Pinterest deletion is permanent and takes 30 days

When you delete your Pinterest account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During those 30 days, your account is hidden from public view but still exists in Pinterest's systems. After 30 days pass, Pinterest permanently removes your profile, boards, pins, and saved content. You cannot undo this after the 30-day window closes.

If you simply want to stop using Pinterest without losing your account, deactivation is different from deletion. A deactivated account can be reactivated by logging back in at any time. Deletion is the only option if you want your account completely gone.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion takes 30 days to become permanent, and you can cancel the deletion during that window by logging back into your account.
  • Your pins, boards, and saved content will be hidden immediately but remain recoverable for the full 30 days.
  • You must delete your account from a web browser — the mobile app does not have a deletion option.
  • If you have a business account, you will lose access to analytics and any ads you have running, so pause campaigns first if you plan to come back.

Steps to delete your account on the web

Go to pinterest.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Settings. On the left side menu, scroll down and click Account. At the bottom of the Account page, you will see a red button labeled Delete account. Click it.

Pinterest will ask you to confirm your password. Type it in and click Delete account again. You will see a message saying your account is scheduled for deletion and listing the date it will be permanently removed (30 days from that moment). Your account is now in deletion mode.

What happens to your content during the 30-day window

Your profile page, boards, and pins become invisible to other users immediately. People who try to visit your profile will see an error or a blank page. However, your data still exists on Pinterest's servers during the 30 days. If you log back in before the deadline, everything returns to normal and the deletion is cancelled.

Any pins you created will no longer appear in search results or on other people's feeds. If someone saved one of your pins before deletion, they will still see it in their own saved collection, but it will show as coming from a deleted account with no link back to your profile.

How to cancel deletion before the deadline

If you change your mind within the 30-day window, simply log into your Pinterest account as you normally would. Your account will reactivate immediately, and all your pins, boards, and followers will return. There is no extra step needed — logging in automatically cancels the deletion.

Make a note of the exact deletion date (Pinterest shows it on the confirmation page) so you know your deadline. If you wait until after that date passes, your account cannot be recovered.

Deleting a business account

Business accounts follow the same deletion process as personal accounts, but you should take a few extra steps first. If you have active Pinterest ads running, pause them before you delete. Once your account is gone, those campaigns will stop, and you will lose access to your ad account and any remaining ad balance.

Download your analytics if you want to keep a record of your account's performance. Pinterest does not provide this data after deletion. Go to Settings > Analytics and take screenshots or export any reports you need to save.

Why you cannot delete from the mobile app

Pinterest's mobile app (both iOS and Android) does not include the account deletion option. You must use a web browser on a computer or mobile device to access the deletion tool. Open pinterest.com in Safari, Chrome, or your default browser, log in, and follow the steps above.

This is a deliberate design choice by Pinterest — the company requires the extra step of using a browser to reduce accidental deletions from the app.

What to do if you forget your password

If you want to delete your account but cannot remember your password, you will need to reset it first. Go to pinterest.com/login and click Forgot password? Enter the email address connected to your account. Pinterest will send you a reset link. Click the link in your email, create a new password, and log in. Then follow the deletion steps above.

If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, contact Pinterest Support through the Help section of the Settings menu. Explain that you cannot access your email and want to delete your account. Support can verify your identity and process the deletion for you, though this may take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else access my account during the 30-day deletion period?

No. Your account is locked during deletion and cannot be logged into by anyone, including you. If you try to log in, you will see a message that your account is scheduled for deletion. Only after you log in does the deletion cancel and your account become accessible again.

Will Pinterest delete my data from their servers after 30 days?

Pinterest states that your data is permanently deleted after the 30-day window, but like most tech companies, they may retain backups or anonymized data for legal or technical reasons. If you need absolute certainty about data removal, contact Pinterest Support to ask about their data retention policies.

What if I share pins from my account on other websites?

Embedded pins (pins you have shared on blogs, forums, or other sites) will stop working after your account is deleted. They will show as broken links or display an error message. There is no way to preserve embedded pins after account deletion.

Do I need to unfollow people or delete my boards before deleting my account?

No. When you delete your account, all boards and follows are removed automatically. You do not need to do anything manually — the deletion process handles it all.

Can I download my pins before deleting?

Pinterest does not offer a built-in download tool for your pins. You can take screenshots of individual pins or boards, but there is no bulk export feature. If you want to save your pins, you will need to do this manually before starting the deletion process.