Pinterest gives you two choices: pause your account temporarily or delete it completely

If you want to stop using Pinterest, you have two paths. Deactivating your account hides your profile and boards for 30 days — during that window you can reactivate and get everything back. Deleting your account is permanent. After 30 days, Pinterest removes your profile, boards, pins, and saved items. You cannot undo a deletion after that 30-day window closes.

Most people choose deletion because they do not plan to return. Deactivation makes sense only if you might change your mind within a month. Either way, the process takes less than five minutes and requires no special tools or information beyond your login.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account for 30 days and lets you reactivate anytime during that period; deletion is permanent after 30 days pass.
  • You must log into your Pinterest account to delete it — Pinterest will not process deletion requests from email or through a contact form.
  • Deletion removes your profile, all boards, all pins, and all saved items, but does not automatically remove pins you posted from other websites.
  • If you use Pinterest to log into other apps or websites, deleting your Pinterest account will break those logins.

How to delete your account on a computer

Open Pinterest in your web browser and log in if you are not already signed in. Click the profile icon in the top right corner — it looks like a small circle with your photo or initial. A dropdown menu appears. Select "Settings" from that menu.

On the Settings page, scroll down to the bottom. You will see a section labeled "Account" with several options. Look for "Deactivate account" or "Delete account" — the exact wording depends on your account type and region. Click that option. Pinterest will ask you to confirm your choice and may ask why you are leaving. You can skip the reason or type one in; it does not affect whether your account closes. Click the final confirmation button, and your account is deactivated or deleted.

How to delete your account on the Pinterest app

Open the Pinterest app on your phone and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down and tap "Account settings." Look for "Deactivate account" or "Delete account" near the bottom of that screen.

Tap your choice. Pinterest will show a confirmation screen explaining what happens next. Read it carefully — this is your final note to change your mind before the process starts. Tap the confirmation button to proceed. The app will log you out when ready.

What happens to your pins and boards after deletion

When you delete your account, Pinterest removes your profile page and all boards you created. Any pins you saved to your own boards disappear from your account. However, pins you created and posted to the public web — through a blog, website, or article — may still exist on those original websites. Deleting your Pinterest account does not remove the pins from their source.

If you shared pins on other social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, those shares remain on those platforms. Only your Pinterest profile and your Pinterest-specific activity vanish. If you want those shares removed too, you will need to delete them separately on each platform.

The 30-day window: what you can still do

After you deactivate or delete your account, you have 30 days to change your mind. Log back into Pinterest with your original email and password, and your account reactivates with everything intact — your boards, pins, followers, and saved items all return.

After 30 days pass, the deletion becomes permanent. Pinterest permanently removes all your data from their servers. You cannot recover your account, boards, or pins after that point. If you think you might want to come back, set a phone reminder for day 29 so you do not miss the window.

Disconnecting Pinterest from other apps and websites

If you used your Pinterest account to log into other apps or websites — such as home design apps, recipe sites, or shopping platforms — those logins will stop working after your account is deleted. Before you delete Pinterest, log into those apps and websites and change your login method to an email address or a different social account.

To see which apps and websites are connected to your Pinterest account, go to Settings and look for "Connected apps" or "Authorized apps." Review the list and disconnect any you no longer want linked. This step takes a few minutes but prevents you from being locked out of other accounts.

Removing your data from Pinterest's servers

Deletion removes your account from Pinterest's public-facing systems, but some data may remain in their backup systems for a limited time. If you want to request that Pinterest remove all your personal data more thoroughly, you can submit a data deletion request through their privacy settings.

Go to Settings, find "Privacy and data," and look for "read your data" or "Request data deletion." Pinterest will provide options to read a copy of your data or request permanent deletion. This process is separate from account deletion and may take longer to process, but it ensures Pinterest removes your information from their internal systems as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Pinterest account without logging in?

No. Pinterest requires you to log in to your account before you can delete it. If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page to reset it, then proceed with deletion. Pinterest does not process deletion requests through email or contact forms.

What if I reactivate my account after 20 days — can I delete it again?

Yes. If you reactivate during the 30-day window and then change your mind again, you can delete it a second time. The new deletion starts a fresh 30-day countdown. You have until day 30 of the second deletion to reactivate again.

Will deleting my Pinterest account remove me from group boards I was invited to?

Yes. When your account is deleted, you are removed from all group boards, including ones you did not create. Other members will see that your profile no longer exists, but the boards themselves and the pins on them remain for the other members.

Do I need to delete my Pinterest account if I just want to stop using it?

No. You can straightforward stop logging in. However, your profile and boards will remain public and searchable unless you delete the account. If you want your profile completely removed from Pinterest's search results, deletion is the only way.

Can Pinterest recover my account after the 30 days are up?

No. After 30 days, the deletion is permanent and irreversible. Pinterest does not restore deleted accounts under any circumstances. If you think you might return, reactivate before day 30 ends.