Telegram is a popular messaging app known for its security features, but there may come a time when you want to delete your account. Whether you’re concerned about privacy or simply moving to a different platform, this guide will walk you through the process of permanently deleting your Telegram account.
Exporting Your Data Before Deletion
Before you delete your account, it’s wise to export your important data. Telegram allows you to save your chat history, contacts, and media files.
Step 1: Open the Telegram desktop app and go to Settings.
Step 2: Click on “Export Telegram Data” in the left sidebar.
Step 3: Choose the types of data you want to export (chats, media, contacts, etc.).
Step 4: Select your preferred format (HTML for easy viewing or JSON for machine-readable data).
Step 5: Click “Export” and wait for the process to complete.
Deleting Your Telegram Account via Web Browser
The most direct method to delete your Telegram account is through their official deactivation page.
Step 1: Visit the Telegram Deactivation page at Authorization
Step 2: Enter your phone number in international format (e.g., +1XXXXXXXXXX for US numbers).
Step 3: You’ll receive a confirmation code in your Telegram app. Enter this code on the website.
Step 4: On the next page, you can optionally provide a reason for leaving. Then click “Delete My Account”.
Step 5: Confirm your decision in the pop-up window by clicking “Yes, delete my account”.
Setting Up Account Self-Destruction on Mobile
If you prefer to use the mobile app or want to set your account to delete after a period of inactivity, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Telegram app and go to Settings.
Step 2: Tap on “Privacy and Security”.
Step 3: Scroll down to “Delete my account”.
Step 4: Tap on “If away for” and choose a time period (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year).
Step 5: Your account will be automatically deleted if you don’t log in during the specified period.
What Happens After Deletion?
When you delete your Telegram account:
- All your messages, contacts, and media are permanently erased from Telegram’s servers.
- Groups and channels you created will continue to exist, with a random member promoted to admin if you were the sole administrator.
- Your phone number will be blocked from creating a new Telegram account for several days.
- Any active sessions on other devices will be terminated.
It’s important to note that deletion is irreversible. Once confirmed, there’s no way to recover your account or its data. Make sure you’ve exported any important information before proceeding with deletion.
Deleting your Telegram account is a straightforward process, but it’s crucial to understand the implications. Take the time to back up any important data and consider your decision carefully. If you’re leaving due to privacy concerns, remember that Telegram offers various security settings that might address your issues without the need for full account deletion.