How to delete your Telegram account on Android

To permanently delete your Telegram account on Android, open the Telegram app, go to Settings (the gear icon), tap Account, then select Delete Account. Telegram will ask you to confirm your phone number and give you a reason for leaving. After you confirm, your account and all messages are deleted within 30 days — you cannot undo this after you confirm.

The process takes about two minutes. You need access to the phone number registered to your account, because Telegram sends a confirmation code to that number before the deletion goes through. If you no longer have access to that phone number, you will need to contact Telegram support before you can delete the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion is permanent after you confirm — Telegram gives you 30 days to change your mind, but after that your account cannot be recovered.
  • You must have access to the phone number linked to your account, because Telegram sends a confirmation code to that number.
  • All your messages, contacts, and groups disappear when the account is deleted, though group chats you were part of remain for other members.
  • If you lose access to your phone number before deleting, contact Telegram support at support@telegram.org to request account deletion.

Step-by-step deletion on Android

Open the Telegram app on your Android phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Account. You will see a red Delete Account option near the bottom of the screen — tap it.

Telegram will ask you to enter your phone number to confirm. Type the number exactly as it appears in your account. Tap Next. Telegram sends a confirmation code to that phone number by SMS or through the Telegram app itself. Enter the code when it arrives. After you enter the code, Telegram asks why you are deleting the account — you can choose a reason or skip this step. Tap Delete Account one more time to confirm.

Your account is now scheduled for deletion. Telegram keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. If you log back in with your phone number during those 30 days, the deletion is cancelled and your account returns to normal. After 30 days, everything is permanently removed.

What happens to your data and messages

When your account is deleted, all your personal messages, saved files, and contact list are removed from Telegram's servers. Group chats and channels you were part of remain visible to other members, but your messages in those groups stay there — Telegram does not remove individual messages from group conversations when an account is deleted.

If you were an admin of a group or channel, that role passes to the next admin or the group creator. If you were the only admin, the group remains but has no administrator until another member is promoted. Contacts who had you saved in their phone will no longer see you as a Telegram user once your account is gone.

If you cannot access your phone number

If you changed phone numbers or no longer have access to the number registered to your account, you cannot delete through the app. Instead, email Telegram support at support@telegram.org with your request. Include the phone number associated with your account and explain that you no longer have access to it.

Telegram support typically responds within a few days. They will ask you to verify your identity — usually by providing information about when you created the account or what phone numbers have been linked to it. Once they confirm you own the account, they can process the deletion without requiring the confirmation code.

The difference between deactivation and deletion

Telegram does not offer a deactivation option like some other apps do. You have only two choices: keep your account active or delete it permanently. There is no way to temporarily hide your account or pause it while keeping your data.

If you want to stop using Telegram without losing your account, you can straightforward uninstall the app and stop logging in. Your account remains on Telegram's servers and can be reactivated by logging in again with your phone number. This is different from deletion — your messages and contacts stay saved, and you can return whenever you want.

Before you delete — what to save first

Before you confirm deletion, consider saving anything you want to keep. Telegram does not have a built-in export feature for messages, but you can take screenshots of important conversations or copy text from chats. For files you have received, read them to your phone's storage before deleting the account.

If you are part of important groups or channels, write down the names or links so you can rejoin them later if needed. Some groups require an invite link to join — if you do not have that link saved, you may not be able to get back in after your account is deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Telegram account if I do not have the phone anymore?

No, not through the app. You need access to the phone number to receive the confirmation code. Contact Telegram support at support@telegram.org and explain that you no longer have the phone. They can delete your account after verifying your identity through other information about your account.

What if I change my mind after deleting?

You have 30 days to log back in with your phone number and cancel the deletion. After 30 days, your account and all data are permanently gone and cannot be recovered. There is no way to restore an account after the 30-day window closes.

Will my contacts know I deleted my account?

Your contacts will not receive a notification, but they will notice you are no longer in Telegram when they try to message you or look at your profile. Your name will disappear from their contact list and group chats will show your old messages as sent by a deleted account.

Do I need to delete the app after deleting my account?

No, but you can if you want. Uninstalling the app does not affect the account deletion process. If you keep the app installed, you can reinstall it later and log in with a different phone number to create a new account.

Can someone else access my account after I delete it?

No. Once your account is deleted, no one can log in with that phone number until the 30-day deletion period ends. After 30 days, someone else could theoretically create a new account with that same phone number, but your old account data will be completely gone.