Deleting your Telegram account removes it completely from Telegram's servers

When you delete a Telegram account, the app erases your profile, chat history, contacts, and all stored messages within 30 days. Telegram does not keep backups of deleted accounts, so this action is permanent. You cannot recover your account, your username, or any messages once deletion is complete.

The process itself takes just a few minutes, but you should know what happens to your data and your chats before you start. Other people will still see your old messages in group conversations, but your profile will no longer appear in their contacts or search results.

Key Takeaways

  • You delete your Telegram account through the Settings menu in the app, not through a website or email process.
  • Deletion is permanent after 30 days — Telegram cannot restore your account, messages, or username once that period ends.
  • Your messages stay visible in group chats and channels, but your name will show as "Deleted Account" to other users.
  • If you want to keep your account but stop using it, you can hide your online status and disable notifications instead of deleting.
  • You must have access to the phone number linked to your account to complete deletion.

Steps to delete your account on Android or iPhone

Open Telegram and go to Settings (the gear icon at the bottom right on iPhone, or the three horizontal lines on Android). Scroll down and tap Privacy and Security. At the bottom of that menu, you will see Delete Account. Tap it.

Telegram will ask you to confirm your phone number and send a code to that number via SMS or call. Enter the code when it arrives. Then select your reason for leaving from the dropdown menu — this is optional, but Telegram uses the feedback to improve the app. Tap Delete My Account to finish. Your account will be scheduled for deletion and removed completely after 30 days.

During those 30 days, you can still log back in and cancel the deletion if you change your mind. After 30 days, the deletion is final.

What happens to your messages and groups

Messages you sent in one-on-one chats will disappear from the other person's phone once the 30-day window closes. However, messages in groups and channels remain visible with your name replaced by "Deleted Account." Other members can still see what you wrote, but they cannot click on your profile or message you.

If you were the creator of a group or channel, that group or channel will remain active. Telegram does not automatically transfer ownership to another member, so the group stays as it is with you listed as the creator — though your profile will show as deleted.

Deactivating instead of deleting

If you are not ready to delete permanently, you have another option: deactivation. A deactivated account hides you from search results and contact lists, but keeps your account on Telegram's servers. You can reactivate it anytime by logging back in with your phone number.

To deactivate, go to Settings > Privacy and Security and look for Deactivate Account (on some versions, this appears as a separate option above Delete Account). Choose this if you want to step back without losing your data or username permanently.

Removing Telegram from your phone after deletion

Once your account is deleted, you can uninstall the Telegram app from your phone. On iPhone, press and hold the Telegram icon on your home screen, then tap Remove App > Delete App. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find Telegram, tap it, and select Uninstall.

If you reinstall Telegram later, you will need to create a new account with a different phone number, since your old number is no longer tied to an active account.

What you cannot recover after deletion

Telegram does not offer a way to download your chat history before deletion. If you need to save important conversations, you should take screenshots or use Telegram's built-in export feature (available on desktop) before you delete. Once deletion is complete, there is no way to retrieve messages, media files, or contact information.

Your username also becomes available for someone else to claim after deletion. If you have a username you want to keep, consider deactivating instead, since deactivated accounts hold onto their usernames indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my deletion after I start the process?

Yes, you have 30 days to cancel. Log back into Telegram with your phone number and password, and your account will reactivate. After 30 days, cancellation is no longer possible and the deletion becomes permanent.

Will other people know I deleted my account?

No notification is sent to your contacts. They will simply see your profile as "Deleted Account" when they try to view it or search for you. In group chats, your old messages will show as sent by "Deleted Account."

What if I forgot the phone number linked to my account?

You cannot delete your account without access to that phone number. Contact Telegram support through the app's help menu, though they may not be able to help if you no longer have access to the number. In that case, you can only deactivate by logging in if you still remember your password.

Does deleting Telegram remove my account from other devices?

Yes. Deletion removes your account from all devices at once. If you were logged into Telegram on your phone, tablet, and desktop, all sessions end immediately when you complete the deletion process.

Can I use the same phone number to create a new Telegram account after deletion?

Yes, but you must wait until after the 30-day deletion period ends. Once your account is fully deleted, you can sign up again with the same phone number and create a fresh account.