Are you thinking about leaving the messaging app that everyone uses? If you want to switch chat apps, are worried about your privacy and safety, or just want to leave less of a digital trail, you need to know how to delete your Telegram account. This full guide tells you everything you need to know about permanently deleting your account, what happens to your data, and things you should think about before you do something that can’t be undone. We’ll show you all the ways you can delete your Telegram account, from the built-in self-destruct feature to ways you can do it yourself. You’ll be able to do it with confidence when you’re ready.
Why Would You Want to Delete Your Telegram Account?
People delete their telegram accounts for a lot of different reasons, like wanting to keep their privacy safe or just needing a break from technology. Some people don’t like how their personal information is handled, and some people want to delete their account so they don’t get spam or other unwanted messages. A lot has changed in the world of instant messaging, and some people would rather use platforms like WhatsApp or others that better meet their needs.
They might want to delete your account if they think someone else has used it without permission or if they’re getting a new phone and want to start over. Some people get so many messages and notifications from this chat app that they can’t take it anymore and decide that the best way to get their digital peace back is to delete it. If you know why you want to do something, it can help you make the best choice for your situation.
Before you delete your account, think about whether changing your privacy settings or taking a break from the app might help. Some people like that they can delete the app without also deleting their account. The next sections will show you how to permanently delete your account if you really want to.
Understanding Telegram’s Account Self-Destruct Feature
Telegram has a unique “self-destruct” feature that deletes your account after a set amount of time without you using it. This built-in safety feature keeps users’ privacy safe and makes sure that accounts that are no longer used don’t stay active forever. If you don’t log in for six months, Telegram will automatically delete your account. However, you can change this time limit.
If you want to delete your account but aren’t ready to do it right away, you can turn on the self-destruct timer. When the timer runs out, your account and all of its messages, media, and contact lists are deleted. This process happens safely and doesn’t need any help from people.
To change the settings for self-destruct, go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Delete My Account. You can turn this feature off completely or choose the time frame that works best for you. This automated way to delete gives people who want to delete their telegram account but need more time to prepare more options.
To delete your Telegram account, follow these steps:
Method 1: Using the Telegram Deactivation Page

Go to the Telegram Deactivation Page: Open your web browser and navigate to the Telegram Deactivation Page.
Log in to your account:
- Enter your phone number in the international format (e.g., +1234567890).
- Telegram will send a confirmation code to your Telegram app (not via SMS).
Enter the confirmation code: Retrieve the code from your Telegram app and enter it on the website.
Select the option to delete your account: Once logged in, you will see options to manage your account. Click on the option to delete your account.
Confirm the deletion:
- Provide a reason for leaving if prompted (optional).
- Click on “Delete My Account”.
- Confirm your choice. Please be aware that this action is irreversible.
Method 2: Using the Telegram App (Self-Destruct Feature)
You can also set your Telegram account to self-destruct if it is inactive for a certain period.
Open Telegram app: Launch the Telegram app on your device.
Go to Settings:
- For iOS: Tap on “Settings” in the bottom right corner.
- For Android: Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner, then select “Settings”.
Navigate to Privacy and Security: Tap on “Privacy and Security”.
Set the Account Self-Destruct Timer:
- Scroll down to find the option “Delete my account if away for”.
- Select the inactivity period (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year).
If you remain inactive for the chosen period, your account and all associated data will be automatically deleted.
Important Considerations
- Data Loss: Deleting your account will permanently remove all your messages, groups, and contacts.
- Irreversibility: Once deleted, you cannot recover your account or its data.
- Re-registration: You can sign up again with the same phone number, but it will be a completely new account without previous data.
What Happens to Your Telegram Data When You Delete Your Account?
When you delete your Telegram account, all of the information that is connected to it is permanently removed from the servers. This includes all of your voice messages, chat history, media files you’ve sent or received, and any documents you’ve sent or received through the messaging app. You will be kicked out of all the channels and group chats you were in, and other people can now use your username.
If you delete your account, all of the information in it, like your profile picture, bio, and contact information, is also deleted. But remember that messages you sent to other users will still be in their chat history. They will show up as coming from a “Deleted Account” instead of showing your name or profile information. This is what most instant messaging apps do to keep conversations going.
You can also get your phone number back from the account without any problems. If you want to, you can make a new account with the same number. But once you delete your account, you won’t be able to get any of your old data, messages, or contacts back. You also lose the encryption keys that keep your conversations safe. This means that your deleted data is gone for good and telegram support can’t get to it.
Can You Recover a Deleted Telegram Account?
Once you delete your Telegram account, you can’t get it back. Some social media sites let you get your account back for a short time, but Telegram starts the process of permanently deleting your account right away after you confirm your decision. There is no way to get your account back after it has been confirmed that it will be deleted.
