The short answer
- 1Deleting your account removes your messages, groups and contacts on your side.
- 2Your chat partners keep their copies and see you as Deleted Account.
- 3Delete messages for both sides before deleting the account, not after.
In this article
Your side disappears; their copies stay
Telegram's FAQ says deleting an account removes its messages, groups and contacts, but the people you talked to keep their copies of your conversations. Telegram's iPhone app says the same when you start deleting: "Your chat partners will keep their message history with you, including the messages you shared in Secret Chats."
| After you delete your account | On your side | On the other person's side |
|---|---|---|
| Private chats | Gone | Kept, with your name shown as "Deleted Account" |
| Your messages in groups | Gone | Remain in the group |
| Groups and channels you created | Gone | Remain without a creator; admins keep their rights |
| Saved Messages and your cloud files | Gone; the app warns you will lose access to them | Not visible to anyone |
| Your number in their phone's contacts | No change | Still saved in their phone |
If you want your messages gone for them too
Do it before you delete the account. The iPhone app explains: "You can remove any messages for both sides at any time, but this will not be possible if you delete your account."
- In private chats, you can delete messages you sent and received for both sides. Clearing a whole chat also offers to delete it for the other person.
- In groups, you can only delete your own messages.
- For the future, Telegram's FAQ suggests auto-delete timers for messages you want to vanish on their own.
Signing up again later
If you sign up again with the same number, you get a brand-new, empty account. Nothing from the deleted account comes back, and people see a new contact. Telegram may also limit how soon you can sign up again after deleting; see signing up again after deleting.
If it is someone else who shows as "Deleted Account" in your chats, see a contact shows as 'Deleted Account'. Next step: deleting the app is not deleting your account.
FAQ
What do others see when I delete my Telegram account?
Your chats stay on their side, with your name shown as Deleted Account.
Are my messages deleted for everyone when I delete Telegram?
No. Your chat partners keep their copies. Delete messages for both sides before deleting the account.
What happens to groups I created if I delete my account?
They remain without a creator, and the admins keep their rights.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Your side
Everything gone, including Saved Messages.
- 2Their side
Copies remain; you appear as Deleted Account.
- 3Before deleting
Delete for both sides; outside copies stay.
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