To delete your Telegram account, open Telegram's account deactivation page in a web browser, enter your phone number with the country code, type the confirmation code Telegram sends inside the app, then choose Delete my account. You can also set a self-destruct timer in Privacy and Security. Deleting can't be undone.
Uninstalling the app doesn't delete anything. Your account, messages and groups stay on Telegram's servers until you delete the account or the timer runs out, so removing the icon from your phone only hides it from you.
There are two routes, and they suit different people. One is instant and final. The other waits until you've been away for a set period. Pick the one that matches how sure you are.
Two ways to delete Telegram, side by side
| Delete now (web page) | Self-destruct timer (in the app) | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Happens once you confirm | Happens after you've been away for your chosen period |
| Where you do it | A web browser, on Telegram's own deactivation page | Settings, then Privacy and Security |
| Best for | Leaving for good, today | Letting an old account fade out without any fuss |
| Can you change your mind? | No, deletion can't be undone | Yes, until the timer runs out. Open the app and it resets |
| What you need | Your phone number and the code sent inside Telegram | The app on a phone where you're still logged in |
If you're unsure, start with the timer. It does the job for an account you've stopped using, and you can still turn back.
Before you delete: what you lose
Deleting a Telegram account removes everything tied to it. Run through this checklist first so nothing surprises you.
- All your messages and chat history are removed.
- Your contacts list on Telegram goes with the account.
- Groups and channels you own: if they have other admins, they keep running. If you're the only admin, think about handing over ownership first.
- You can sign up again with the same number later, but it starts as a brand new, empty account.
- Your account can't be recovered once it's deleted.
- Anything tied to the account, like your username, goes with it.
If you run something with an audience, take a look at what Telegram Business and channels are for before you go, because a channel is worth passing on to someone you trust rather than losing.
Save your data first
Telegram lets you take a copy of your data before you leave. This is done with Telegram Desktop on a computer: open Settings, then Advanced, then Export Telegram data, and choose what to include, like chats, photos and files.
If you need files from chats, do this before deleting. I'd also scroll through your saved messages, because many people use that chat as a notepad and forget what's in it.
If a download stalls while you're saving things, this guide on why Telegram isn't downloading files will help you fix it.
Route 1: delete your account now
- On any device, open a web browser and search for Telegram deactivate account. Open Telegram's own page from the results.
- Enter your phone number in international format, starting with the country code.
- Telegram sends a confirmation code. It arrives inside the Telegram app on a device where you're logged in, not by SMS.
- Type the code into the web page.
- Choose Delete my account and confirm.
Read the confirmation screen slowly. Once you confirm, that's the end of the account. There's no recycle bin to rescue it from.
Route 2: set the self-destruct timer
This is the gentler option. Telegram can delete an account on its own if it sees no activity for the period you choose.
- Open Telegram and go to Settings.
- Tap Privacy and Security.
- Find the option called Delete my account or If away for.
- Choose a period: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.
- Confirm. From then on, if you don't open Telegram for that long, the account is removed.
The timer counts from when you were last active, so opening the app resets it. That's useful if you want a safety net, and a problem if you keep opening it out of habit.
Some newer versions of the app also show a delete option at the very bottom of Privacy and Security. If a menu name looks different on your phone, search the settings for the word delete and you'll find where your version keeps it.
Not sure if you want to delete? Try these first
Deleting is the biggest button you have. Sometimes a smaller one solves the problem:
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- Mute noisy chats and groups, instead of leaving your whole account.
- Leave the groups you don't read and archive the rest.
- Hide your phone number and last seen time in Privacy and Security.
- Log out of the app on devices you no longer use.
- Set the timer, so the account ends only if you really stay away.
If your real reason is privacy, tighten the settings first. If your real reason is that you've moved on, delete it and enjoy the quiet.
What happens after you delete
Once it's gone, people can no longer reach you there, so it's kind to tell the people who matter where else to reach you before you go.
If you decide to come back later, you can create a new account with your phone number. It will be empty. Your old groups, saved messages and chat history won't return, which is why I'd export anything you want to keep first.
Delete the Telegram app from your phone only after the account is gone. Then check your other devices, because an old tablet or computer can still be logged in until the deletion goes through.
A quick word on other accounts
Many people clear out several apps at once. If Facebook is on your list too, here's how to delete or deactivate a Facebook account. The two apps work differently, so check which version you want before you act.
Whatever you choose, write down the groups and contacts you'll want to find again. Telegram won't give them back once the account has gone.
Frequently asked questions
Does deleting the Telegram app delete my account?
No. Uninstalling the app only removes it from your phone. Your account, messages and groups stay on Telegram until you delete the account or the self-destruct timer runs out.
Can I get my Telegram account back after deleting it?
No. Deleting a Telegram account can't be undone. You can sign up again with the same number later, but you start from nothing, with no old chats or contacts.
What happens to groups I created if I delete my account?
Groups and channels you created keep running if they have other admins. If you're the only admin, hand over ownership or add another admin first.
How do I delete Telegram automatically if I stop using it?
Open Settings, then Privacy and Security, and choose Delete my account or If away for. Pick 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. If you don't open the app for that long, Telegram removes the account.
Where does the Telegram confirmation code arrive?
It arrives inside the Telegram app on a device where you're already logged in, not by SMS. Open the app and look for the message from Telegram.
