Delete TextNow from your iPhone in three steps

To delete your TextNow account on iPhone, you need to go through the TextNow app itself — deleting the app from your home screen does not remove your account. The actual deletion happens in the app's settings, and it takes about two minutes. Once you confirm the deletion, your account and all messages are permanently removed.

TextNow will ask you to confirm your choice before the deletion goes through. After you confirm, you cannot undo it, so make sure you have saved any messages or information you want to keep before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting the TextNow app from your iPhone does not delete your account — you must delete it through the app's settings menu.
  • The account deletion process takes place inside the TextNow app under Account Settings, not in your iPhone settings.
  • TextNow will ask you to confirm the deletion, and the action is permanent once you confirm.
  • After your account is deleted, you can remove the app from your home screen if you no longer want it.
  • If you only want to stop using TextNow temporarily, you can sign out instead of deleting the account entirely.

Step-by-step: Delete your account through the app

Step 1: Open TextNow and go to settings. Tap the TextNow app on your iPhone home screen. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a menu bar with several icons. Tap the gear icon or the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) — the exact icon depends on which version of TextNow you have. This opens your account menu.

Step 2: Find the Account or Settings option. Look for a section labeled "Account," "Settings," or "Profile." Tap it. You should now see options related to your account, such as your phone number, email, and password. Scroll down through this menu until you see an option that says "Delete Account," "Close Account," or "Deactivate Account."

Step 3: Confirm the deletion. Tap the delete option. TextNow will show you a warning message explaining that this action is permanent and will remove your account and all associated data. Read this message carefully. Tap the confirmation button (usually labeled "Delete" or "Yes, Delete My Account") to complete the process. Your account is now deleted.

What happens after you delete your account

Once your TextNow account is deleted, you lose access to your TextNow phone number immediately. Any messages stored in the app are gone. If someone tries to text or call your old TextNow number, they will receive a message saying the number is no longer in service.

You can now delete the TextNow app from your iPhone if you want. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen, then tap "Remove App" and confirm. This frees up space on your phone, but it is not necessary — the app will simply sit unused on your phone if you leave it there.

Sign out instead of deleting if you might return

If you are not sure whether you want to keep your TextNow account permanently, signing out is a safer choice than deletion. Signing out removes your access to the account but keeps it intact. You can sign back in later with your username and password and pick up where you left off.

To sign out, go to the same Account or Settings menu where you would delete the account. Look for a "Sign Out" or "Log Out" option instead. Tap it and confirm. The app will return to the login screen, and your account will remain on TextNow's servers until you decide what to do with it.

Troubleshooting: What if the delete option does not appear

If you cannot find a delete account option in your settings menu, you may be using an older version of the TextNow app. Open the App Store, search for TextNow, and check whether an "Update" button appears. If it does, tap it to update the app to the latest version. The delete option should appear after the update.

If you have updated the app and still cannot find the delete option, try signing out and signing back in. Sometimes the menu does not load correctly until you refresh your session. If the option still does not appear, you can contact TextNow support through the app's help menu or website to request account deletion manually.

Before you delete: Save information you want to keep

TextNow does not provide a way to download or export your message history before deletion. If you have important conversations or information in your messages, take screenshots of them before you delete your account. Open each conversation you want to save, take a screenshot of the messages, and save the images to your Photos app or cloud storage.

Also note your TextNow phone number if you need it for any reason — you will not be able to recover it after deletion. Write it down or take a screenshot of your account information page before you proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my TextNow account after I delete it?

No. Once you confirm the deletion, your account is permanently removed and cannot be recovered. TextNow does not offer a recovery window or undo option. If you think you might want to use TextNow again in the future, sign out instead of deleting.

Will deleting the app from my home screen delete my account?

No. Deleting the app only removes it from your phone. Your account remains active on TextNow's servers. You must delete the account through the app's settings menu to remove it permanently.

What happens to my TextNow phone number after I delete my account?

Your TextNow phone number becomes inactive immediately and is removed from the system. TextNow may reassign it to another user in the future. You cannot recover or reactivate your old number.

Do I need to delete my account if I just want to stop using TextNow?

No. You can simply sign out of the app and stop using it without deleting your account. If you change your mind later, you can sign back in with your username and password. Deletion is only necessary if you want to permanently remove your account and data.

Can I delete my TextNow account on the website instead of the app?

Yes. You can log into your TextNow account on the TextNow website from your iPhone's web browser and delete it there. The process is similar — go to Account Settings, find the delete option, and confirm. This works if you are having trouble with the app.