Are you trying to delete your Telegram account but can't find where the option is buried? No worries. Pocket-lint will tell you how in this guide. Remember, when you delete your account, all your data will be permanently removed. You can choose to deactivate your account instead.

But that's not what we're discussing here. This is how to get rid of your Telegram account once and for all. 

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How to delete your Telegram account

Unfortunately, Telegram doesn't offer an option you can tick in the app's settings. So, here is a step-by-step guide showing you how to delete your Telegram account from the web. It is the quickest and easiest method.

  1. Open up this Telegram webpage.
  2. Enter the mobile number that is connected to your Telegram account.
  3. Press Next.
  4. Enter the code.
    • A confirmation code will be sent to you via Telegram and not by SMS.
    • Ensure that you can access your Telegram account to retrieve the code.
  5. Press Sign In.
  6. Click Delete account.
  7. Click Delete My Account.
  8. Confirm.

Keep in mind, by default, Telegram erases your account if it's inactive for six months. You can adjust that setting to determine how long Telegram should wait before deleting your profile. You can make it wait a year.

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Can you delete your account within the Telegram app?

No. You cannot delete your Telegram account via the Telegram mobile app. You need to go in to the Telegram website.

Can you recover your Telegram account once you delete it?

No, once you delete your account, you can no longer access it.

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What is Telegram and how does it work?

Telegram is a secure, convenient messaging app that's cross-platform, meaning it works on all of your devices. Its instant-sync feature means that chats are always up to date on all of your devices at once. 

Perhaps more so now than at any point in history, consumers are becoming aware of their own online privacy, and free communication that can't be monitored. Especially given recent revelations about how some social networks manage (read: mis-manage) your personal data. Thankfully there are tools, such as Telegram, that allow you to stay in touch with friends, family, and contacts, without risk of your messages being intercepted by a third party. 

In the past, using a secure messaging service usually meant compromise on features, fun and convenience. But it doesn't have to be that way. Telegram, in particular, has been growing in popularity perhaps more than others: Telegram. Likely because when it comes to chatting functions and privacy, it's proving you can indeed have your cake and eat it too. For more about how Telegram works, see Pocket-lint's in-depth guide: