Security.)
- Find “Delete My Account” Settings: Scroll down in Privacy and Security until you find the Delete My Account section. It will show an option labeled “If away for …” with a time period next to it (this is the inactivity timeout).
- Choose a Self-Destruct Timeframe: Tap “If away for”. A menu will pop up with possible inactivity durations: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. Select the shortest period (1 month) for the fastest account deletion, or a longer period if you prefer. Confirm your selection. (By default, Telegram might set this to 6 months or 1 year – setting it to 1 month ensures your account will delete as soon as possible.)
- Stop Using Telegram: Once you've set the self-destruct timer, simply log out and stop using your Telegram account on all devices. The countdown begins from your last seen time. You can uninstall the Telegram app to be sure you don't accidentally log in. Now you’ll need to wait for the chosen period to pass with no Telegram activity.
- Account Gets Deleted: After you have been “away” (completely inactive) for the entire duration you selected, Telegram will permanently delete your account automatically. All your messages, contacts, and data will be removed just as with the immediate deletion method. You won’t receive a specific notification of the deletion; you’ll simply find that logging in with your number will start a new account setup.
This inactivity method essentially schedules your account for deletion. Remember that if you log back in before the time is up, it cancels the self-destruct – your account will remain active, and you’d have to set the timer again if you still want to delete it. So be sure to stay logged out.
Immediate Deletion vs Self-Destruct
Check out this comparison table to see what method is best for you:
| Immediate Deletion (Web Method) | Self-Destruct (Inactivity Method) | |
|---|---|---|
| Requires Code Entry | Yes | No |
| Requires Website Access | Yes | No |
| Time Until Deletion | Instant | 1 month to 1 year |
| Account Access Needed | Yes | No (Just log out) |
| Can Contacts Still Message You? | No (Account is deleted immediately) | Yes (Until the inactivity period ends) |
| Best For | Users who want to erase their account immediately | Users who want to schedule deletion or cannot access the website |
How to Delete a Telegram Account Permanently on Android
Many users specifically ask how to delete their Telegram account on an Android device. The steps to achieve this are essentially a combination of the methods above:
- Using the Telegram App (Android): As of now, the Android Telegram app itself does not provide a one-tap immediate delete button (unlike the iOS version). The Android app only allows setting the self-destruct timer (Method 2). If you want to use just your Android app, the fastest you can delete your account is by setting “If away for 1 month” and then not using Telegram for that month.
- Using a Mobile Browser: For an immediate deletion on Android, you should use Method 1. You can perform it directly from your Android phone’s web browser. Simply open Chrome (or any browser) on your phone and go to the Telegram Deactivation page, then follow the same Step 2–6 from Method 1 above. The interface is mobile-friendly and the process is identical: enter your number, get the code from your Telegram app, and confirm deletion. This will delete your account right away, even though you are doing it on an Android device.
- iPhone Users: On iOS, Telegram has a “Delete Account Now” option within the app’s Privacy & Security settings. Tapping that on an iPhone will guide you through confirming deletion without needing a browser. On Android, this exact in-app immediate option is currently not available, hence the need for the web method.
In summary, Android users should plan to delete their account by either using a web browser for instant results or the in-app timer for an automatic deletion. The outcome is the same – your Telegram account will be removed permanently.
How to Deactivate Telegram (Is Temporary Deactivation Possible?)
If you’re looking for how to deactivate your Telegram account temporarily, it’s important to clarify terminology. Telegram doesn’t have a concept of “deactivation” where your account is hidden but can be restored later. Your choices are either leaving the account idle or deleting it completely:
- No true “Deactivate” mode: Telegram does not offer a temporary deactivation like some other platforms do. If you need a break from Telegram but want to keep your data, the best approach is to log out of the app (or uninstall the app) and just leave the account inactive. Your account will remain on Telegram’s servers (and still visible to your contacts), but you won’t receive any messages or notifications while logged out.
- Using Self-Destruct as a Deactivation workaround: You can leverage the self-destruct setting as a sort of deactivation. For example, set the inactivity timer to a long period (like 1 year) and then stop using Telegram. If you return within that time and log in, your account is still there (essentially you “reactivated” by coming back). If you never return, the account will eventually delete. This isn’t a reversible deactivation toggle, but it’s a way to ensure your account will auto-delete if you end up never coming back.
- Simply uninstalling: If your goal is to just stop using Telegram for a while, you might simply uninstall the Telegram app from your devices. This will not delete your account or chats – it just removes your access. Your friends can still send you messages (which will be pending) and see your profile (it will show you as last seen a while ago or not recently). You can always reinstall the app and log in again to resume using the same account.
In short, “deactivating” Telegram = not using it. If you want to make sure your data is gone, you’ll have to delete your account entirely using the methods above. Otherwise, you can remain inactive; nothing will happen to your account until the self-destruct period kicks in.
Deleting the Telegram App vs Deleting Your Account
A quick clarification: removing the Telegram application from your device is not the same as deleting your Telegram account. If you delete or uninstall the app, your Telegram account remains intact in the cloud (along with all your messages and data). You can reinstall Telegram later and log back in to find everything as you left it. To truly eliminate your presence from Telegram’s servers, you must delete the account itself (as we detailed in this guide).
So, if your goal is simply to free up space on your phone or stop notifications, you can uninstall the app. But if your goal is to permanently erase your Telegram profile and history, make sure to follow the steps to delete your account properly. Uninstalling the app without deleting the account will leave your data accessible if you log in again or if Telegram’s self-destruct timer eventually runs out.
Deleting your Telegram account can help protect your privacy since all your cloud data will be wiped from Telegram’s servers. Remember, if you’re facing issues with deleting your Telegram account, you may want to contact Telegram support for further assistance. In any case, if you really want to delete your Telegram account, be sure this action is what you want, as there’s no going back. Good luck, and stay safe online!
