How to Delete Your Telegram Account Permanently in 2024

Deleting your Telegram account is easy if you know where to look. At first, I couldn’t find the option to delete my account permanently using my phone and desktop apps. Then, I read that it could be done via a web browser, but I still had no luck after logging into Telegram Web.

After a while, I finally found the solution. You can set up your account to self-destruct after a period of inactivity using the Telegram app on your device. However, to delete your Telegram account instantly without this option, you must visit the Telegram Deactivation Page and follow the step-by-step guide below.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Delete Your Telegram Account in 2024

If you want to delete your Telegram account instantly, open your browser and visit my.telegram.org. Note that this isn’t the same URL used for the Telegram Web version. This page is separate and isn’t used to access Telegram apps, channels, or any other content. Follow the steps below after you download your data:

1. Visit the Telegram Deactivation Page. Go to the Delete Account or Manage apps page and log in by entering the phone number you use for Telegram. After that, you’ll receive a verification code.
2. Enter the verification code into the designated area, and you’ll gain access to additional Telegram settings, such as API development tools and the option to delete your account.
   If you don't have access to your Telegram account, you won't be able to sign in
3. Click Delete account. You'll be directed to a new page that outlines the consequences of deleting your account. You’ll also see additional information, like how to change your number in Telegram and what to do if your account is restricted due to spam-related activity.
   Your phone number gets entered automatically
4. Confirm your choice to delete your Telegram account. You can now remove the app from your devices. You can’t reactivate your account after deletion, and you’ll have to wait a few days to sign up again with the same number.

How to Export Your Telegram Data

The option to export your data is only available on Telegram Desktop. If you use Telegram on your phone exclusively, you’ll need to download it on a computer first. It takes only a few minutes.

1. Open the Telegram app on your desktop device. Then click Settings > Advanced and scroll down to the bottom of the advanced settings list.
   The option was previously only available on Mac, but now it's on Windows too
2. Click Export Telegram data. You’ll see a long list of export settings.
   Depending on your data size and connection speed, this can take a while
3. Click Export. Now simply wait for all your data to download.

How to Delete Your Telegram Account on Android & iPhone

You can’t delete your account immediately or directly through the Telegram app on your mobile device. You can also change an option in the settings menu to automatically deactivate Telegram after a month of app inactivity. This can also be useful if you want to delete your Telegram account without getting a confirmation code. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your Telegram settings. Click on the 3-line icon (hamburger button) in the upper left corner of your Telegram app. Tap on Settings, and select Privacy and Security.
   I used Android for this guide, but the steps are the same for iPhone
2. Click on Delete my account. Per default, if you refrain from using Telegram for one year, your account will be automatically deleted. If you don’t want your account active for that long, you can choose the shortest, 1-month period.
   Earlier, Telegram accounts were set to auto-delete after 6 months of inactivity

That’s it. As long as you don’t use your account for the specified period of time, it will be deleted along with all your conversations, contacts, images, and other data stored on Telegram’s cloud.

How to Delete Your Telegram Account on Windows & Mac

1. Open the privacy and security settings of your Telegram app. The options are easy to find on the desktop app interface.
   The steps for Windows and Mac platforms are identical to those for Telegram's mobile apps
2. Scroll down to find the Delete my account option. Just like with mobile apps, Telegram for desktop only offers the account self-destruction option.
   Your Telegram account will be deleted after 1 month

How to Stay Safe on Telegram

Staying safe on Telegram requires a mix of vigilance and advanced security features. Here's how to protect your data when using Telegram:

• Enable two-step verification. Set up a password in addition to the SMS code to add an extra layer of security to your account.
• Use secret chats. For sensitive conversations, use Telegram's Secret Chats feature, which provides end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages.
• Adjust privacy settings. Customize your privacy settings to control things like who can see your phone number, the last time you were online, the channels you belong to, and your profile photo. Consider setting these to "My Contacts" or "Nobody."
• Be wary of suspicious links and messages. Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources to protect against phishing attacks and other harmful URLs.
• Limit sharing of personal information. Be cautious about sharing personal information in chats or groups, especially with users you do not know personally. If you delete your account, you can't go back and delete messages you sent previously.
• Regularly update the app. Ensure you have the latest version of Telegram to benefit from updated security features and bug fixes.
• Use a VPN. VPNs encrypt your internet connection, making it harder for third parties to intercept your data. Some VPNs also include threat blockers that prevent phishing links from opening.

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FAQs on Deleting Your Telegram Account

How can I deactivate my Telegram account temporarily?

Telegram doesn’t offer the option to deactivate your account temporarily. If you want to stop using it for a while, simply delete your Telegram app and reinstall it when you want to come back. However, Telegram provides an automatic account self-destruct feature. This erases your account after 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year of inactivity.

Can I delete my Telegram account without a confirmation code?

Yes, but only indirectly through the account self-destruct feature. Before deleting your account, just remember to download important chats, files, and contacts. If you wish to delete your account without manually entering a confirmation code, you can set it to automatically delete after a period of inactivity.

How long does it take to delete a Telegram account?

The manual deletion process is instant. However, Telegram apps only include the self-destruct feature based on inactivity, so the deletion occurs after the specified period of time you selected (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year )​​. To delete your Telegram account instantly and permanently, you need to visit the Telegram Deactivation Page. If you set up the inactivity-based deletion method, the period will reset any time you open the app again.

Can I delete my Telegram account from another phone?

Yes, you can manage and delete your Telegram account from any phone. As long as you can receive the confirmation codes sent by Telegram, you can delete your Telegram account on any mobile device. You can also remotely log out of sessions on other devices through the Telegram app by going to Settings > Devices and terminating any session you wish. This does not delete your account, but removes access from that device​​.

How can I reactivate my Telegram account after deletion?

Once a Telegram account is deleted, it can’t be restored. If you delete your account, all data, including messages and contacts, is permanently erased. Before deleting, export your Telegram data. While you can create a new account using the same phone number after deletion, it won’t have any of the data from the previously deleted account. This means starting anew without access to your old chats or contact list.

What happens if I delete my Telegram account too often?

You usually have to wait a few days before creating a new account. This is to protect against potential misuse. Remember, once your account gets deleted, you won't be able to retrieve any messages, images, or downloads you had, so ensure you export your data before deleting it.

Does being banned from Telegram delete my data?

No, your data isn’t deleted if you’re banned or temporarily blocked from Telegram. In these cases, your data will still be there if your account is restored. If you aren’t sure why you were banned or blocked, you can reach out to Telegram support.

Conclusion

I recommend using the desktop version to delete your Telegram account so that you can export your data beforehand—this feature isn't available on mobile devices. By exporting your data, you can retain important information like contacts and files.

Once your Telegram is deactivated, your account and data are gone forever. Additionally, deleting your account doesn't remove your messages from your contacts' chats or delete any files you've shared in public spaces. Make sure you never share anything you might regret in the future.