How Can Users Delete Their Telegram Account, and What Happens to Their Data Afterward?
Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 8:21 am
Telegram is known for its privacy-focused messaging platform, but users may still decide to delete their accounts for various reasons, such as switching to a different app or wanting to remove their digital footprint. Understanding the process of deleting a Telegram account and what happens to user data afterward is important for anyone considering this step.
How to Delete Your Telegram Account
Telegram does not offer a direct “delete account” button telegram data within the mobile app settings. Instead, users must delete their accounts via a dedicated web page:
Visit the Telegram Deactivation Page
To delete an account, users must go to the Telegram Deactivation page atsing a web browser.
Log In with Your Phone Number
Users need to enter the phone number associated with their Telegram account. Telegram will send a confirmation code via the app or SMS, which must be entered to verify the request.
Confirm Account Deletion
After logging in, users will see an option to delete their account permanently. Telegram will ask for a reason, but this step is optional. Once confirmed, the deletion process begins immediately.
Automatic Account Self-Destruction Option
Telegram also offers an automatic self-destruction feature. If a user stops using Telegram for a predefined period (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year), their account and all associated data will be automatically deleted. By default, this period is set to 6 months.
What Happens to Your Data After Deletion?
Permanent Erasure of User Data
When a Telegram account is deleted, all associated user data is permanently erased from Telegram’s servers. This includes messages, contacts, media files, profile information, and chat history stored in Cloud Chats. Since Secret Chats are stored locally on devices, they are not affected by server-side deletion but will no longer be accessible through the account.
Removal from Contacts’ Lists
Deleted accounts are removed from other users’ contact lists, and your username or phone number will no longer appear. In group chats where the deleted user was a member, messages sent before deletion remain, but the account will appear as “Deleted Account.”
No Recovery After Deletion
Once an account is deleted, it cannot be restored. Users who want to use Telegram again must create a new account with a new phone number or the same number, but the new account will start fresh without any previous data or contacts.
Data Retention for Legal or Security Purposes
Telegram states that after deletion, user data is removed from their servers; however, like most services, they may retain anonymized or aggregated data for a short period to comply with legal requests, prevent fraud, or maintain security. This data cannot be linked back to the individual user.
Considerations Before Deleting
Backup Important Data: Since deletion is irreversible, users should save any important messages, media, or contacts beforehand.
Group Ownership Transfer: If you own Telegram groups or channels, consider transferring ownership before deleting your account to avoid losing administrative control.
Understand Loss of Access: Deleting your account means losing access to Telegram’s entire ecosystem, including bots, channels, and contacts.
Conclusion
Deleting a Telegram account involves a straightforward process via Telegram’s web portal or automatic self-destruction after inactivity. Once deleted, Telegram permanently erases your data, removes you from contacts’ lists, and ensures there is no recovery path. This approach reinforces Telegram’s commitment to user control over personal data while giving users the freedom to leave the platform completely whenever they choose.
How to Delete Your Telegram Account
Telegram does not offer a direct “delete account” button telegram data within the mobile app settings. Instead, users must delete their accounts via a dedicated web page:
Visit the Telegram Deactivation Page
To delete an account, users must go to the Telegram Deactivation page atsing a web browser.
Log In with Your Phone Number
Users need to enter the phone number associated with their Telegram account. Telegram will send a confirmation code via the app or SMS, which must be entered to verify the request.
Confirm Account Deletion
After logging in, users will see an option to delete their account permanently. Telegram will ask for a reason, but this step is optional. Once confirmed, the deletion process begins immediately.
Automatic Account Self-Destruction Option
Telegram also offers an automatic self-destruction feature. If a user stops using Telegram for a predefined period (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year), their account and all associated data will be automatically deleted. By default, this period is set to 6 months.
What Happens to Your Data After Deletion?
Permanent Erasure of User Data
When a Telegram account is deleted, all associated user data is permanently erased from Telegram’s servers. This includes messages, contacts, media files, profile information, and chat history stored in Cloud Chats. Since Secret Chats are stored locally on devices, they are not affected by server-side deletion but will no longer be accessible through the account.
Removal from Contacts’ Lists
Deleted accounts are removed from other users’ contact lists, and your username or phone number will no longer appear. In group chats where the deleted user was a member, messages sent before deletion remain, but the account will appear as “Deleted Account.”
No Recovery After Deletion
Once an account is deleted, it cannot be restored. Users who want to use Telegram again must create a new account with a new phone number or the same number, but the new account will start fresh without any previous data or contacts.
Data Retention for Legal or Security Purposes
Telegram states that after deletion, user data is removed from their servers; however, like most services, they may retain anonymized or aggregated data for a short period to comply with legal requests, prevent fraud, or maintain security. This data cannot be linked back to the individual user.
Considerations Before Deleting
Backup Important Data: Since deletion is irreversible, users should save any important messages, media, or contacts beforehand.
Group Ownership Transfer: If you own Telegram groups or channels, consider transferring ownership before deleting your account to avoid losing administrative control.
Understand Loss of Access: Deleting your account means losing access to Telegram’s entire ecosystem, including bots, channels, and contacts.
Conclusion
Deleting a Telegram account involves a straightforward process via Telegram’s web portal or automatic self-destruction after inactivity. Once deleted, Telegram permanently erases your data, removes you from contacts’ lists, and ensures there is no recovery path. This approach reinforces Telegram’s commitment to user control over personal data while giving users the freedom to leave the platform completely whenever they choose.