You can delete your TextNow account through the app settings or the website, and the process takes about five minutes
TextNow lets you delete your account yourself without calling support or waiting for a response. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use the app or the website, but both routes lead to the same result: your account, messages, and call history are removed from TextNow's servers.
Before you delete, know that this action is permanent. You will lose access to your TextNow phone number, any credits in your account, and your message history. If you use TextNow for two-factor authentication on other accounts (like banking or email), you will need to remove TextNow as a backup method first, or you may lock yourself out of those accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Delete your account through the TextNow app by going to Settings, selecting Account, and choosing Delete Account — or use the website at textnow.com by logging in and navigating to Account Settings.
- TextNow will ask you to confirm your password and may ask why you are leaving; these questions are optional and you can skip them.
- Deletion is permanent and removes your TextNow phone number, message history, and any remaining credits from your account.
- If you use your TextNow number for two-factor authentication on banking, email, or other services, update those accounts to use a different phone number before deleting.
- After deletion, you can no longer receive calls or texts at your TextNow number, and you cannot recover the account.
How to delete your account through the TextNow app
Open the TextNow app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings, then tap Account. Scroll down to find the Delete Account option and tap it.
TextNow will ask you to enter your password to confirm the deletion. Type it in and tap Continue. You may see a screen asking why you are deleting your account — this is optional and you can skip it by tapping Next or Continue without selecting a reason.
A final confirmation screen will appear warning you that deletion is permanent. Read it carefully, then tap Delete Account or Confirm Deletion (the exact wording varies by app version). Your account will be deleted when ready, and you will be logged out of the app.
How to delete your account through the TextNow website
Go to textnow.com and log in with your username and password. Once logged in, look for Settings or Account Settings — this is usually in a menu in the top right corner or in a sidebar on the left.
Find the option labeled Delete Account, Deactivate Account, or Close Account. Click it. You will be asked to enter your password again. Type it in and click Continue or Next.
TextNow may ask for feedback about why you are leaving. This step is optional. Click the button to proceed without answering if you prefer not to. On the final confirmation screen, click Delete Account or Confirm. Your account will be removed when ready.
What to do before you delete
Check whether you have used your TextNow number for two-factor authentication anywhere. Log into your bank, email provider, social media accounts, and any other services where you added TextNow as a backup phone number. Remove TextNow from those accounts and add a different phone number (your personal cell phone, a family member's number, or another service) before you delete your TextNow account.
If you do not do this, you may not be able to log back into those accounts if you forget your password, because the two-factor code will try to send to a number that no longer exists. Some services will lock you out entirely until you contact their support team.
If you have credits remaining in your TextNow account, they will be lost when you delete. There is no way to transfer them or get a refund. If you have a paid plan, cancel it first through your app store or payment method to avoid being charged again.
What happens after you delete your account
Your TextNow phone number becomes available for someone else to claim. Your message history, call logs, and voicemails are deleted from TextNow's servers. You will no longer receive calls or texts at that number.
If you try to log back into TextNow with the same username and password after deletion, you will not be able to — the account no longer exists. You can create a new TextNow account with a different username, but you will get a different phone number, and you will start with no message history or credits.
If you want to keep your account but stop using it
Deleting is permanent, but you have another option: you can straightforward stop using TextNow without deleting your account. Your account will remain inactive, your phone number will stay reserved for you, and you can log back in anytime if you change your mind.
If you are concerned about privacy or security and do not want TextNow to have your data, deletion is the right choice. If you might use TextNow again in the future or want to keep your phone number, leaving your account inactive is safer.
Troubleshooting deletion problems
If the Delete Account button does not appear in your settings, you may be logged into a child account or a restricted account type. TextNow does not allow deletion of accounts created for minors without parental consent. If this is your situation, contact TextNow support through the app or website.
If you see an error message when you try to delete, try logging out completely, closing the app, and logging back in. Then navigate to Settings and Account again. If the error persists, try deleting through the website instead of the app, or vice versa.
If you have already deleted your account but still receive texts or calls at that number, wait 24 to 48 hours for the deletion to fully process across TextNow's systems. If messages still arrive after that, contact TextNow support with your former phone number and account username.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my account after I delete it?
No. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Your account, phone number, messages, and call history are removed from TextNow's servers. You can create a new account, but it will have a different phone number and no history from your old account.
Will deleting my TextNow account affect my other accounts?
Only if you used your TextNow number for two-factor authentication. If you did, you will not be able to log into those accounts unless you update them to use a different phone number first. Do this before you delete TextNow.
What happens to my TextNow phone number after I delete?
Your number is released back into TextNow's pool and can be claimed by another user. You cannot reserve it or get it back later. If you want to keep your number, do not delete your account.
Do I lose money if I delete my account?
Yes. Any credits remaining in your account are forfeited when you delete. If you have a paid plan, cancel it through your app store or payment method first to stop future charges, but you will not get a refund for credits already purchased.
How long does it take for my account to be fully deleted?
The deletion is when ready in the app or on the website, but it may take 24 to 48 hours for the change to fully process across all of TextNow's systems. During this time, you may still see your account information if you try to log in, but it will disappear after the processing window closes.