You can delete your Wattpad account through your settings, but your stories stay on the platform unless you remove them first
Wattpad's deletion process is straightforward: go to your account settings, find the "Delete Account" option, and confirm. The catch is that deleting your account does not automatically delete your stories. If you want your writing removed, you need to unpublish or delete each story separately before you close the account. Once you confirm deletion, your account is gone within a few days, but Wattpad keeps your stories in their system unless you took them down yourself.
This matters because your stories can stay visible to readers, searchable, and attributed to a deleted account. Some readers may still be able to access them through links or their reading history. If privacy is your concern, removing the stories first gives you more control over what stays behind.
Key Takeaways
- Delete your individual stories from your library before you delete your account if you want them removed from Wattpad entirely.
- Your account deletion takes effect within a few days, but stories you did not remove will remain on the platform.
- Once your account is deleted, you cannot recover it or the stories you published under that account.
- If you want to keep your stories but change your privacy settings, you can make them private or unpublish them without deleting your account.
How to remove your stories before deleting your account
Open Wattpad and go to your profile. Click "My Works" or "Stories" to see everything you have published. For each story, click the three-dot menu next to the title and select "Delete" or "Unpublish." Unpublish keeps the story in your drafts so you can republish it later; Delete removes it from the platform entirely. If you have many stories, this takes time, so plan accordingly.
You can also make stories private instead of deleting them. This hides them from public search and from readers who do not have the link, but keeps them on your account. If you think you might want to republish later, making them private is faster than deleting and re-uploading.
Steps to delete your Wattpad account
Once your stories are handled, go to your account settings. On the web version, click your profile picture in the top right, then select "Settings." Scroll down to find "Account" or "Privacy and Safety" depending on your version of the site. Look for "Delete Account" or "Close Account."
Wattpad will ask you to confirm your password and may ask why you are leaving. You do not have to answer the survey, but Wattpad uses it to understand why people leave. After you confirm, your account is scheduled for deletion. Wattpad typically completes the deletion within three to seven days. During this time, your profile is hidden but not yet fully removed from their servers.
What happens to your account data after deletion
Your username becomes available for someone else to use. Your profile page disappears. Comments you left on other people's stories may remain, sometimes attributed to a deleted user or sometimes removed entirely depending on Wattpad's settings. Messages in your inbox are deleted from your side, but the people you messaged may still see the conversation on their end.
Wattpad keeps some data for legal and technical reasons — things like payment records if you ever bought coins, or logs of activity for fraud prevention. This data is not visible to the public, but it stays in Wattpad's systems. If you want to know exactly what data Wattpad holds about you, you can request a data read through their privacy settings before you delete your account.
How to request your data before you delete
Wattpad has a data read feature that lets you see what information they have stored about you. Go to Settings, find "Privacy" or "Data and Privacy," and look for "read Your Data" or "Data Request." You will receive a file with your profile information, reading history, library, and other account details. This takes a few days to process.
Getting this file before deletion is useful if you want to keep a record of your stories, your reading list, or your account activity. Once your account is deleted, you cannot request this data anymore.
If you want to keep your stories but leave Wattpad
You do not have to delete your account to step away. You can straightforward stop logging in. If you want to keep your stories private but not delete them, go to each story's settings and change it from "Public" to "Private." Private stories do not appear in search results or on your public profile, but they stay in your account.
You can also deactivate your account temporarily instead of deleting it permanently. Some platforms offer this option, though Wattpad's deactivation is less clear than other sites. Check your settings to see if a temporary deactivation option is available in your region.
What you cannot undo after deletion
Account deletion is permanent. You cannot recover your account, your stories, your reading history, or your messages once the deletion is complete. If you shared your stories on other platforms or if readers downloaded them, those copies stay wherever they were shared — Wattpad's deletion only affects what is on Wattpad's servers.
If you think you might want to come back to Wattpad later, consider making your stories private and deactivating instead of deleting. If you are certain you want to leave permanently, read your data first and remove your stories manually to have full control over what stays behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my account on the Wattpad app instead of the website?
The app does not have a delete account option. You must use the website to delete your account. Open Wattpad in a web browser, log in, and go to Settings to find the delete option.
What if I forgot my password and cannot delete my account?
Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. Wattpad will send a reset link to the email address on your account. Once you reset your password, you can log in and delete your account through Settings.
Will my stories disappear if I just stop using Wattpad?
No. Your stories stay published and visible unless you unpublish or delete them. Deleting your account does not remove your stories. You must remove them separately if you want them gone from the platform.
Can someone else use my username after I delete my account?
Yes. After your account is fully deleted, your username becomes available for new users. If you want to preserve your username, you could change it to something you do not care about before deleting, though this does not prevent others from using your original name.
How long does it take for my account to be completely deleted?
Wattpad typically completes account deletion within three to seven days after you confirm. Your profile becomes hidden when ready, but the full deletion from their servers takes a few days. You will not receive a confirmation email when it is complete.