If you’ve decided to leave Telegram for good, the process is simpler than most people expect. The only instant, official method to delete Telegram account permanently is through Telegram’s own deactivation website, not the mobile app. This clean guide walks you through the exact steps on Android, iPhone, and desktop, plus optional data backup, auto‑delete, troubleshooting, and FAQs. Deletion is irreversible—once confirmed, your chats, media, and cloud data are gone.
Quick Answer: Delete Your Telegram Account in 4 Steps
- Open a browser and go to: https://my.telegram.org/auth?to=deactivate
- Enter your phone number with the country code (e.g., +1, +44, +92).
- Get the login code in Telegram; if you can’t access the app, select “Log in using SMS.”
- Sign in, click Delete account, confirm the prompt. Your account is removed within seconds.
Tip: Check the URL carefully. Only use my.telegram.org—never third‑party sites.
Step‑by‑Step by Device
Android
- Open Chrome or another browser.
- Visit https://my.telegram.org/auth?to=deactivate
- Type your number in international format and tap Next.
- Enter the code you receive in the Telegram app or by SMS.
- Tap Delete account → confirm.
iPhone (iOS)
- Open Safari and go to https://my.telegram.org/auth?to=deactivate
- Enter your phone number with the country code.
- Retrieve the code from Telegram or choose SMS.
- Select Delete account and confirm.
PC or Mac
- Go to https://my.telegram.org in any desktop browser.
- Log in with your number and the one‑time code.
- Click Delete account → confirm the warning.
Note: The Telegram mobile app doesn’t offer instant deletion. The website above is the official route.
Optional: Auto‑Delete From Inside the App
If you don’t need to delete Telegram account permanently right now, set it to self‑destruct after inactivity:
- Telegram app → Settings → Privacy & Security → Delete my account if away for → choose 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year.
If you stay inactive for the chosen period (no logins on any device), Telegram deletes your account automatically. Any login resets the timer.
Back Up Your Data Before Deleting (Recommended)
Worried you might need an old file or chat later? Export your data first.
- Install Telegram Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux).
- Go to Settings → Advanced → Export Telegram data.
- Choose what to save: private chats, group chats, photos, videos, files, stickers, GIFs, and more.
- Pick HTML for easy viewing or JSON for structured data.
- Click Export and wait for the archive to generate.
Important notes:
- Secret chats cannot be exported because they are end‑to‑end and device‑only.
- After deletion, you cannot recover or export anything.
Transfer Admin Rights for Groups/Channels (If You Have Them)
If you run communities, hand them over before deleting.
- Open your group/channel → Manage → Administrators.
- Promote a trusted admin and transfer ownership if needed.
- If you run bots, document tokens and hand over access via BotFather.
This prevents communities from being stranded under a “Deleted Account.”
Can You Delete Without the App, Without a Code, or Without Your Phone Number?
- Without any code: No. Telegram requires a one‑time code for security.
- Without the app but with your number: Yes. On the deactivation page, choose “Log in using SMS.”
- Without your phone number (lost SIM): Recover the number through your carrier first. Telegram cannot verify ownership otherwise.
- Forgot 2‑Step Verification password: Use “Forgot password.” If you didn’t set a recovery email, Telegram enforces a waiting period before you can sign in again to proceed with deletion.
- Banned/limited accounts: If you can sign in with your number and code, you can still delete via the portal. Otherwise, recover the number or resolve the restriction.
Troubleshooting
Not receiving the login code
- Recheck the country code and number format (+XX).
- Wait 60 seconds; then request the SMS option.
- Disable VPN/proxy temporarily; try a different network.
- Toggle airplane mode on/off to refresh signal.
- Confirm SMS isn’t blocked by Do Not Disturb or spam filters.
- On dual‑SIM phones, ensure the correct SIM is active for SMS.
Forgot your 2‑Step Verification password
- Tap “Forgot password” and use your recovery email to reset.
- If no recovery email, wait out Telegram’s mandatory cooldown, then log in and delete.
Deactivation site won’t open
- Use HTTPS and the exact domain my.telegram.org.
- Clear your browser cache or switch browsers.
- If your ISP blocks Telegram, try a different connection.
Too many attempts
- Stop requesting new codes for a few minutes to avoid rate limits, then try again.
What Happens After You Delete Telegram Account Permanently
- Your profile, contacts, Saved Messages, cloud chats, and media are wiped from Telegram’s servers.
- Groups/channels you created continue to exist, but your profile shows as “Deleted Account.”
- Your username becomes available for others.
- Old messages may remain in other users’ chats unless they choose to delete them.
- You can create a new account later with the same number, but previous data is not recoverable.
Privacy Cleanup Before You Delete
Do a quick sweep so you leave nothing behind that you didn’t intend to.
- Review sessions: Settings → Devices → terminate unknown sessions.
- Delete synced contacts: Settings → Privacy & Security → Data Settings → Delete Synced Contacts (optional).
- Cancel subscriptions (e.g., Telegram Premium) and check app store billing.
- Revoke third‑party authorizations you no longer need.
- Announce transitions in groups/channels and transfer admin rights.
Alternatives if You Only Need a Break
Not sure you want to delete Telegram account permanently? Try these first:
- Restrict who can find you via your phone number (Settings → Privacy & Security).
- Limit Last Seen and Online status to My Contacts or Nobody.
- Mute or archive noisy chats; turn off notifications per chat.
- Clear cache and limit auto‑downloads to reduce storage usage.
- Log out from all devices instead of deleting the account.
FAQs
How do I delete my Telegram account permanently?
Open https://my.telegram.org/auth?to=deactivate, log in with your number and the code (from Telegram or via SMS), select Delete account, and confirm.
How long does it take?
Instant deletion finishes within seconds after confirmation. The in‑app auto‑delete triggers after your chosen inactivity period (1–12 months).
Can I delete from the app?
Not instantly. Use the deactivation website. The app only offers the inactivity auto‑delete timer.
Will my messages disappear for other people?
Not necessarily. Your messages can remain in their chat history, but your profile will show as “Deleted Account.”
Can I recover my account after deletion?
No. You can register again with the same number, but the previous data is gone.
Can I delete without a code?
No. For security, Telegram requires verification via a one‑time code sent to the app or by SMS.
Conclusion
The fastest way to delete Telegram account permanently is to use Telegram’s official deactivation portal, verify with a one‑time code, and confirm. Do a quick backup with Telegram Desktop, transfer any group/channel ownership, and close out extra sessions before you proceed. If you only need time away, set the auto‑delete timer or tighten privacy settings. Otherwise, the steps above will remove your account cleanly and for good.