How to Permanently Delete Your Telegram Account in 5 Simple Steps

If you’ve been looking for simple and safe instructions for how to delete your Telegram account, you’re in the right place. Telegram is a popular messaging app known for its security features and cloud-based functionality. It was created with anti-censorship sensibilities in mind, and has been praised for its end-to-end encryption. But unfortunately, these same security features have caused controversy, notably with Telegram being used by terrorist groups to coordinate attacks in secret. 

Whatever the reason you might want to drop Telegram—from saving storage space to tightening up your digital footprint—we can show you how to delete your Telegram account, and walk you through the process step by step.

Why You Might Consider Deleting Your Telegram Account

Before you dive into deleting your account, make sure you think carefully about why you want to delete it. There may be an alternative solution to your problem that doesn’t involve permanently deleting your account and its data. Some reasons to consider:

• Privacy concerns: Some users prefer to limit their digital footprint and avoid storing personal data on cloud-based platforms.
• Switching to alternative platforms: Users may migrate to other messaging services that better suit their needs.
• Inactive account: If you no longer use Telegram regularly, keeping an account may not be necessary, and may simply take up space.
• Security risks: While Telegram provides encryption, users concerned about data security may opt to delete their accounts.

Deleting your account is an irreversible action, meaning you will permanently lose access to any messages, contacts, and groups created under your account. Be sure to back up any important data beforehand, or risk losing it forever. 

Step 1: Back Up Your Data Before Deleting Your Account

Once you delete your Telegram account, all associated data, including chats, media, and contacts, will be gone for good. After ensuring that your device is free from malware, follow these steps to back up your information:

• Export chats. On the Telegram desktop app, navigate to Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram Data to save your conversations.
• Save media. Manually download any important photos, videos, or documents you might need later.
• Notify contacts. Remember to inform your contacts about your decision to delete your account, and let them know how to get in touch with you through other platforms.

After securing your data and saving any important information, you can safely proceed with the deletion process.

Step 2: Access Telegram Settings

Unlike many messaging apps, Telegram does not provide an account deletion option directly within the mobile or desktop app. You must access Telegram’s account management page through a web browser.

1. Open a browser on your desktop or mobile device
2. Go to Telegram’s Deactivation Page
3. Enter the phone number linked to your Telegram account
4. Tap Next and check your Telegram messages for a confirmation code
5. Enter the received code on the website to proceed

Step 3: Select ‘Delete My Account’ Option

Once you’ve logged in to the Telegram deactivation page, follow these steps:

1. Locate the Delete My Account section
2. Review the warning messages about data loss and the consequences of deletion
3. Choose a reason for why you are leaving Telegram
4. Click or tap Delete My Account to continue

Step 4: Confirm Your Decision to Delete the Account

Telegram will ask for final confirmation before processing your request. Keep in mind:

• Once it’s deleted, you cannot restore your Telegram account or any associated data.
• You will need to create a new account from scratch if you decide to use Telegram again.
• If you attempt to register with the same phone number immediately after deletion, Telegram may temporarily restrict new registrations for that number.

After carefully reviewing these details, you can finalize the process.

Step 5: What Happens After Deleting Your Telegram Account?

Once your account is deleted all chats and contacts are removed, you will no longer have access to your previous messages, groups, and saved contacts. However, any groups you created will remain. If you were the admin of a group it will remain active, but your account will no longer be associated with it (this might be a privacy concern for many). Telegram does not provide a way to recover deleted accounts, so the process is permanent. Plus, as we previously mentioned, if you want to create a new Telegram account using the same phone number, you may have to wait for a specified period.

End your transmissions on your terms

Now that you know how to delete your Telegram account you can decide whether it’s a step you want to take towards securing your digital privacy. Whether or not you continue to use Telegram, it’s important to protect your devices and personal data with reliable cybersecurity software. Speak to our support team to learn more about how we can help keep your digital presence secure.