How to permanently delete your Pinterest account
To delete your Pinterest account, go to Pinterest.com, sign in, and open your account settings. Select "Account" from the left menu, scroll to the bottom, and click "Deactivate account" or "Delete account" — the exact wording depends on whether you want a temporary pause or permanent removal. Pinterest will ask you to confirm your password and give you a reason for leaving (optional). Once you confirm, your account is gone within a few days, though Pinterest keeps your data for a limited time in case you change your mind.
The difference matters: deactivating pauses your account for 30 days and lets you reactivate it by signing back in. Deleting removes it permanently after that 30-day window closes. Most people who want to leave should choose delete, because deactivation is really just a waiting period.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent deletion happens through Account Settings at the bottom of the page, not through a help article or support form.
- Pinterest holds your data for 30 days after deletion in case you reactivate, then removes it permanently.
- If you only want to hide your account temporarily, use deactivation instead — it lets you come back without losing anything.
- Deleting your account does not remove pins you saved to other people's boards, only the pins on your own boards.
- You cannot delete an account while logged out; you must be signed in and use the official settings menu.
Step-by-step deletion on desktop
Open Pinterest.com in your browser and sign in with your email and password. Once you are on your home feed, look for your profile icon in the top right corner — it is usually a small circle with your photo or initial. Click it to open a dropdown menu.
From that menu, select "Settings" (it may also say "Settings and privacy"). This takes you to your account page. On the left side, you will see a menu with options like "Account," "Notifications," and "Privacy." Click "Account." Scroll all the way to the bottom of this page — you may need to scroll past several sections like "Login" and "Email." At the very bottom, you will see a red button or link that says "Deactivate account" or "Delete account." Click it.
Pinterest will show you a confirmation screen. It asks why you are leaving (this is optional — you can skip it). Below that, it asks you to enter your password again to confirm you really want to delete. Type your password and click the final confirmation button. Your account is now scheduled for deletion and will be fully removed within a few days.
Step-by-step deletion on mobile app
Open the Pinterest app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. At the top right, you will see three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) or a gear icon — tap whichever one appears. This opens your settings menu.
Look for "Settings" or "Settings and privacy" and tap it. Scroll down until you see "Account" — tap that section. Keep scrolling to the very bottom of the Account page. You will find a red button or link labeled "Deactivate account" or "Delete account." Tap it. Pinterest will ask you to confirm your password and may ask why you are leaving. Enter your password and tap the final confirmation button. Your account deletion is now in progress.
What happens to your pins and boards after deletion
When you delete your account, all the pins you created and saved to your own boards are removed from Pinterest. Other people can no longer see them or access them. However, if you saved pins to other people's collaborative boards or group boards, those pins stay on those boards — deletion only removes content from your personal account.
If someone else saved one of your pins to their own board before you deleted your account, that pin may still appear on their board, but it will no longer link back to your profile. Any comments you left on other people's pins are also removed. Messages you sent through Pinterest are deleted from your inbox, but the person who received them may still see them in their message history.
The 30-day window and what it means
After you click delete, Pinterest does not remove your account when ready. Instead, it enters a 30-day deactivation period. During this time, your account is hidden from public view — no one can find your profile or see your pins. However, you can still reactivate your account by signing back in with your email and password. If you do, everything returns exactly as it was.
After 30 days pass without you signing back in, Pinterest permanently deletes all your data. At that point, reactivation is no longer possible. If you change your mind during the 30 days, straightforward log in again and your account will be restored. This waiting period exists so you do not lose everything by accident.
If you forgot your password or cannot sign in
You must be signed in to delete your account through settings. If you cannot remember your password, go to Pinterest.com and click "Forgot password?" on the login screen. Enter the email address connected to your account. Pinterest sends you a link to reset your password — check your email (including spam folders) for this link. Click it, create a new password, and sign in. Once you are logged in, follow the deletion steps above.
If you no longer have access to the email address connected to your account, you will need to contact Pinterest support. Go to help.pinterest.com, click "Contact us," and explain that you cannot access your email. Pinterest support can verify your identity through other information and help you regain access or delete the account without signing in.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are not sure whether you want to leave Pinterest permanently, deactivation is a safer choice. When you deactivate, your profile and pins become hidden from other users, but your account still exists. You can reactivate anytime within 30 days by straightforward signing back in — no confirmation needed, no waiting period. After 30 days, a deactivated account is treated the same as a deleted one.
Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Pinterest without losing your saved pins and boards. It is also useful if you want to see whether you actually miss the platform before making a permanent choice. The deletion button and deactivation button are in the same location in settings, so you can choose whichever fits your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Pinterest account if I have a business account?
Yes, the process is the same for business accounts. Go to Settings, select Account, scroll to the bottom, and click Delete account. Your business profile, pins, and analytics will all be removed. If you want to keep the account but stop using it, deactivate instead.
What if I signed up with Facebook or Google instead of an email?
You can still delete your account. Sign in using the same Facebook or Google account you used to create Pinterest. Go to Settings, Account, and click Delete at the bottom. You will be asked to confirm your identity — Pinterest may ask you to re-enter your Facebook or Google password to verify it is really you.
Will deleting my Pinterest account remove me from group boards?
Yes. Once your account is deleted, you are removed from all group boards and collaborative boards. Any pins you added to those boards stay on the boards, but they no longer show your name or link to your profile.
Can someone else use my email address to create a new Pinterest account after I delete mine?
Yes, but not when ready. After you delete your account, Pinterest holds your email address for a short time. Once that period ends, someone else can sign up with that same email. If you want to prevent this, you can change the email on your account before deleting it, or delete the account and then create a new one with the same email right away to reserve it.
Does Pinterest send a confirmation email when I delete my account?
Pinterest does not always send a confirmation email, but your account deletion is still processed. If you want to be certain it worked, try signing in a few days later — if you cannot log in, the deletion went through. If you can still sign in, your account was not deleted and you can try again.