The fastest way to delete TextNow on your iPhone
To delete your TextNow account on iPhone, you need to go through the TextNow website on a computer or browser — the iPhone app itself does not have a delete account option. Open a web browser, go to textnow.com, sign in with your username and password, find the account settings or profile menu, and look for a "Delete Account" or "Close Account" button. TextNow will ask you to confirm, and the account closes permanently within a few minutes.
If you only want to stop using the app without deleting the account, you can straightforward delete the TextNow app from your iPhone home screen. But this leaves your account active online, which means your phone number stays reserved and your account data remains on TextNow's servers. Deleting the app is not the same as deleting the account.
Key Takeaways
- TextNow accounts cannot be deleted through the iPhone app — you must use a web browser on any device to access the delete option.
- Deleting the app from your iPhone does not delete your account; it only removes the app from your phone.
- Once you delete your account through the website, TextNow closes it permanently and you lose access to your phone number and message history.
- You will need your TextNow username and password to sign in on the website and complete the deletion.
Step-by-step: Deleting your account through the TextNow website
Open Safari, Chrome, or any web browser on your iPhone and go to textnow.com. Tap the sign-in button or link, usually at the top right of the page. Enter your TextNow username (not your phone number) and your password, then tap the sign-in button.
Once you are signed in, look for a menu icon — usually three horizontal lines or a gear icon — in the top corner of the page. Tap it and scroll down to find "Account Settings," "Profile," or "Settings." The exact wording varies, but it will be in this menu. Tap it to open your account page.
On your account settings page, scroll down until you see an option that says "Delete Account," "Close Account," "Deactivate Account," or "Remove Account." Tap this button. TextNow will show you a warning that explains the account cannot be recovered and you will lose your phone number and all messages. Read this carefully, because the action is permanent.
TextNow will ask you to confirm by typing your password again or clicking a confirmation button. Do this, and your account will be deleted. The process usually completes within a few minutes, though it can take up to an hour for the deletion to fully process on their servers.
What happens to your TextNow phone number after deletion
When you delete your TextNow account, your phone number is released back to TextNow's pool of available numbers. This means someone else can claim that number in the future. Any text messages, call history, and voicemails stored in your account are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
If you have contacts who text or call your TextNow number after deletion, their messages will not reach you. They will not receive a bounce-back message or notification — the texts will straightforward disappear. If you want to keep in touch with people who have your TextNow number, give them your real phone number or another contact method before you delete the account.
Removing the TextNow app from your iPhone after account deletion
After you delete your account on the website, you can remove the TextNow app from your iPhone. Press and hold the TextNow app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App," then tap "Remove from Home Screen" to keep the app in your library, or tap "Delete App" to remove it entirely. Tap "Delete" to confirm.
If you choose "Delete App," you will also be asked whether to delete the app data. Tap "Delete" to remove all cached files and data the app stored on your phone. This frees up storage space and ensures no TextNow data remains on your device.
If you forgot your TextNow password
If you cannot remember your TextNow password, you cannot delete the account through the website without resetting it first. Go to textnow.com and tap the sign-in button. Look for a "Forgot Password" or "Can't sign in?" link below the password field. Tap it and enter your TextNow username or the email address associated with your account.
TextNow will send a password reset link to your email. Open your email on your iPhone, find the message from TextNow, and tap the reset link. Create a new password, then return to textnow.com and sign in with your username and new password. Once you are signed in, follow the account deletion steps above.
Difference between deleting the app and deleting the account
Deleting the TextNow app removes it from your iPhone but leaves your account active on TextNow's servers. Your phone number stays reserved under your account, your messages remain stored, and anyone who knows your TextNow number can still reach it — though you will not see the messages because the app is gone. The account will continue to exist until you manually delete it through the website.
Deleting your account through the website closes the account permanently, releases your phone number, and erases all your messages and call history. This is the only way to fully remove your presence from TextNow. If you ever want to use TextNow again, you will have to create a new account and get a new phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my TextNow account from the iPhone app?
No. The TextNow app does not have a delete account option. You must use a web browser to go to textnow.com, sign in, and delete your account from the website. The app only lets you delete the app itself, not your account.
Will deleting TextNow from my iPhone delete my account?
No. Deleting the app only removes it from your phone. Your account remains active on TextNow's servers, your phone number stays reserved, and your messages are still stored. You must delete the account through the website to close it permanently.
Can I recover my TextNow account after I delete it?
No. Once you delete your account, it is permanently closed. You cannot recover your old phone number, messages, or account data. If you want to use TextNow again, you will need to create a new account with a new phone number.
What if I delete the app but not the account — will I still get texts?
No. If the app is deleted from your phone, you will not receive notifications or see any texts that arrive at your TextNow number. The messages may still be stored in your account on the website, but you have no way to see them without reinstalling the app.
How long does it take for TextNow to fully delete my account?
The deletion usually completes within a few minutes after you confirm it on the website. In some cases it can take up to an hour for the deletion to fully process on TextNow's servers, but your account will be inaccessible when ready after confirmation.