What happens to my messages when I delete my account?

All cloud messages are permanently deleted from Telegram servers. Regular chats, groups, and channels are removed. Secret chats were never stored in the cloud and remain on participants' devices until they delete them.

Can I recover my Telegram account after deletion?

No. Deletion is immediate and permanent. You cannot recover your account, messages, contacts, or groups. To use Telegram again, you must create a completely new account.

What happens to groups and channels I created?

If you're the only owner, they may be deleted. Transfer ownership to another admin before deleting your account to preserve the group/channel. Other admins can continue managing it after you leave.

Will my username be available to others?

Yes, immediately. Your @username becomes available for anyone to claim right after deletion. If you have a recognizable username, someone could potentially take it and impersonate you.

How do I export my Telegram data before deletion?

Use Telegram Desktop: Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram data. Select what to export (chats, media, contacts) and choose export location. The mobile app has limited export capabilities.

What's the difference between manual deletion and auto-delete?

Manual deletion (via web) is immediate and permanent. Auto-delete happens after your set inactivity period (1-12 months, default 6). Manual is instant, auto-delete gives you a grace period to return.

Can I use the same phone number for a new account?

Yes. After deletion, your phone number becomes immediately available to create a new Telegram account. You'll start completely fresh with no contacts, chats, or groups from the old account.

How to Delete Your Telegram Account - Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Written & Verified By

Delete.Directory Content Team

Our team of privacy advocates and messaging platform specialists verify every deletion process through hands-on testing.

This guide helps you permanently delete your Telegram account. We believe in digital autonomy: your right to leave any platform should be as easy as joining it. Follow these verified steps to ensure complete account deletion.

How We Verified This Guide

Methodology: Hands-on testing with live accounts

Quick Information

Time Required

10 minutes

Difficulty

medium

Steps

5 steps

Official Resources

Telegram - Deactivate Your Account

Official deletion guide from Telegram

Additional Resources

[1]

Telegram Privacy Policy

Official privacy policy detailing data handling and user rights

[2]

Telegram FAQs

Official FAQ covering account management and deletion

[3]

Export Telegram Data

How to export your Telegram data before deletion

Step-by-Step Guide

Export Your Telegram Data (Optional)

Before deletion, export your Telegram messages and media. Open Telegram Desktop, go to Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram data. Select what to export: chats, contacts, media, etc.

Tips

•Desktop app has full export feature, mobile is limited
•Export can take time depending on chat history size
•Exported data is saved locally on your computer

Transfer Ownership of Channels and Groups

If you own or admin any Telegram channels or groups, transfer ownership to another admin. Open channel/group settings, select another admin, and transfer ownership to them.

Tips

•Channels/groups without owners may be deleted
•Choose trusted admins for ownership transfer

Warnings

•Owned channels/groups may be deleted when account is removed
•Cannot recover ownership after account deletion

Visit Telegram Deactivation Page

Go to https://telegram.org/deactivate in your web browser. You cannot delete your account from the Telegram app itself; you must use the web interface.

Tips

•Must use web browser, not the app
•Works on any device with browser access

Enter Your Phone Number and Verification Code

Enter your phone number (with country code) associated with your Telegram account. Telegram will send a verification code to your Telegram app. Enter this code on the deactivation page.

Tips

•Code appears in Telegram app, not as SMS
•Use international format for phone number (e.g., +1 for US)

Warnings

•Need access to Telegram app to receive code
•Code expires after a few minutes

Confirm Account Deletion

Read the warning about data deletion and click 'Delete Account'. Your Telegram account is immediately and permanently deleted. All cloud chats, contacts, and groups are removed.

Warnings

•Deletion is immediate and irreversible
•All cloud messages permanently deleted
•Secret chats already deleted from servers are unaffected

Important Warnings

All Cloud Messages Permanently Deleted

Telegram stores your messages in the cloud. When you delete your account, ALL cloud chats, groups, and channels are permanently deleted from Telegram servers. Unlike WhatsApp, there's no local backup option. Export your data before deletion if you want to keep messages.

Must Use Web Interface - Cannot Delete From App

You cannot delete your Telegram account from the mobile or desktop app. You MUST use the web interface at telegram.org/deactivate. This is an intentional security measure to prevent accidental deletions.

