How to Delete Your Telegram Account
Step-by-step guide to permanently deleting your Telegram account. Covers data export, group ownership transfer, the web deactivation process, and the iOS in-app method.
Telegram does not make account deletion obvious. There is no "Delete Account" button in the Android app, no setting buried in a menu, and no link in the desktop version. The only reliable way to do it is through a specific web page that most people do not even know exists.
The good news is that the process itself only takes about two minutes once you find the right page. The bad news is that Telegram's deletion is instant and irreversible. There is no 30-day grace period like TikTok or Instagram. The moment you confirm, your messages, groups, channels, and contacts are gone from Telegram's servers permanently.
Here is how to do it safely, with everything you should take care of before you hit that button.
Export your chat history and media
Once your account is gone, there is no way to retrieve any of your conversations or files. Telegram stores everything in the cloud, and deletion wipes it all from their servers immediately. Open Telegram Desktop (the macOS or Windows app). Go to Settings, click Advanced, then click Export Telegram Data. You can choose what to include: personal chats, group chats, channels, media files, voice messages, and more. Pick what matters to you and choose a location on your computer. Click Export and wait for it to finish.
Heads up: The data export feature is only available in Telegram Desktop. You cannot export your data from the mobile app or the web version. If you only use Telegram on your phone, download Telegram Desktop, log in, and run the export from there.
Transfer ownership of groups and channels
If you created any groups or channels, you are the only owner. When you delete your account, those groups and channels become permanently unmanageable. No one can add new admins, change settings, or take ownership. Members can still chat, but nobody can moderate. Open each group or channel you own, tap the group name at the top, then tap Edit. Go to Administrators, add the person you want to take over, and tap their name to promote them to Owner. You need to have two-step verification enabled for at least 7 days before you can transfer ownership. If you have not set that up yet, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Two-Step Verification and set it up now.
Good to know: Not sure which groups or channels you own? Open Settings, tap your name, and scroll through your channel and group lists. Any group where you see "Owner" next to your name in the admin list is one you need to transfer before deleting.
Open Telegram's deactivation page
Telegram does not let you delete your account from within the Android or desktop app. You need to use a specific web page. Open a browser on your computer or phone and go to my.telegram.org/deactivate. This is Telegram's official account deactivation portal. It works on any device with a browser.
Enter your phone number and get the verification code
Type your phone number in full international format. That means including the country code with a plus sign at the beginning. For example, a US number would look like +1 555 123 4567. Click Next. Telegram will send a verification code, but not via SMS. The code arrives as a message inside the Telegram app from the Telegram service account. Open Telegram on any device where you are still logged in, find the code, and enter it on the web page.
Heads up: You must still be logged into Telegram on at least one device to receive the code. If you have already logged out everywhere or uninstalled the app, log back in first. You cannot complete the deletion without the in-app verification code.
Confirm the deletion
After entering the code, Telegram shows a final confirmation screen. It explains that deleting your account will remove all your messages, contacts, and groups, and that this action cannot be undone. Type "Delete my account" in the text field (or tap the confirmation button, depending on your browser). Click Done. Your account is deleted immediately. There is no waiting period, no grace period, and no way to recover it. The moment you confirm, everything is gone.
Heads up: Unlike TikTok or Instagram, Telegram does not give you a 30-day window to change your mind. Deletion is instant and permanent. Make absolutely sure you have exported everything you need before confirming.
Delete from the iOS app instead
If you use an iPhone or iPad, Telegram also offers an in-app deletion option. Apple requires apps to provide this under their App Store guidelines. Open Telegram on your iPhone. Go to Settings, then Privacy and Security. Scroll to the very bottom and tap Delete My Account. Follow the prompts to confirm. The result is identical to the web method. Your account is permanently deleted on the spot.
Good to know: If you would rather not delete immediately, Telegram has a built-in self-destruct timer. Go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then "If Away For" and set it to 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. If you do not log in during that period, your account is automatically deleted.
Two minutes of actual work, but the prep beforehand is what matters. Exporting your data and transferring your groups are the steps most people skip and then regret. If you are not ready to commit to permanent deletion, consider using Telegram's built-in auto-delete timer instead. It quietly deletes your account after a set period of inactivity, anywhere from one month to one year. You will find it under Settings, then Privacy and Security, then "If Away For." Once your account is deleted, you can create a new one with the same phone number after a few days. But you will be starting completely fresh with no message history, no contacts, and no groups. If you are cleaning house across multiple platforms, we also have guides for deleting your TikTok account and deleting your Instagram account. We also have a guide on deleting your Reddit account if you are trimming your online presence across the board. We also have a guide on deleting your Cash App account if you are trimming your digital footprint.
Questions we get asked about this
Answers from experience, not a textbook.
No. Removing the app from your phone only removes the app itself. Your account, messages, groups, and all your cloud data stay on Telegram's servers indefinitely. To actually delete your account, you need to go through the deactivation page at my.telegram.org/deactivate or use the iOS in-app option.
No. Telegram's deletion is immediate and permanent. There is no recovery option, no grace period, and no way to contact support to get your account back. This is different from platforms like TikTok that give you 30 days to change your mind.
Your messages remain visible in other people's chats, but your name changes to "Deleted Account" with a grey placeholder avatar. In group chats, your messages stay in the history under the same "Deleted Account" label. You cannot retroactively delete your messages from other people's conversations after your account is gone.
No. Only the iOS app has a built-in deletion option (required by Apple's App Store guidelines). If you use Android, Windows, macOS, or Linux, you must use the web deactivation page at my.telegram.org/deactivate. It works in any browser on any device.
Your username is released and becomes available for anyone else to claim. If you have a desirable username and plan to return to Telegram later with a new account, someone else may take it in the meantime.
This is very difficult. Telegram sends the verification code inside the app, not via SMS. If you have lost your SIM card but are still logged into Telegram on any device, you can still receive the code and complete the deletion. If you are logged out everywhere and cannot receive messages on your old number, you may need to wait for the auto-delete timer to kick in (default is 6 months of inactivity).
Yes, but you need to wait a few days. Telegram requires a cooling-off period of roughly 2 to 7 days before you can register a new account with the same phone number. After that, you can sign up fresh. None of your old data carries over.
Account Deletion Guides
How to Delete Your Instagram Account
How to Delete Your TikTok Account
How to Delete Your Telegram Account
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How to Delete Your Cash App Account