Quick answer
Go to Settings > Account management. Choose Deactivate account for a pause, or Delete account (mobile: Delete your data and account) to leave for good; deleting is confirmed by email. Changed your mind? Log in within 7 days and Pinterest sends a reactivation link. Business account? Clear any bills first.
Does this match what you see?
- You want to take a break from Pinterest.
- You want to delete your account permanently.
- Pinterest won’t let you reuse your email or username.
Computer (browser)iPhone & iPadAndroid
Based on Pinterest Help Center’s “Deactivate or close your account” page, read on November 7, 2026. Pinterest gives one set of steps for its mobile app on both iPhone and Android.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Deactivate or delete? Pinterest’s differences.
| Deactivate | Delete | |
|---|---|---|
| Profile and boards | Hidden until you return | Hidden at once, deleted after 7 days |
| Undo | Log in any time | Log in within 7 days for a reactivation link |
| Email and username | Stay tied to the account | Freed 7 days after deletion |
- Outstanding business billsPossible
Pinterest says to clear bills before deleting a business account.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Make sure you can get into the email on your account (deletion is confirmed by email).
- Business account? Remove payment information to clear bills first.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Deactivate your account
Pinterest’s steps for a temporary pause.
iPhone & iPad
- Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then your profile photo (top left).
- Tap Account management > Deactivate account > Continue.
- Choose a reason and tap Deactivate account.
Android
- Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then your profile photo (top left).
- Tap Account management > Deactivate account > Continue.
- Choose a reason and tap Deactivate account.
Computer (browser)
- Click the more-options icon (bottom left; on older layouts, the down-chevron at top right) > Settings.
- Click Account management > Deactivate account > Continue.
- Choose a reason and click Deactivate account.
To check it worked, Pinterest says visit your profile URL (pinterest.com/ followed by your username) instead of logging in, because logging in reactivates the account. To come back, just log in. Business accounts on mobile: tap your profile photo (bottom right), then the ellipsis (top right) instead.
Did it work? Your profile URL no longer shows your profile.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Delete your account
Pinterest’s steps for permanent deletion.
iPhone & iPad
- Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then your profile photo (top left) > Account management.
- Scroll down and tap Delete your data and account > Continue, choose a reason and tap Send email.
- Confirm from the email sent to your account’s address.
Android
- Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then your profile photo (top left) > Account management.
- Scroll down and tap Delete your data and account > Continue, choose a reason and tap Send email.
- Confirm from the email sent to your account’s address.
Computer (browser)
- Click the more-options icon (bottom left; on older layouts, the down-chevron at top right) > Settings > Account management.
- Click Delete account > Continue, choose a reason and click Send email.
- Open the email sent to your account’s address and confirm you want to close the account.
Business accounts on mobile: Pinterest says tap your profile photo (bottom right), then the ellipsis (top right) to reach settings.
Did it work? Your public profile disappears straight away.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Undo a deletion within 7 days
Pinterest says deletion becomes permanent after 7 days. Before then, log in with your email and password, and Pinterest sends you a link to reactivate the account. After 7 days, your personal data, profile and boards can’t be recovered.
- You need the account’s email: Pinterest says you need access to the email on the account to reactivate. Without it, Pinterest suggests creating a new account.
- In California? Pinterest says if you permanently closed your account, you need to contact Pinterest to reactivate it.
- Forgot your password? Reset it first, then log in.
- Didn’t deactivate it yourself? A deactivation by Pinterest needs an appeal: see account deactivated or suspended. A “we protected your account” lock just needs a password reset.
Reuse your email or username
A deactivated account keeps its email and username, so you can’t use them for a new account. Pinterest gives two ways to free them: change the email or username in the old account’s settings, or delete the account; after 7 days they’re no longer tied to it.
An account belonging to someone who has died
Pinterest says to contact Pinterest to have a deceased family member’s account deleted, with verification such as an obituary or death certificate. It says it can’t share personal or login information, out of respect for privacy, and a deleted account can’t be accessed again.
How to know it worked
- Your account is deactivated or scheduled for deletion, and you know how to undo it.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Comparing your options across apps? See the Delete or Deactivate Planner.
- Can’t log in to delete it? See can’t log in to Pinterest.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
Does deactivating a Pinterest account affect my other accounts?
No. Pinterest says only the account connected to that email is affected; your other accounts stay open. Deactivating also doesn’t free up the email; close the account or change its email instead.
How long does it take to delete a Pinterest account?
Pinterest says your profile is deactivated immediately and the account is permanently deleted after 7 days.
Can I undo deleting my Pinterest account?
Yes, within 7 days: log in with your email and password and Pinterest sends a reactivation link.
Why can’t I reactivate my Pinterest account?
Pinterest says you need access to the account’s email, deleted accounts can only be reactivated within 7 days, and California users who permanently closed their account must contact Pinterest. If Pinterest deactivated it, you need to appeal.
How do I check my Pinterest account is deactivated without reactivating it?
Visit your profile URL instead of logging in. Pinterest says logging in reactivates the account.
Why can’t I use my email for a new Pinterest account?
A deactivated account keeps its email and username. Change them in the old account’s settings, or delete it and wait 7 days.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Deactivate or close your account (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Reactivate your account (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Merge accounts (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 7 November 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 7 May 2027. Editor: Michael Michael. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 7 November 2026: First published.
- 7 November 2026: Updated: Pinterest no longer supports linked business accounts.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pinterest. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.