Telegram is one of the most popular messaging apps available today. Its unique features include large file sharing and the ability to use it without a phone number. Despite Telegram’s value, there are reasons why you might decide to delete it.
Learn what you should do before saying your final goodbye to Telegram.
Steps to Deactivate Your Telegram Account – Quick Guide
Here’s a quick rundown on how you can remove your Telegram account.
- Launch your device browser. The browser allows you to delete your account when it’s impossible to do so from the app. After doing so, go to Telegram’s Deactivation Page.
- Fill in your mobile number and copy the verification code you receive on the app. Then, paste the code into the field on your browser.
- Select Delete account and confirm your decision. This automatically disables your account and any associated data.
Why You Might Want to Delete Your Telegram Account
Telegram is a fantastic app with perks like secure end-to-end encrypted messaging, VOIP, video calling, and large group sizes. Yet, we understand that there are valid grounds for why you‘d want to delete it. Let’s highlight some of the reasons below:
- Telegram is no longer the best app for you: Many messaging apps are available today, and you might have found one that serves you better. Hence, you feel you don’t need Telegram anymore.
- Your friends are leaving Telegram: It can also be that your chat buddies are no longer using Telegram. As such, you want to switch to the new app they use so you can have your conversation going with them.
- Telegram raises security concerns with breaches related to hackers and unauthorized metadata disclosure: There have been incidents where hackers exposed the personal details of Telegram users. Also, organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists and Stiftung Warentest have labeled the app as unsafe. Even though Telegram has grown to have better security, its history can discourage you from using it.
- People don’t need permission from the sender to delete chat messages on Telegram: The fact that another person can delete your chat messages is quite unsettling because it gives room for alteration and manipulation.
- Telegram’s security protocol, MTProto, is not reliabe: Many cryptographists consider Telegram’s security protocol as not secure enough. Moreover, the fact it doesn’t have an open-source code available to the public reinforces the claims that the messaging app is not transparent enough.
Things to Consider Before Deactivating Your Telegram Account
Before flipping the delete switch on your telegram account, here are some essential things to keep in mind:
- Removing your Telegram account is irreversible.
- After deletion, you won’t be able to retrieve your messages, groups, channels, or contact list.
- You must wait for some days to sign up again on Telegram with the same phone number. However, your previous data, including channels, messages, and contact list, will not be restored.
How to Export Data Before Leaving Telegram
As we’ve already explained, deleting your Telegram account will cause you to lose all your account data. Thankfully, Telegram allows you to export information like your chat logs for future reference, even after you’ve deleted your account. Below, we explain how to do so.
- Open the Telegram app, click the menu option at the top-right corner, and select Settings.
- Tap on Export Telegram Data.
- Look for and select Export Chat History and choose the specific date you wish to export.
- Wait for the files to be extracted. Depending on the data size, this could take a few minutes.
- Once completed, click on Show My Data to view what you’ve exported.
Deleting Telegram Account on Various Devices
Telegram is compatible with many devices, including Android, iPhone, and PC. Depending on the device you use, here is a step-by-step guide on how to delete your account.
On Android
Telegram doesn’t allow users to delete their accounts instantly via the app. Instead, it has a self-destruct option that allows you to delete your account after a certain period of inactivity. Check out how it’s done below.
- Open Telegram and tap on Settings.
- Now select Privacy and Security.
- Look for the If Away For option to start the deletion process.
- Choose the Time frame of inactivity after which you’d want your account permanently deleted. The available options are one, three, six, and twelve months. Although, Telegram has checked six months by default.
- Wait for your account to be deleted automatically and permanently after the selected time frame.
On iPhone
Like on Android, you can only erase your Telegram account on iPhone by activating the self-destruct option after a selected time frame of inactivity. To get started:
- Launch Telegram on your iPhone and navigate to Settings.
- Select Privacy and Security.
- Click on If Away For.
- Tap on your preferred period of inactivity and select Delete Account Now to confirm your choice.
On Desktop/PC Browser
You can remove your Telegram account instantly using your browser by following these steps:
- Navigate to the Telegram Deactivation page on your browser.
- Type in the phone number you used to open your Telegram account. Ensure to select the correct country code for your mobile number.
- Wait to receive an alphanumeric code on the Telegram mobile app.
- Type in the code and select Delete Account.
- You’ll be asked an optional question about why you want to delete the account. Then, click on Delete My Account.
- To confirm your decision, you’ll be asked again if you want to delete your account permanently. Tap on Yes, delete my account.
- You’re all done! All data associated with your account will be gone forever.
Can I Recover My Deleted Telegram Account?
No, you can’t. When you delete your account, you can’t retrieve any data, including contacts and chat history. You can sign up again on Telegram with the same number, but it’ll be a new account. Additionally, you must wait a few days after deleting an account before opening another one using the same phone number.
How to Use Telegram Securely
Creating a new account after deleting a previous one is possible. Whenever you choose to do so, we recommend that you adopt the following security measures to safeguard your telegram data.
- Do not share personal information: This is important, especially when chatting with people with whom you don’t have a personal relationship.
- Activate the two-factor authentication: You will normally need an SMS code for verification when using Telegram. You can further create a password to make your account more secure.
- Explore secret chats: Telegram has a Secret Chat feature that is end-to-encrypted, with self-destructing messages. You can use it to have sensitive conversations without fear of leakages.
- Personalize your privacy settings: You can adjust your settings, giving you control over who can view information like your number, profile photo, and online status. Based on your preference, you can restrict these details from being seen by anybody or just your contacts.
- Download updates frequently: Telegram is constantly being updated, and each update includes bug fixes and better security. Ensure you update the app constantly for the most recent and secure version.
- Don’t click unknown links or open suspicious messages: One way to avoid malicious actors and their phishing attacks is to avoid suspicious messages and links.
- Install a VPN: A VPN can mask your network connection so that third parties cannot track your data. Moreover, a robust VPN like ExtremeVPN has strong security features like split tunneling and AES encryption that protect you from opening phishing links and other malware.
How to Enhance Your Online Security
Telegram has limited security features, which poses a potential data leak. Although it has partial end-to-end encryption, unlike messaging apps like Signal, the option is only available when using Secret Chats. Luckily, a VPN can come in handy here.
When you use ExtremeVPN, nobody can monitor your online activities. It masks your IP address, protecting you from cyberattacks and data breaches. Furthermore, your sensitive information remains protected even when you connect to Telegram using public Wi-Fi networks.
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