How to Delete Your Telegram Account Permanently (iPhone, Android & Web) — 2026 Guide
Deleting a Telegram account isn't as obvious as you'd expect. Uninstalling the app doesn't do it, and there's no big red "Delete account" button in most versions of the app. There are two official ways: delete it instantly through Telegram's website, or let Telegram delete it automatically after a period of inactivity.
Fastest way: open my.telegram.org in a browser → enter your phone number → enter the code Telegram sends to your Telegram app → Delete account → confirm. Deletion is permanent, so export anything you want to keep first.
Before You Delete: 3 Things to Do
- Export your data. On Telegram Desktop, go to Settings → Advanced → Export Telegram data to save chats, photos and files. Once the account is deleted, nothing can be recovered.
- Transfer your channels and groups. If you own a channel or group that should keep running, make someone you trust an admin and transfer ownership first.
- Make sure you can log in. You'll need the login code, which Telegram sends to an active Telegram session — so do this while you're still logged in on at least one device.
Method 1: Delete Your Telegram Account Instantly (Any Device)
- Open a browser on your phone or computer and go to my.telegram.org.
- Enter your phone number in international format (for example +1 for the US, +44 for the UK).
- Telegram sends a confirmation code as a message inside your Telegram app, not by SMS. Copy it into the website.
- Click Delete account.
- Optionally give a reason, then confirm the deletion.
This works the same on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac because it happens in the browser. Some versions of the Telegram app also include a delete option in your profile settings, which leads to the same result.
Method 2: Use the Self-Destruct Timer
If you'd rather just stop using Telegram, set your account to delete itself automatically:
- Open Settings → Privacy and Security.
- Find Delete my account → If away for.
- Choose a period, such as 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.
If you don't open Telegram for that long, your account is deleted. Logging in on any device resets the timer — so log out of all other devices (Settings → Devices → Terminate all other sessions) if you choose this method.
What Happens When You Delete Your Account
| Item | What happens |
|---|---|
| Your messages and chats | Deleted from your account |
| Contacts | Deleted |
| Messages you sent in groups | May remain visible, shown from "Deleted Account" |
| Groups and channels you created | Can continue to exist, but you lose control unless you transferred ownership |
| Your username | Becomes available again (collectible usernames are a separate case on Fragment) |
| Your phone number | Can be used to create a brand-new account later |
Alternatives to Deleting
- Log out everywhere and take a break — your account stays, but you won't get notifications.
- Tighten privacy — hide your phone number, last seen and profile photo. See how to hide your phone number on Telegram.
- Block or report people who bother you instead of leaving Telegram.
- Secure a hacked account instead of deleting it: terminate other sessions, enable Two-Step Verification, and follow our guide on recovering a hacked Telegram account.
The Bottom Line
To delete your Telegram account permanently, use my.telegram.org — it takes two minutes and works on any device. Export your data and hand over any channels first, because deletion can't be undone. If you just want a break, the self-destruct timer or tighter privacy settings may be all you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I delete my Telegram account instantly?
Go to my.telegram.org in a browser, enter your phone number with the country code, enter the login code Telegram sends to your Telegram app, choose 'Delete account', and confirm. This is the fastest way to delete your account.
Does uninstalling Telegram delete my account?
No. Uninstalling the app only removes it from your phone. Your account, chats and contacts remain on Telegram's servers until you delete the account or the self-destruct timer runs out.
What happens to my channels and groups when I delete my Telegram account?
Your messages and contacts are deleted. Groups and channels you created can continue to exist, but you lose control of them — so transfer ownership to someone you trust before deleting if you want them to keep running.
Can I recover a deleted Telegram account?
No. Deletion is permanent. You can register a new account with the same phone number afterwards, but your old chats, contacts and channels will not come back. Export anything you want to keep first.
How does the Telegram self-destruct timer work?
Under Settings > Privacy and Security, 'If away for' deletes your account automatically if you don't use Telegram for the period you choose — such as 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. Any login during that period resets the timer.