Pinterest lets you delete your account in two ways: a temporary pause that lasts 30 days, or permanent deletion that removes everything after 30 days

If you choose permanent deletion, Pinterest keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. After that month, your profile, boards, pins, and saved items are gone. During those 30 days, you can log back in and cancel the deletion. Once the 30 days end, the deletion cannot be undone.

The temporary pause — called "deactivation" — hides your account but keeps all your data. You can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Choose deactivation if you might want to return to Pinterest later. Choose permanent deletion if you are certain you will not use the account again.

Key Takeaways

  • Permanent deletion takes 30 days to complete, during which you can still log in and cancel if you change your mind.
  • Deactivation hides your account immediately but keeps all your pins and boards; you can reactivate by logging in anytime.
  • You must be logged into your Pinterest account to start either process from the Settings menu.
  • Pinterest will not send you a confirmation email for permanent deletion, so write down the date your 30-day window ends.

How to permanently delete your Pinterest account

Log into Pinterest on a web browser (the mobile app does not have a delete option). Go to your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page and click "Deactivate account" — despite the name, this page gives you both options.

Click "Delete account" on the page that appears. Pinterest will ask you to confirm your password. Enter it and click "Delete account" again. You will see a message saying your account will be deleted in 30 days. Screenshot this page or write down today's date plus 30 days, because Pinterest does not send a reminder email.

Your profile will disappear from Pinterest immediately, but your data stays on Pinterest's servers for the full 30 days. If you log back in during this window, you will see an option to cancel the deletion. After 30 days pass with no login, the deletion becomes permanent.

How to deactivate your Pinterest account temporarily

Log into Pinterest on a web browser. Go to your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Scroll to the bottom and click "Deactivate account." On the page that appears, click "Deactivate account" (not "Delete account"). Confirm your password and click "Deactivate account" again.

Your profile will be hidden immediately. Your pins, boards, and saved items remain on Pinterest's servers. No one can find your profile or see your activity. You can reactivate your account anytime by logging in with your email and password — your data will return exactly as it was.

What happens to your data during the 30-day deletion window

During the 30 days after you request permanent deletion, your profile is hidden from other users. Your pins no longer appear in search results or on other people's feeds. However, Pinterest can still see your account if you log back in.

If you had saved pins from other websites using the Pinterest browser button, those pins stay on those websites — deleting your Pinterest account does not remove them from the original sources. If other users saved your pins to their boards before you deleted your account, those pins may still appear on their boards, though they will no longer link to your profile.

What to do if you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Pinterest login page. Enter your email address and Pinterest will send you a reset link. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes.

If you no longer have access to the email address linked to your account, you will need to contact Pinterest's support team. Go to Pinterest's Help Center, scroll to the bottom, and click "Contact us." Describe your situation and provide any information you remember about the account. Pinterest support can verify your identity and help you regain access or delete the account.

Removing Pinterest from other apps and websites

If you used your Pinterest account to log into other apps or websites, deleting Pinterest does not automatically disconnect those services. You should remove Pinterest access from any app or website where you used it.

On most services, go to your account settings and look for "Connected apps," "Linked accounts," or "Third-party access." Find Pinterest in the list and click "Disconnect" or "Remove." This prevents those apps from trying to access your Pinterest account after it is deleted. Check any app where you used "Log in with Pinterest" as your sign-in method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my Pinterest data before I delete my account?

Pinterest does not offer a built-in download option for your pins and boards. If you want to save your pins, take screenshots or use a browser extension designed to export Pinterest boards before you delete your account. Once deletion is complete, you cannot recover this data.

Will deleting Pinterest remove me from group boards I joined?

Yes. When your account is deleted, you are removed from any group boards you were part of. Other members can still see the pins you added to those boards, but your name will no longer appear as a contributor.

What if I delete my account but then want to rejoin Pinterest?

You can create a new account with the same email address after your old account is fully deleted (after the 30-day window). You can also create a new account with a different email address immediately. Your old pins and boards will not transfer to the new account.

Does deactivating my account hide me from search engines?

Deactivation hides your profile on Pinterest itself, but search engines like Google may still have cached versions of your profile from before you deactivated. You can ask Google to remove your profile from its search results by using Google Search Console, but this is a separate process from deactivating Pinterest.

Can I delete my account on the Pinterest mobile app?

No. The Pinterest mobile app only offers the deactivation option. To permanently delete your account, you must use a web browser on a computer or phone. Log into Pinterest.com, go to Settings, and follow the permanent deletion steps.