How to delete a TextNow number

To delete your TextNow number, open the TextNow app on your phone or go to textnow.com on a web browser, sign into your account, navigate to Settings, and select the option to delete your number or close your account. TextNow will ask you to confirm the deletion — once you do, the number becomes inactive and cannot be recovered. The process takes a few minutes and does not require you to contact customer support.

If you are using a TextNow number for work or personal contacts, delete it only after you have notified the people who reach you at that number. TextNow does not reassign deleted numbers when ready, but the number may eventually be given to another user, so anyone who still has it could reach a stranger.

Key Takeaways

  • Delete your TextNow number through Settings in the app or on the website — no support ticket needed.
  • Deleted numbers cannot be recovered, so make sure you have switched to a different number first if you need one.
  • Tell your contacts about the change before you delete, because the number may be reassigned to someone else later.
  • Deleting your number does not automatically close your TextNow account if you have other numbers or services tied to it.
  • If you want to keep the number but stop using it, you can disable notifications instead of deleting it permanently.

Steps to delete through the mobile app

Open the TextNow app and sign in if you are not already logged in. Tap the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the bottom right corner, then tap Settings. Scroll down and look for Account or Number Management — the exact label depends on your app version. Tap Delete Number or Close Account.

TextNow will show you a confirmation screen listing your number and warning that deletion is permanent. Read the message carefully, then tap Confirm or Delete to complete the action. The app will log you out or return you to the home screen once the deletion is done. Your number is now inactive.

Steps to delete through the website

Go to textnow.com and sign into your account using your email and password. Click your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner, then select Settings or Account Settings from the dropdown menu. Look for a section labeled Number Management, Phone Number, or Account Closure.

Click the option to delete your number or close your account. You may be asked to enter your password again for security. Review the confirmation message, which will state that the deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Click Confirm or Delete to finish. The website will redirect you to a confirmation page or log you out.

What happens after you delete your number

Once deleted, your TextNow number stops working when ready. Any calls or texts sent to that number will not reach you or any TextNow system — they will fail silently or bounce back to the sender as undeliverable. If you had voicemail set up, it will no longer record new messages.

TextNow keeps your account active unless you also closed it. If you have other phone numbers through TextNow or a paid subscription, those remain in effect. You can create a new number later by opening the app and following the setup process again, though you will likely get a different number than the one you deleted.

If you want to keep the number but stop using it

Deleting is permanent, so if you might want the number back, consider disabling notifications instead. In Settings, you can turn off call and text alerts so the number stays registered to your account but does not notify you of incoming messages. This keeps the number from being reassigned to someone else while you decide whether you need it.

You can also straightforward stop opening the app and let the number sit inactive. TextNow will eventually close inactive accounts after a period of non-use — typically several months — but you can reactivate by logging in before that happens. Check TextNow's current policy on inactive accounts, as this timeline can change.

Reasons to delete a TextNow number

People delete TextNow numbers when they switch to a standard phone plan with a carrier like Verizon or AT&T, when they no longer need a secondary number for work or privacy, or when they want to stop using VoIP altogether. Some delete because they signed up for a number they never actually used, or because they are closing a business that relied on the number.

If you are deleting because of spam or unwanted contacts, deletion stops new messages from reaching you, but it does not remove your number from spam lists. The number may still receive spam after deletion if it is reassigned to another user later. If spam is your main concern, disabling notifications might be a better short-term option while you transition contacts to a new number.

What to do before you delete

Before deleting, send a message or email to anyone who contacts you regularly at that TextNow number, telling them your new contact information. Check your voicemail and text history to see if there are any important messages you want to save — TextNow does not export message history, so take screenshots or notes if you need to keep records.

If the number is tied to any online accounts (social media, banking, two-factor authentication), update those accounts with a new phone number first. Some services send security codes to your phone number, and if you delete the number without updating them, you may lose access to those accounts. Go through your email and any apps that have your TextNow number on file and change them before you delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my deleted TextNow number back?

No. Once you delete a TextNow number, it cannot be recovered. You can create a new number through TextNow, but it will be a different number. If you are unsure about deleting, disable notifications instead of deleting permanently.

Will deleting my number close my TextNow account?

Deleting your number does not automatically close your account. If you have other numbers or a paid subscription through TextNow, those remain active. To close your entire account, look for a separate "Close Account" or "Delete Account" option in Settings.

What happens to texts and calls sent to my deleted number?

Calls and texts to a deleted number will fail to deliver. The sender may see an error message or the message may bounce back as undeliverable, depending on their carrier. The message will not reach you or any TextNow system.

Can someone else get my old TextNow number?

Yes, eventually. TextNow does not reassign deleted numbers when ready, but after some time the number may be given to a new user. This is why you should notify your contacts before deleting — if they still have the old number saved, they could accidentally reach a stranger.

How do I delete my TextNow account completely, not just the number?

In Settings, look for "Close Account," "Delete Account," or "Account Closure" — the label varies by app version. This option deletes your number and your entire account, including any paid subscriptions. You will need to confirm the deletion, and the action is permanent.