Delete your TextNow account through the app or website settings

TextNow lets you remove your account permanently through the settings menu. The process takes a few minutes and works the same way whether you use the app on your phone or the website on a computer. Once you delete the account, your phone number, messages, and call history are removed and cannot be recovered.

Before you start, know that TextNow will ask you to confirm the deletion. If you have credits or a paid plan with time remaining, those will be lost. If you want to keep your phone number or transfer messages elsewhere, do that before you delete — there is no way to retrieve them afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delete your TextNow account from the app or website by going to Settings, then Account, then Delete Account.
  • TextNow will ask you to enter your password and confirm the deletion, and the process is permanent once you complete it.
  • Any unused credits, paid plan time, or saved messages will be lost when you delete the account.
  • If you only want to stop using TextNow but might return later, you can sign out instead of deleting the account.

Steps to delete your account on the TextNow app

Open the TextNow app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. This opens the main menu. Tap Settings, then scroll down and tap Account.

At the bottom of the Account page, you will see Delete Account. Tap it. TextNow will show a warning that explains the account cannot be recovered. Read through it, then tap Delete Account again to confirm. You will be asked to enter your password. Type it in and tap Confirm. Your account is now deleted.

Steps to delete your account on the TextNow website

Go to textnow.com and sign in with your username and password. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click Settings. On the left side of the page, click Account.

Scroll to the bottom of the Account page and click Delete Account. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm. Click Delete Account again. TextNow will ask you to enter your password one more time. Type it in and click Confirm. Your account is deleted when ready.

What happens to your phone number and messages

When you delete your TextNow account, your phone number is released back into the TextNow pool. This means another person can request that same number in the future. Your text messages and call history are permanently deleted and cannot be retrieved by you or TextNow support.

If you need to save your messages before deletion, take screenshots of important conversations or write down information you want to keep. TextNow does not offer a way to export or read your message history, so screenshots are your only option.

The difference between signing out and deleting

Signing out of TextNow keeps your account and phone number active but logs you out of the app or website. You can sign back in anytime with your username and password. Deleting the account removes everything permanently and you cannot recover it.

If you are taking a break from TextNow but think you might use it again, sign out instead. If you are certain you will not use TextNow anymore and want to remove your account completely, delete it. Signing out is reversible; deletion is not.

If you forgot your password

You need your password to delete your account. If you do not remember it, go to the TextNow sign-in page and click Forgot password? Enter your email address or phone number. TextNow will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link, create a new password, and sign in. Then follow the deletion steps above.

If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number associated with your account, contact TextNow support through the app or website. Tap or click the question mark icon and select Contact Support. Explain that you cannot access your recovery email or phone and need help resetting your password so you can delete your account.

What to do with unused credits before you delete

If you have credits remaining on your TextNow account, they will disappear when you delete. TextNow does not refund unused credits or allow you to transfer them to another account. Use your credits before deletion if you want to get value from them.

You can use credits to extend a paid plan, purchase additional minutes, or send international texts. Check your account balance in Settings to see how many credits you have. If the amount is small, you may decide it is not worth the effort to use them. If it is substantial, spend them before you proceed with deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my account after I delete it?

No. Once you confirm the deletion, TextNow permanently removes your account, phone number, and all messages. You cannot undo this action. If you change your mind later, you can create a new TextNow account, but you will get a different phone number and lose all your previous data.

Will deleting my TextNow account affect my other accounts?

Deleting TextNow does not affect other apps or accounts you use. If you signed into other services using your TextNow phone number, those services will no longer be able to reach you at that number, but the accounts themselves remain active. Update your contact information in those services if you want to keep using them.

What if I only want to stop receiving texts and calls?

If you want to keep your account but stop using it, sign out instead of deleting. Your account and phone number stay active, and you can sign back in anytime. If you want to prevent others from contacting you, delete the account — once it is gone, your TextNow number will not work for incoming or outgoing messages and calls.

How long does it take for my account to be fully deleted?

Your account is deleted when ready after you confirm the deletion and enter your password. You will be logged out of the app or website right away. TextNow may take a few days to remove all your data from their servers, but your account is inaccessible as soon as the deletion is complete.