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Delete Your Telegram Account or Change Your Number (and How Self-Destruct Works)

Telegram lets you change your number and keep all your chats, contacts and media, or delete your account permanently. If you just stop using it, your account self-destructs after a period of inactivity, 18 months by default.

Edited by Michael Michael Reviewed 3 min read 2 fixes Disabled & restricted accounts

Quick answer

Change number: Settings > tap your phone number > Change Number. You keep everything, including secret chats. Delete account: use Telegram’s deactivation page (telegram.org/deactivate), ideally in a computer browser; you confirm with a code sent via Telegram, not SMS. It’s permanent. Self-destruct: change the inactivity period in Settings (Privacy and Security); the default is 18 months.

What do you want to do?

Does this match what you see?

  • You’re changing your phone number.
  • You want to leave Telegram permanently.
  • You want to remove old data without deleting your account.

iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

Based on Telegram’s FAQ (“Your Account” section), text supplied by the site owner on November 9, 2026.

Why this happens: the possible causes

Your options (Telegram FAQ).

Pick the right option
SituationWhat to do
New number for goodChange Number in Settings
Temporary number (a trip)Nothing; keep your usual number on Telegram
Two numbers you’ll keepPick one for Telegram, or create a second account and use both in one app
Leaving TelegramDelete your account, or let it self-destruct
  • Each number is a separate accountCheck this first

    Telegram says every phone number is its own Telegram account.

Try these 60-second checks first

  • Make sure you still have access to your current number before changing anything.

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: Change your number (keep everything)

May sign you out5 miniPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

Telegram says you keep all contacts, messages and media, and secret chats on all devices.

  1. Go to Settings and tap your phone number (just above your username).
  2. Tap Change Number and follow the prompts.

If the new number already has a Telegram account, Telegram says you must delete that account first. Telegram stresses keeping access to your connected number, or you risk losing your account.

Did it work? Settings shows your new number.

Fix 2: Delete your account

Read first: can remove data5 minComputer (browser)

Permanently remove your account and its data.

  1. Open Telegram’s deactivation page (external site, opens in a new tab) (see also its FAQ answer (external site, opens in a new tab)). Telegram recommends a computer browser.
  2. Enter your number. Telegram sends the confirmation code via Telegram, not SMS, so you need to be logged in somewhere.
  3. Confirm the deletion.

Telegram says this can’t be undone. Groups and channels you created are left without a creator, but their admins keep their rights. Your contacts keep their copies of messages you sent them.

Did it work? You’re logged out and the account no longer exists.

New, temporary or second number?

  • For good (moved country, changed number): change it in Settings, above.
  • Temporary (on a trip): Telegram says you don’t need to do anything.
  • Keeping both (work and personal): choose one for Telegram, or create a second account on the other number. Telegram says one app can be logged in to several accounts at once.

Account self-destruct

Telegram says if you don’t come online for at least 18 months (the default), your account is deleted with all its messages, media and contacts. You can change the period in Settings (under Privacy and Security).

Our note: if you’re keeping Telegram as a backup, set a longer period, and open it now and then.

Delete data without deleting your account

  • Messages or chats: select them, tap delete, and tick the option to delete for both sides.
  • In Settings > Privacy and Security (iPhone: then Data Settings): Delete Synced Contacts, Delete All Cloud Drafts (on Android, in Data and Storage), and turn off Suggest Frequent Contacts.
  • Profile pictures: open your profile, tap the picture > menu > Delete.
  • Stories: My Stories, select them and tap delete.
  • Call history: Calls > menu > Delete All Calls.

Just want to log out?

iPhone: Settings > Edit > Log Out. Android and Desktop: Settings > … > Log Out. Telegram says you keep cloud chats but lose secret chats. See before you log out.

How to know it worked

  • Your number is updated, or your account is deleted as you intended.

Still not working? Your next steps

  1. Comparing your options across apps? See the Delete or Deactivate Planner.
  2. Lost access to your number? See Telegram stolen phone.

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

How do I change my number on Telegram without losing chats?

Settings > tap your phone number > Change Number. Telegram says you keep contacts, messages, media and secret chats.

How do I delete my Telegram account?

Use Telegram’s deactivation page (telegram.org/deactivate), preferably in a computer browser. The code arrives via Telegram, not SMS. It’s permanent.

Does Telegram delete inactive accounts?

Yes. Telegram says accounts self-destruct after at least 18 months offline by default; you can change the period in Settings.

What happens to my groups if I delete Telegram?

Telegram says groups and channels you created are left without a creator, but admins keep their rights.

If I rejoin Telegram, do I get my chats back?

No. Telegram says you appear as a new user with no history, contacts or groups.

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.

  1. Telegram FAQ (external site, opens in a new tab)Telegram · checked 9 November 2026

Last reviewed 9 November 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 9 May 2027. Editor: Michael Michael. How we write and review guides.

What changed
  • 9 November 2026: First published.

SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Telegram. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.