DeviantArt deletion is permanent and removes your profile, art, and comments when ready

When you delete a DeviantArt account, the site removes your profile page, all uploaded artwork, your username, and every comment you have posted. The deletion is when ready and cannot be undone. If you have art you want to keep, read it before you proceed — once the account is gone, you cannot retrieve the files from DeviantArt.

DeviantArt does not offer a temporary deactivation option. You can hide your profile from search results or make it private, but those are not the same as deletion. If you want the account completely gone, deletion is the only path.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion removes your profile, all artwork, and all comments permanently and when ready — there is no recovery period.
  • You must read any art you want to keep before you delete, because DeviantArt does not preserve files after account removal.
  • The deletion option is in your account settings under the Security tab, not in a separate menu.
  • DeviantArt will ask you to confirm your password and reason for leaving before the deletion completes.

How to read your artwork before deletion

Open DeviantArt and go to your profile. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner and select "Settings." From Settings, choose "Privacy" and look for an option to read your data or export your gallery. DeviantArt may offer a bulk read tool, or you may need to read pieces individually by right-clicking each image and selecting "Save image as."

If you have a large gallery, downloading individually takes time. Check whether DeviantArt currently offers a data export feature by looking in Settings under "Privacy" or "Account" — the exact location changes with site updates. If no bulk read exists, open each piece in a new tab and save it to a folder on your computer before you proceed with deletion.

Steps to delete your account

Log into DeviantArt with your username and password. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings." In Settings, click the "Security" tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see a section labeled "Delete Account" or "Close Account." Click that button.

DeviantArt will ask you to enter your password again to confirm your identity. Type it in and click "Continue." The site will then ask you to select a reason for leaving from a dropdown menu — common options include "I no longer use this site" or "I want to use a different account." Select the reason that matches your situation. Click the final confirmation button. Your account will be deleted when ready.

What happens to your comments and favorites after deletion

Comments you have posted on other users' artwork will be removed from those pages. Your username will no longer appear on any piece you commented on. Favorites you have marked will also disappear — other users will not see your name in their favorite lists.

If other users have favorited your artwork, those favorites will be lost when your account deletes. There is no way to transfer your art or your followers to a new account, so if you plan to return to DeviantArt later, consider deactivating instead of deleting. A deactivated account can sometimes be reactivated, though DeviantArt's policy on this varies.

Deactivation as an alternative to deletion

If you are not certain you want to delete permanently, check whether DeviantArt offers account deactivation. A deactivated account hides your profile from public view and stops your activity from appearing on the site, but the account can sometimes be restored if you change your mind. The exact terms depend on how long the account has been inactive and DeviantArt's current policy.

To explore deactivation, go to Settings and look for a "Deactivate Account" or "Pause Account" option separate from deletion. If you find one, follow those steps instead. Deactivation is reversible; deletion is not.

Removing your art from other sites before deletion

If you have shared your DeviantArt work on other platforms — such as social media, art forums, or portfolio sites — those copies will remain on those sites after your DeviantArt account is gone. Deleting your DeviantArt account does not remove your art from anywhere else.

Before you delete, visit any other sites where you have posted your work and remove the pieces yourself if you do not want them public. This includes art theft detection sites, art aggregators, and any personal websites or blogs where you have embedded or linked to your DeviantArt gallery.

What to do if you cannot find the delete option

DeviantArt updates its interface regularly, and the location of the delete button sometimes moves. If you cannot find it in Settings under Security, try these steps: log in, click your profile icon, select "Settings," and look through every tab on the left side — check "Account," "Privacy," "Security," and "Notifications." The delete option is usually in one of these sections.

If you still cannot locate it, visit the DeviantArt Help Center and search for "delete account" or "close account." The Help Center will show you the current location of the deletion tool. You can also contact DeviantArt support through the Help Center if the button is missing or broken, though support response times vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my account after I delete it?

No. DeviantArt deletion is permanent and when ready. Once you confirm deletion, your account, profile, and all artwork are gone and cannot be restored. If you think you might return to DeviantArt later, deactivate instead of delete.

Will my username become available for someone else to use?

Yes. After deletion, your username is released back into the pool and another user can claim it. If you want to preserve your username, do not delete the account.

What if I forgot my password and cannot delete my account?

Use the "Forgot Password" link on the DeviantArt login page to reset your password. Once you have access to your account again, follow the deletion steps in Settings. If you cannot access the email address linked to your account, contact DeviantArt support for help.

Does deleting my account remove my art from Google search results?

Google will eventually remove your DeviantArt pages from its index, but this can take weeks or months. If you want faster removal, use Google Search Console to request removal of your DeviantArt URLs directly.

Can I delete my account if I have an active commission or sale?

You can delete your account at any time, but doing so while a transaction is pending may cause problems for the buyer or commissioner. Complete or cancel any active transactions before you delete.