How to Delete Your Reddit Account (Phone and Computer)

Maybe you've spent too many evenings scrolling, maybe you want a clean break from an old handle, or maybe a business account has run its course. Whatever the reason, deleting Reddit is a one-way door, and the order you do things in matters more than the clicking itself.

Here's how Reddit's help centre says to do it on a computer and on your phone, what disappears, what doesn't, and what to sort out before you press the final button.

Before you delete your Reddit account: the checklist

Reddit's help says deletion is permanent. Your username becomes unavailable and you lose access to the account and its post and comment history. Run through this list first:

• Delete the posts and comments you want gone. More on why below.
• Cancel Reddit Premium if you have it, because deleting the account doesn't cancel it.
• If you signed up with Google or Apple, disconnect that linked account and create a password.
• Save anything you'd like to keep, such as a link to a thread or a draft you wrote.
• Make sure you know your password, because Reddit asks for it to confirm.

Deleting your Reddit account on a computer

On the website, Reddit's help gives this route:

1. Log in and open Account Settings.
2. Scroll down to the Advanced section.
3. Click Delete Account.
4. Enter the details Reddit asks for, including your password.
5. Tick the box saying you understand a deleted account can't be recovered, then confirm.

If you still use the older Reddit layout, its preferences page has a delete tab where you enter your username and password. Reddit's help describes that route too.

Deleting your Reddit account on iPhone or Android

The apps use different menu paths, so follow the one for your phone.

iPhone

1. Open your profile and tap the menu.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Scroll down to Support.
4. Tap Delete account and follow the prompts.

Android

1. Open your profile and tap the menu.
2. Tap Settings, then Account settings.
3. Scroll to the end of the page.
4. Tap Delete account and follow the prompts.

Menus vary a little by app version, so if the wording differs, look for an account section near the bottom of Settings.

What stays on Reddit after you delete your account

This surprises people. Reddit's help says deleting your account doesn't delete your posts or comments. They stay on the site, disconnected from your name, so other users can't see who wrote them. If you want them removed, you have to delete them one by one before you delete the account.

Your username is gone for good too. It can't be reused by you or anyone else, so you can't delete and come back under the same name.

How long Reddit takes to finish deleting your account

Reddit says it starts a deletion process within 90 days to remove or anonymise your account from its servers. That's a processing window, not a cooling-off period you can use to change your mind. Reddit also says its staff can't delete an account for you, so the request has to come from you, signed in.

If Reddit won't let you delete your account

Errors happen. Reddit's help article on deletion errors suggests a short list of fixes, in this order:

1. Check that you've typed your password correctly.
2. Try old.reddit.com in your browser.
3. Clear your cookies, or open a private window, and try again.
4. If you used Google or Apple to sign up, make sure you've disconnected that account and set a password.

If you signed up with a phone number and never set a password, Reddit's help says it sends a six-digit code instead. Check your messages for it.

Clearing out your Reddit posts and comments before deleting

Since Reddit leaves your content behind, the tidy way to leave is to remove what you wrote first. Open your profile, go through the Posts and Comments tabs, and delete the items you don't want hanging around. It takes a while if you've been a member for years, so set aside an evening rather than a few minutes.

• Start with anything that includes personal details, such as your workplace, your town or a photo.
• Move on to old arguments you'd rather not have attached to a thread forever.
• Leave useful answers if you don't mind them staying up with no name attached.

Remember that other people may have quoted or replied to your comments, and those replies stay put even when your own comment goes.

What other Reddit users see once your account is gone

Your old content stays, but nobody can tell who wrote it. Replies to your comments remain in the thread. You can't sign back in, and Reddit says the username can't be reused, so nobody can pick it up and pretend to be you.

Closing a Reddit account used for business

Small business owners and creators sometimes open an account for a launch or a campaign, then leave it dormant. Before you delete, think about whether the old threads still send you useful visitors. If your account helped you meet customers, my look at how brands build a Reddit presence is worth a read before you walk away.

And if you're clearing out other accounts at the same time, here's how to delete a Pinterest account for comparison, since the order of steps differs between platforms.

Leaving Reddit without deleting your account

If you only want a break, you don't have to delete anything. You can log out, remove the app from your phone, or turn off notifications and come back later. Deleting is for when you're sure, because there's no way back.

Frequently asked questions

How do I delete my Reddit account?

On the web, open Account Settings, scroll to Advanced and click Delete Account. In the iPhone app go to Settings, then Support, then Delete account. On Android go to Settings, Account settings, then Delete account.

Can I get a deleted Reddit account back?

No. Reddit's help says a deleted account can't be recovered, and your username can't be reused by you or anyone else.

Does deleting my Reddit account delete my posts?

No. Reddit says your posts and comments stay on the site, disconnected from your name. Delete them individually first if you want them removed.

Does deleting my account cancel Reddit Premium?

No. Reddit's help says you need to cancel Reddit Premium separately before you delete the account.

How long does Reddit take to delete an account?

Reddit says it starts a deletion process within 90 days to remove or anonymise your account from its servers.