Step-by-Step Guide · Updated 2026

How to Delete Your Telegram Account

To delete your Telegram account permanently, open my.telegram.org/deactivate, log in with your phone number, enter the code Telegram sends to your app, and confirm Delete My Account. It takes about 3 minutes and cannot be undone.

Open the Official Deactivation Page

Works on any device Official Telegram method 3 ways explained

3 Ways to Delete a Telegram Account

Method	Speed	Best for
1. Deactivation website	Instant	Everyone — works on phone, tablet or computer
2. Telegram app (iPhone)	Instant	iPhone and iPad users who prefer the app
3. Self-destruct timer	After 1–24 months of inactivity	Lost access to your phone, or you want a safety net

Before You Delete: 5-Point Checklist

Export your data

On Telegram Desktop open Settings → Advanced → Export Telegram data to save chats, photos and contacts. After deletion nothing can be downloaded.

Transfer channel and group ownership

Channels and groups you created survive without an owner. Make a trusted admin the owner first (Telegram may require two-step verification to be enabled for a while).

Use or move Stars, gifts and usernames

Telegram Stars, gifts and a Premium subscription are lost with the account. Collectible usernames bought on Fragment should be transferred before you delete.

Withdraw wallet and bot balances

Crypto wallets and bots inside Telegram are tied to your account. Move any funds out before deleting, because you will not be able to log in again.

Stay logged in on one device

The confirmation code arrives inside the Telegram app, not by SMS. Keep at least one active session open until the deletion is finished.

Method 1: Delete on the Telegram Deactivation Page (Instant)

This is the official page Telegram itself links to. It works from any browser on Android, iPhone, Windows or Mac.

Open my.telegram.org/deactivate.
Enter your phone number in international format (country code first, for example +44 7700 900123) and tap Next.
Open Telegram on your phone or computer. A message from the official Telegram account contains your confirmation code. Type it on the website and tap Sign In.
Optionally tell Telegram why you are leaving, then tap Delete My Account.
Confirm with Yes, delete my account. Done — the account is gone immediately.

Only use the official domain my.telegram.org. Never enter your code on any other site and never share it with anyone — Telegram staff will never ask for it.

Method 2: Delete From the Telegram App on iPhone

Open Telegram and tap Settings.
Tap Edit in the top corner and scroll to the bottom.
Tap Delete Account and read the screens that list what you will lose.
Continue, enter your phone number and the code (plus your two-step verification password if you set one), then confirm.

Android and Desktop: menus change between app versions, and many versions only offer the self-destruct timer. If you don't see an instant delete option, use Method 1 — it works on every device.

Method 3: Set the Self-Destruct Timer

Telegram automatically deletes accounts that stay inactive for a period you choose. Logging in even once resets the timer.

Open Settings → Privacy and Security.
Find Delete my account → If away for (called Automatically delete my account in some versions).
Pick the period — 1 month is the fastest; you can also choose 3, 6, 12, 18 or 24 months (18 months is the default).
Log out of all devices and don't log in again. The account is deleted when the period ends.

This is also the only way to remove an account you can no longer access, because it needs no confirmation code.

What Happens After You Delete Your Account

Profile, contacts and chat history are wiped and cannot be recovered.
People you talked to may still see old messages, now shown as from Deleted Account.
Channels and groups you created stay online without an owner; admins keep their rights.
Your username becomes free for others, and Premium, Stars and gifts are lost.
You can register again with the same number, but you start from zero.

Delete vs Log Out vs Self-Destruct

	Delete account	Log out	Self-destruct timer
Chats and contacts	Erased	Kept	Erased when the timer ends
Can you come back?	No, only as a new account	Yes, any time	Yes, until the timer ends
Channels you own	Left without owner	Unchanged	Left without owner
Needs the code	Yes	No	No

Telegram has no temporary “deactivate” switch. If you only need a break, log out or mute notifications instead of deleting.

Problems Deleting Your Account? Quick Fixes

I don't receive the confirmation code

Look inside the Telegram app, not your SMS inbox — the code comes from the official Telegram account. Check every device where you are logged in, including Telegram Desktop and Telegram Web.

The site says “Too many attempts”

Telegram temporarily blocks repeated requests. Wait several hours (sometimes up to a day) and try once more without refreshing the page repeatedly.

I lost my phone or SIM card

If you are still logged in on another device, use it to read the code. If you have no active session anywhere, you cannot delete instantly — the self-destruct timer will remove the account after it stays inactive.

Telegram is not loading at all

Check the live Telegram status page to see whether Telegram's servers are down in your region, then try again later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is deleting a Telegram account permanent?

Yes. Once you confirm, the account, your contacts and your chat history are removed and cannot be restored — not even by Telegram support.

How long does it take to delete a Telegram account?

With the website or the in-app option, deletion is instant. With the self-destruct timer, the account is deleted automatically after the period you choose (1, 3, 6, 12, 18 or 24 months; 18 by default) if you do not log in.

Can I sign up again with the same phone number?

Yes, but you start from zero: no chats, contacts, channels or username. If you delete and re-register many times, Telegram may make you wait a few days before you can sign up again.

Will my messages disappear for other people?

Your profile and contacts are wiped. People you chatted with may still see old messages, but they now appear as sent by Deleted Account.

What happens to my channels and groups?

They are not deleted. Groups and channels you created stay online without an owner, and existing admins keep their rights. Transfer ownership before you delete if you want to keep control.

Can I delete my Telegram account without the confirmation code?

No. The code is sent to a device where you are logged in to Telegram. If you lost access to every device, the only option is to wait for the self-destruct timer to delete the inactive account.

Deleting Because of Spam or a Hacked Account?

You may not need to delete at all. Lock it down with two-step verification, end unknown sessions and tighten your privacy settings in a few minutes.

Secure My Telegram Account

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