Channels and Groups You Own May Be Deleted

If you own Telegram channels or groups with no other owners, they may be permanently deleted when you remove your account. Transfer ownership to trusted admins before deletion to preserve communities you created.

Username Becomes Available to Others

Your Telegram username (@username) becomes immediately available for anyone else to claim after deletion. Someone could potentially impersonate you by taking your old username. Consider this if you have a recognizable username.

Auto-Delete After Inactivity Period

Telegram automatically deletes accounts inactive for 6 months (default) or your custom period (1-12 months). If you just stop using Telegram, your account will eventually self-delete. Manual deletion is immediate.

Secret Chats Already Self-Destructed

Secret chats in Telegram are device-specific and not stored in the cloud. They're already deleted from Telegram servers and remain only on your device. Deleting your account doesn't affect secret chats on other users' devices.

Alternatives to Consider

Let Account Auto-Delete After Inactivity

easy

Instead of manual deletion, simply stop using Telegram. Your account will automatically be deleted after your set inactivity period (default 6 months, customizable from 1-12 months in Settings).

Pros

•No manual deletion process needed
•Grace period to change your mind
•Can return before auto-delete period
•Customizable deletion timeframe

Cons

•Data remains on Telegram servers until auto-delete
•Takes months to complete deletion
•Doesn't address immediate privacy concerns
•Username remains claimed during this time

2 min

Export All Telegram Data First

medium

Use Telegram Desktop to export complete chat history, media, contacts, and account data before deletion. This creates a comprehensive local backup of your Telegram content.

Pros

•Complete backup of all conversations
•Includes media, files, and contacts
•Preserves chat history permanently
•Can search exported data later

Cons

•Requires Telegram Desktop app
•Large file size for active users
•Time-consuming export process
•Not encrypted in exported format

30 min

Delete Specific Chats Instead of Account

easy

If you want to remove specific conversations but keep your account, delete individual chats or clear history. This removes content while maintaining your Telegram account and contacts.

Pros

•Keep Telegram account active
•Selectively remove sensitive chats
•Maintain groups and channels
•Can continue using Telegram

Cons

•Doesn't address overall privacy concerns
•Account data remains on servers
•Other participants still have chat history
•Time-consuming for many chats

15 min

Frequently Asked Questions

No. You must use the web interface at telegram.org/deactivate. Telegram intentionally doesn't allow deletion from the app to prevent accidental deletions. You'll need a web browser to delete your account.

References & Citations

[1]
Telegram Privacy Policy
Official privacy policy detailing data handling and user rights
https://telegram.org/privacy
[2]
Telegram FAQs
Official FAQ covering account management and deletion
https://telegram.org/faq
[3]
Export Telegram Data
How to export your Telegram data before deletion
https://telegram.org/blog/export-and-more

All citations verified as of 11/8/2025. We regularly review and update all external links to ensure accuracy.

Found incorrect information?

We strive for accuracy. If something's outdated or wrong, let us know.

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Critical Warnings

All Cloud Messages Permanently Deleted
Telegram stores your messages in the cloud. When you delete your account, ALL cloud chats, groups, a...
Must Use Web Interface - Cannot Delete From App
You cannot delete your Telegram account from the mobile or desktop app. You MUST use the web interfa...
Channels and Groups You Own May Be Deleted
If you own Telegram channels or groups with no other owners, they may be permanently deleted when yo...

Last Updated

November 8, 2025

Telegram Account Deletion

How We Verified This Guide

Quick Information

Official Resources

Additional Resources

Step-by-Step Guide

Export Your Telegram Data (Optional)

Transfer Ownership of Channels and Groups

Visit Telegram Deactivation Page

Enter Your Phone Number and Verification Code

Confirm Account Deletion

Important Warnings

All Cloud Messages Permanently Deleted

Must Use Web Interface - Cannot Delete From App

Channels and Groups You Own May Be Deleted

Username Becomes Available to Others

Auto-Delete After Inactivity Period

Secret Chats Already Self-Destructed

Alternatives to Consider

Let Account Auto-Delete After Inactivity

Export All Telegram Data First

Delete Specific Chats Instead of Account

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Citations

Found incorrect information?

Quick Navigation

Related Guides

Critical Warnings

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