Pinterest gives you two choices: pause your account temporarily or delete it permanently
If you want to stop using Pinterest but might return later, you can deactivate your account — it hides your profile and boards from public view for 30 days, then deletes everything if you don't reactivate. If you're done with Pinterest entirely, you can permanently delete your account, which removes your profile, boards, pins, and saved content right away. Deletion is final and cannot be undone.
The process takes about two minutes and requires only your password. You do it from your account settings, not from the Pinterest app — the app doesn't have a deletion option.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account for 30 days and deletes everything if you don't log back in; permanent deletion removes your account immediately and cannot be reversed.
- You must use a web browser (Pinterest.com) to delete your account — the mobile app does not have this option.
- Pinterest will ask you to confirm your password and reason for leaving before the deletion is final.
- If you have a Pinterest Business account, you will lose access to analytics and any ads you have running.
How to permanently delete your Pinterest account on a computer
Go to Pinterest.com and log in if you are not already signed in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page and look for a section called "Account" or "Deactivate account." Click on "Delete account" or "Permanently delete account" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on whether you have a personal or business account. Pinterest will show you a warning that deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Enter your password when prompted. Pinterest requires this to confirm you own the account. Then select your reason for leaving from the dropdown menu — the options typically include "I don't find it useful," "Privacy concerns," "I'm not interested," or "Other." You do not have to choose a specific reason; any selection will work.
Click the red "Delete account" button. Your account and all its content will be removed immediately. You will be logged out and cannot undo this action.
What happens to your data when you delete
Your profile, boards, pins, and saved content are removed from Pinterest's public servers right away. Other users cannot see your account or any boards you created. However, if you pinned images from other websites, those images may still exist on those websites — deleting your Pinterest account does not remove the original content from the internet.
If you shared pins on other platforms like Facebook or Twitter, those shares remain on those platforms. Deleting your Pinterest account does not delete cross-posted content elsewhere.
If you have a Pinterest Business account with active ads, those ads will stop running immediately. You will lose access to any analytics or performance data associated with those ads.
Deactivation as an alternative to permanent deletion
If you are unsure whether you want to leave Pinterest permanently, deactivation lets you pause your account for 30 days. During this time, your profile and boards are hidden from other users and search results, but your data is not deleted.
To deactivate instead of delete, go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, and select "Deactivate account" (not "Delete account"). Your account will be hidden immediately. If you log back in within 30 days, your account reactivates and everything returns to normal. If you do not log in within 30 days, Pinterest automatically deletes your account permanently.
Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Pinterest without losing your boards and pins, or if you want to test whether you actually want to leave before committing to permanent deletion.
Deleting your account on the Pinterest app
The Pinterest mobile app does not have an account deletion option. You must use a web browser on a computer or mobile device to delete your account. Open Pinterest.com in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or another browser, log in, and follow the steps above.
If you want to stop using the app without deleting your account, you can simply uninstall it from your phone or tablet. This removes the app but does not affect your Pinterest account.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Pinterest login page. Pinterest will send a password reset link to the email address associated with your account. Click the link, create a new password, and then follow the deletion steps above.
If you no longer have access to the email address linked to your account, you can contact Pinterest Support through their help center at help.pinterest.com. Explain that you cannot access your email and want to delete your account. Pinterest may ask you to verify your identity before processing the deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my account after I delete it?
No. Permanent deletion is final and cannot be reversed. Pinterest does not restore deleted accounts. If you think you might want to use Pinterest again, choose deactivation instead, which gives you 30 days to change your mind.
Will deleting my Pinterest account delete my Google account or Facebook account?
No. Deleting your Pinterest account only removes your Pinterest profile and data. If you signed up for Pinterest using your Google or Facebook login, those accounts remain active and unaffected. You would need to delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them.
What happens to pins I saved from other people's boards?
When you delete your account, all your saved pins and boards are removed. The original pins on other people's boards are not affected — only your copies and your personal boards disappear.
Do I need to delete my Pinterest Business account differently?
The deletion process is the same for Business and personal accounts. Go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, and click "Delete account." Business accounts lose access to analytics and any running ads immediately upon deletion.
How long does it take for my account to be completely removed from Pinterest's servers?
Your profile and content are hidden immediately, but Pinterest may take a few weeks to fully remove all traces of your account from their backup systems. For practical purposes, your account is gone right away — other users cannot find or access it.