Reddit deletion is permanent and cannot be undone
When you delete a Reddit account, the site removes your username, profile, and post history within 30 days. After that window closes, the deletion is final — Reddit does not restore deleted accounts. If you change your mind after starting the deletion process but before those 30 days pass, you can log back in and cancel it. Once the 30 days end, your account and everything attached to it is gone.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account stays in Reddit's system and can be reactivated; a deleted account cannot. If you might want to return to Reddit later, deactivation is the safer choice. If you are certain you want out, deletion removes your presence entirely.
Key Takeaways
- You delete your Reddit account through your account settings on a computer or mobile browser — the mobile app does not have a delete option.
- Reddit will ask you to enter your password and choose a reason for leaving before confirming the deletion.
- Your username and posts disappear within 30 days, but you can cancel the deletion if you log back in before that period ends.
- After 30 days, the deletion is permanent and Reddit cannot restore your account.
- If you want to keep your account but hide your activity, deactivation is a reversible alternative.
Steps to delete your account on desktop
Go to reddit.com and log in if you are not already signed in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "User Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the settings page, scroll down and click "Deactivate or delete account" — it is near the bottom of the menu.
Reddit will show you two options: "Deactivate account" and "Delete account". Click "Delete account". The site will ask you to enter your password to confirm you own the account. Type it in and click the button to proceed.
Reddit will then ask you to choose a reason for deleting your account from a dropdown list. The options include "I do not feel safe", "I do not like the content", "I do not like the community", "I am not interested anymore", and others. Select whichever reason fits, though this choice does not affect whether your deletion goes through — it is optional feedback for Reddit.
After you select a reason, click the final confirmation button. Reddit will tell you the deletion has started and that your account will be fully removed within 30 days. Your username will disappear from Reddit immediately, but your posts and comments may remain visible for a short time before being scrubbed from the site's servers.
How to delete your account on mobile
The official Reddit app does not have a delete account option. You must use a mobile web browser instead. Open Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or another browser on your phone and go to reddit.com. Log in with your username and password.
Tap the profile icon (usually in the top right or accessible through a menu) and look for "User Settings" or "Settings". From there, follow the same steps as the desktop version: find "Deactivate or delete account", choose "Delete account", enter your password, select a reason, and confirm.
If you use the Reddit app regularly and want to delete your account, the browser method is the only way forward. Some third-party Reddit apps may have different layouts, but they typically do not offer account deletion either.
What happens to your posts and comments after deletion
Your username disappears from Reddit immediately after you confirm deletion. Posts and comments you made will show as "[deleted]" or "[removed]" in the threads where they appeared, though the text of what you wrote may still be visible for a few days. Within 30 days, Reddit's servers remove the full content.
If your posts were popular or saved by other users, copies may exist elsewhere on the internet — Reddit does not control those copies. Deleting your account does not erase screenshots, archives, or reposts that other people made. If you are concerned about specific posts, consider deleting them individually before you delete your account.
How to cancel a deletion before it is final
You have 30 days from the moment you request deletion to change your mind. During that window, log back into Reddit with your username and password. Your account will still work. Go to your settings, find "Deactivate or delete account", and look for an option to cancel the deletion request. Click it, and your account will remain active.
After 30 days pass, the cancellation option disappears and your account cannot be recovered. Reddit does not make exceptions to this policy, so if you think you might return, cancel before the deadline.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you want to step away from Reddit but are not ready to delete permanently, deactivation hides your account without removing it. When you deactivate, your username becomes invisible, your profile page disappears, and your posts show as "[deleted]". You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in.
Deactivation is useful if you are taking a break, concerned about privacy, or unsure whether you will return. It gives you a way out without the finality of deletion. You access the deactivation option in the same settings menu where deletion lives — just choose "Deactivate account" instead of "Delete account".
What you should do before deleting
Before you request deletion, download or save any posts or comments you want to keep. Reddit does not provide an automatic export tool, but you can copy and paste your content manually or use third-party tools designed to archive Reddit posts. Some of these tools work better than others, so test one before you delete if you have a lot of content to preserve.
If you have a Reddit vault (where cryptocurrency or digital collectibles are stored), make sure you have transferred those assets to a personal wallet first. Deleting your account does not automatically transfer vault contents, and you may lose access to them if you do not move them beforehand.
Check whether you are subscribed to any communities or have moderation duties. If you moderate a subreddit, deleting your account will remove you as a moderator. If that subreddit depends on you, consider stepping down and naming a replacement before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Reddit account from the mobile app?
No. The official Reddit app does not have a delete account feature. You must use a web browser on your phone or computer to delete your account. Open reddit.com in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or another browser, log in, and follow the deletion steps from there.
What if I forget my password before deleting?
Reddit requires your password to confirm deletion. If you have forgotten it, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page to reset it. You will receive an email with instructions. Once you have set a new password, log in and proceed with deletion.
Will deleting my account remove me from group chats or messages?
Your direct messages will be deleted along with your account. If you were part of a group chat, your messages will show as sent by a deleted account, but the conversation thread itself will remain for other members.
Can Reddit staff restore my account after 30 days?
No. Reddit's policy does not allow restoration of deleted accounts after the 30-day window closes. The deletion is permanent and irreversible after that point. If you think you might return, cancel the deletion before day 30 ends.
What happens to my saved posts and upvotes?
Your saved posts, upvotes, and downvotes are deleted along with your account. Other users' posts are not affected — only your personal activity tied to your account is removed.