When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
Telegram boasts more than 900 million monthly active users but finds itself under the spotlight, from a CEO arrested in Europe to concerns about the security of the messaging platform. So users may be asking themselves how to permanently delete their Telegram account.
However, if you wish to delete your Telegram account immediately, it is often easier said than done.
Below, we’ll examine how to close a Telegram account on iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac and explore whether you should keep the messaging service or not.
Key Takeaways
- To delete your Telegram account, you’ll need access to the device where the account was created (for instance, your smartphone) and a confirmation code sent via the app.
- You can delete your TG account instantly through the Telegram Deactivation page, regardless of whether you’re using iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac.
- Telegram does not offer a temporary deactivation option, but you can set your account to auto-delete after a period of inactivity.
- Simply uninstalling the Telegram app will not delete your account – it will remain active unless manually deleted or left inactive for six months.
- Telegram offers an auto-delete feature that allows you to automatically erase messages after 24 hours, one week, or one month.
How to Delete a Telegram Account on iPhone
You can delete a Telegram account on your iPhone/iOS by following the steps outlined below:
Open the Telegram app.
Select Settings.
Choose Privacy and Security.
Scroll down to the If Away For option.
Select Delete Account Now.
Confirm your account deletion.
How to Delete a Telegram Account on Android
If you want to delete a Telegram account on Android, you can do so by following these steps:
Open the Telegram app.
Navigate to Settings.
Select Telegram FAQ.
Navigate to Your Account > Delete your Telegram account, or alternatively, navigate to the Telegram Deactivation link page on your smartphone browser.
Once the Telegram deactivation page opens, enter your phone number to receive a confirmation code (the code will be sent to you via the app).
Enter the code.
Press Delete My Account.
How to Delete Your Telegram Account on Windows
You can delete your Telegram account via the web browser by completing the following steps:
Open up your web browser.
Navigate to the Telegram Deactivation link via your web browser.
Enter the phone number you used to make your account and click Next (Telegram with send you a confirmation code to your device with the Telegram mobile app).
Enter the code and select Sign in to sign into your account (this will take you to the delete account page).
Confirm your account deletion by clicking Yes, delete my account.
To uninstall Telegram from your Windows device:
Open the search menu.
Search for the Control Panel.
Navigate to the Programs option.
Select Uninstall a program.
Select Telegram Desktop from the list, followed by the Uninstall option at the top of the page.
Click the Yes option to confirm.
Delete Your Telegram Account on Mac
The process for deleting your Telegram account on a Mac is pretty much the same as on a PC.
You can delete your Telegram account in one minute via the web browser by following these steps:
Open up your web browser.
Navigate to the Telegram Deactivation page via your web browser.
Enter the phone number you used to make your account and click Next (Telegram will send you a confirmation code to your device with the Telegram mobile app).
Enter the code and select Sign in to sign into your account (this will take you to the delete account page).
Click Delete My Account.
Confirm your account deletion by clicking Yes, delete my account.
If you want to uninstall Telegram from your Mac desktop:
Go to Launchpad.
Click on the Telegram app.
Drag it into the Bin.
When the popup asks if you want to delete the application, select the Delete option.
Now open up the Bin and press Empty to delete all trash, or find the Telegram option and delete it manually.
Can I Deactivate My Telegram Account?
While many apps like WhatsApp allow users to deactivate their accounts, Telegram doesn’t offer this option. The closest thing to deactivation offered by Telegram is the option to choose how long your account will be allowed to be inactive before being deleted.
Leaving your account inactive gives you time to change your mind while still ensuring that it will be deleted if you forget.
Should I Delete My Telegram Account?
There are many reasons why you may want to delete your Telegram account. In August 2024, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France for allegedly failing to crack down on illegal activity on the platform, such as drug trafficking and terrorism.
Exactly what this means for the platform remains to be seen, so some users may opt to leave the app in case of any uncertainty.
Meanwhile, there is an ongoing debate between Signal vs. Telegram about which messaging app is more secure. Our verdict is Signal for privacy features. For instance, Signal offers end-to-end encryption by default, whereas Telegram only encrypts messages in Secret Chats.
If you do choose to delete your Telegram account note that you can export your Telegram chat archive via your account settings.
The Bottom Line
Telegram is a very useful messaging app, but deleting it will require extra steps, including configuration codes.
In any case, if you have access to the device you used to create the account, then it shouldn’t be too difficult. Even if you don’t, you can wait six months for Telegram to delete the account anyway.
