Deleting Telegram removes the app and all your messages from that device
When you delete Telegram, the app itself disappears from your phone or computer, and so do all the conversations stored on that device. The messages do not go to a trash folder — they are gone. Other people in your chats still have their copies of those conversations. If you created a Telegram account, that account continues to exist on Telegram's servers unless you also delete the account itself, which is a separate step.
Most people delete Telegram for one of three reasons: they want to stop using the app but keep their account, they want to remove the app and erase their account completely, or they are switching to a different messaging app. The steps are different for each situation, and doing them in the wrong order can lock you out of your account or leave data behind.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting the Telegram app from your phone or computer removes only the app itself and your local message copies, not your account.
- To fully erase your Telegram account, you must go into Settings within the app and choose Delete Account before uninstalling.
- If you delete the app without deleting your account first, you can still delete the account later by logging back in on any device.
- Deleting your account is permanent and cannot be undone — all your messages, contacts, and groups disappear from Telegram's servers.
- On iPhone, deleting the app from your home screen does not fully remove it; you must also offload or delete it from Settings.
How to delete the Telegram app on Android
On Android, you can delete Telegram the same way you delete any other app. Press and hold the Telegram icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Uninstall or Remove. Alternatively, go to Settings, find Apps or process Manager, scroll to Telegram, and tap Uninstall.
If you want to keep your Telegram account active so you can log back in later on another device, this is all you need to do. Your account will remain on Telegram's servers, and anyone who knows your phone number can still find you and send you messages — though you will not receive them until you reinstall the app and log back in.
If you want to delete your account completely, open Telegram before you uninstall it. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right, go to Settings, scroll down to the bottom, and tap Delete My Account. Telegram will ask you to confirm and may ask why you are leaving. After you confirm, your account is permanently deleted. Then uninstall the app.
How to delete the Telegram app on iPhone
On iPhone, deleting Telegram from your home screen does not fully remove the app — it only hides the icon. To completely remove it, press and hold the Telegram icon, tap Remove App, then tap Remove from iPhone. Confirm by tapping Remove again.
Alternatively, go to Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage, scroll to Telegram, and tap Delete App, then Delete App again to confirm.
As with Android, this removes only the app and your local messages. Your account stays active on Telegram's servers. If you want to delete your account before uninstalling, open Telegram, tap the Settings icon (gear) in the bottom right, scroll to the bottom, and tap Delete My Account. Confirm the deletion, then uninstall the app.
How to delete the Telegram app on Windows or Mac
On Windows, right-click the Telegram icon in your taskbar or find it in your Start menu, then click Uninstall. You can also go to Settings, Apps, Apps & Features, find Telegram, and click Uninstall.
On Mac, open Finder, go to Applications, find Telegram, and drag it to the Trash. Then empty the Trash to complete the deletion.
On both systems, deleting the app leaves your account intact. If you want to delete your account first, open Telegram, go to Settings (Windows) or Preferences (Mac), scroll to the bottom, and click Delete My Account. Confirm the deletion, then uninstall the app.
What happens to your messages and groups when you delete Telegram
When you delete the Telegram app, all the messages and media stored on that device are deleted with it. However, the messages still exist on Telegram's servers and in the inboxes of everyone you messaged. If you reinstall Telegram and log back in with the same phone number, you can read your message history again.
If you are part of a group or channel, deleting the app does not remove you from it. When you log back in, you will see all the messages that were posted while you were away. If you want to leave a group or channel before deleting the app, open the group or channel, tap the group name at the top, scroll down, and tap Leave Group or Leave Channel.
If you delete your entire Telegram account, all your messages are permanently removed from Telegram's servers. People you messaged will still see their copies of your conversations, but your account name will no longer appear as the sender — the messages will show as from a deleted account.
Deleting your account versus just deleting the app
Deleting the app and deleting your account are two separate actions, and it matters which one you do first. If you delete only the app, your account remains active. Anyone with your phone number can still message you on Telegram, and if you reinstall the app, you can log back in when ready.
If you delete your account, Telegram permanently removes your profile, all your messages, and all your data from its servers. This action cannot be undone. You will need to create a new account with a different phone number if you want to use Telegram again in the future.
Most people who want to stop using Telegram should delete the app but keep the account, at least for a while. This way, if you change your mind or need to retrieve something, you can log back in. Only delete your account if you are certain you will not use Telegram again.
What to do if you forgot to delete your account before uninstalling
If you uninstalled Telegram without deleting your account first, your account is still active on Telegram's servers. You can delete it later by reinstalling the app, logging in with your phone number, and following the same steps to delete your account from Settings.
Telegram will send you a confirmation code by SMS or phone call when you try to log back in. Enter that code, then go to Settings and choose Delete My Account. After you confirm, your account is permanently deleted, and you can uninstall the app again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my messages after I delete Telegram?
If you deleted only the app, your messages are still on Telegram's servers. Reinstall the app, log in with your phone number, and your message history will read again. If you deleted your account, your messages are permanently gone and cannot be recovered.
Will people still be able to message me after I delete the app?
Yes. Your account remains active, so people can send you messages. You will not see them until you reinstall the app and log back in. If you delete your account, people can no longer message you on Telegram.
Do I need to delete my account if I am just switching to a different messaging app?
No. You can straightforward delete the app and leave your account active in case you want to use Telegram again later. Deleting your account is only necessary if you want to completely remove your presence from Telegram.
What happens to group chats I created after I delete my account?
Groups you created will remain on Telegram's servers, but your name will no longer appear as the creator. Other members can continue using the group. If you were the only member, the group will eventually be deleted by Telegram.
Can I delete Telegram from one device without affecting my account on another device?
Yes. Deleting the app from your phone does not affect Telegram on your computer or tablet. Your account stays active across all devices. You can log in and out of different devices independently without deleting your account.