If you delete your account, you’ll have to start over with a new one if you want to use Telegram again. You can keep your phone number, but you’ll have to start over from scratch. There won’t be any contacts, chat history, or settings or preferences from before. You’ll have to rebuild your contact lists and join any groups or channels you were a part of before this new beginning.
Telegram is committed to keeping users’ privacy and safety safe, which is why deleting an account can’t be undone. This makes sure that when users delete their account, their data is really gone and no one, not even Telegram, can get it back. You can’t restore an account without any data, so make sure you’ve backed up any important information you might need later before you delete it.
How to Automatically Delete Your Account After Period of Inactivity
If you stop using Telegram, the automatic deletion feature is a good way to make sure your account doesn’t stay active forever. You can change this account’s self-destruct feature to make it work better for you. You can set the account to be inactive for anywhere from one month to one year before it is deleted. To set up automatic deletion, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Delete My Account.
The default setting is six months, but you can change it to fit your needs and preferences. If you’re not sure you want to leave Telegram for good but want to make sure your account doesn’t stay open forever, setting a longer time frame gives you more options. You don’t have to worry about accidentally deleting your account because the timer starts over every time you log in.
This feature is very helpful for people who travel a lot, switch devices often, or can’t always get to their accounts. If something happens that keeps you from getting to your account, it makes sure that your personal information won’t stay on the platform forever. The automatic deletion deletes all the same data as manually deleting it, which keeps your privacy safe.
Alternative Options: Deactivating vs. Permanently Deleting
You might want to think about whether temporarily deactivating your account would be better for you than permanently deleting it. Telegram doesn’t have a “deactivate” button like some other social networks do, but you can get the same effect by not using the app and letting your account die on its own. If you want to delete your account but aren’t sure, this gives you time to think about it again.
You could also remove the app from your device without canceling your account. This keeps your account safe and stops you from wanting to check your messages. If you need to, you can still get to your account through Telegram Web, but it’s harder to get to, which keeps you away from the platform. This is the best option for people who want to take a break but don’t want to delete their account right away.
You could also change your privacy settings so that only certain people can get in touch with you, turn off notifications, or leave group chats that are too busy. You don’t have to delete your account permanently to make the platform have a lot less of an effect on your daily life. Some people who have left Telegram for a short time think these changes are enough. If none of these other options work for you, you can always delete your account later.
Privacy and Security Considerations Before Account Deletion

Before you delete your Telegram account, you should know what will happen to your privacy and security. Telegram encrypts secret chats from beginning to end, but regular chats are stored on their servers with encryption while they are being sent and while they are being stored. When you delete your account, Telegram deletes your messages from its servers, but other people may still have copies of them in their chat histories.
You might want to use a VPN while you delete your account and do any last-minute things with it if you’re worried about your privacy. Telegram is known for being safe and private, but you can feel even safer by taking extra steps. Also, remember that any time you’ve talked to a bot, it may have saved some information. But if you delete your account, they won’t be able to collect any more data.
People who live in places with strict internet rules or who have shared private information on the site can feel safer knowing that their accounts will be deleted. Once your data is permanently deleted from Telegram’s servers, no one will ever be able to access it or get a court order to do so. One of the best things about Telegram is how well it protects your data and encrypts your messages.
Is it possible to temporarily delete a Telegram account?
Telegram does not offer a direct option to temporarily deactivate or delete an account. If you want to disable your account temporarily, use the “logout” option.
Log Out:
- You can log out of your account on all devices. This will effectively make you inactive without deleting your account.
- Open Telegram and go to Settings.
- Tap on Devices.
- Log out from all active sessions.
Things to Remember When You Delete Your Telegram Account
• Once you delete your account, you can’t get it back. You can’t get your account, messages, or data back after you confirm it.
• There are many ways to delete: you can do it through the mobile app, the browser, or by setting up automatic deletion after a certain amount of time of inactivity.
• All of your data is gone—Telegram’s servers permanently delete all of your messages, media, contacts, and account information.
• To prove who you are, you need to enter your phone number and a confirmation code that sends a text message with a code to your phone.
• Other people can still read your messages. Even though your account is gone, the messages you sent to other people will still be in their chat history.
• Your username becomes available—other people can use it after you delete it.
• The phone number is given out. You can make a new account with the same phone number, even if you already have one with that number.
• Consider other options first. For example, deleting an app or changing your privacy settings are both temporary fixes that might help without having to delete the app for good.
• Back up important files. Before you delete something, make sure to save it first because you won’t be able to get it back later.
• Self-destruct feature for accounts: Telegram will delete accounts that haven’t been used in a certain amount of time, so you don’t have to do it yourself.