How to Delete Your Telegram Account in 2025
Telegram is one of the most popular messaging apps, known for its speed, security, and unique features like secret chats, bots, and massive group sizes. However, if you’ve decided it’s time to move on, take a break, or switch platforms, you may be wondering: how do I delete my Telegram account?
Unlike most apps, Telegram doesn’t offer a direct “Delete Account” button in the mobile app, which can be confusing for users. But don’t worry—in this guide, we’ll walk you through how to delete your Telegram account manually or automatically, whether you’re using iPhone, Android, or desktop.
Why You Might Want to Delete Your Telegram Account
People delete their Telegram accounts for many reasons:
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Too many notifications or distractions
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Switching to another platform like WhatsApp or Signal
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Privacy or security concerns
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Reducing digital clutter
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No longer using the app
No matter your reason, it’s important to know the right method to ensure your data is deleted and your account is gone for good.
Things to Know Before Deleting Telegram
Before you proceed, keep the following points in mind:
Deleting your Telegram account is permanent:
All your messages, contacts, channels, groups, and media will be erased. There’s no way to recover them later.
Your data is not stored forever:
Telegram doesn’t store your chats on its servers (except for cloud chats), so once your account is gone, all linked data is gone too.
Backup your important info:
If there are messages or files you want to keep, download them manually or take screenshots before you delete your account.
Method 1: Manually Delete Your Telegram Account (Fastest Method)
To delete your Telegram account instantly, you need to use the official Telegram deactivation page from a browser.
Step-by-step:
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Go to this link from a browser:
https://my.telegram.org/auth -
Enter your phone number in international format (e.g., +1 234 567 8901).
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Telegram will send a login code to your Telegram app (not via SMS).
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Enter the code on the website to log in.
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Once logged in, click on “Delete Account”.
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On the next screen, Telegram will ask:
“Why are you leaving?” (This is optional.) -
Click “Delete My Account” to confirm.
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You’ll see a final prompt. Select Yes, delete my account.
Done! Your account has now been permanently deleted.
Tip: After deleting your account, you can create a new one with the same number—but you won’t get your messages or data back.
Method 2: Auto-Delete Account After Inactivity
Telegram offers a self-destruct option that automatically deletes your account if you stop using the app for a certain period.
This is great if you:
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Are taking a break
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Don’t want to manually delete
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Want a set-it-and-forget-it approach
How to enable auto-deletion:
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Open the Telegram app on your phone.
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Tap the three-line menu (top left) > Settings.
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Go to Privacy and Security.
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Scroll to “Delete My Account If Away For”.
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Choose your preferred timeframe:
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1 month
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3 months
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6 months
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12 months (default)
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If you don’t log into Telegram during that period, your account will be automatically deleted, along with all messages, groups, and media.
How to Delete Telegram from Your Phone (After Account Deletion)
Once your account is deleted, you may also want to uninstall the Telegram app from your device.
On Android:
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Press and hold the Telegram icon.
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Tap Uninstall > OK.
On iPhone:
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Press and hold the Telegram icon.
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Tap Remove App > Delete App.
This cleans up your device and ensures you’re no longer receiving notifications or updates.
Pro Tips Before You Go
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Inform your contacts that you’re leaving Telegram if you’re in regular conversations.
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Transfer admin roles for any channels or groups you manage.
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Clear sensitive data from chats and cloud files if you want extra privacy.
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Take screenshots or backups of important messages or media.
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Consider auto-delete if you’re undecided about quitting Telegram permanently.
Conclusion
Telegram offers powerful privacy features and customization—but if it no longer fits your digital lifestyle, deleting your account is a quick and straightforward process. Whether you’re doing a digital detox, switching to a new messaging app, or just clearing clutter, this guide shows exactly how to do it, step by step.
So now that you know how to delete your Telegram account in 2025, go ahead and take control of your digital footprint!
FAQs
Can I reactivate my Telegram account after deletion?
No. Once your account is deleted, it’s gone permanently. You can create a new account with the same number, but your messages, groups, and channels will not return.
Will my contacts know I deleted my account?
Yes. Your name will disappear from their contact list and your conversations will show as “Deleted Account.” All your messages in group chats will remain but appear without your name.
What happens to my groups and channels?
If you were the creator of a group or channel, it will be deleted unless you transferred admin rights before deletion. If you were just a member, you’ll be removed from them.
What happens to secret chats?
Secret chats are device-specific and disappear when your account is deleted or the app is uninstalled.