Delete your account Whatsapp is an important decision, whether for reasons of confidentiality, a change of number, or a loss of phone. With more than 3 billion users In 2025 (Statista), WhatsApp is omnipresent, but its removal process is irreversible and requires precautions.
Follow our step-by-step instructions for secure removal.
What is deleting a WhatsApp account?
Deleting a WhatsApp account means delete permanently your profile, your message histories, media, and your presence in the groups. This action is irreversible, and your data is no longer recoverable after a period of 30 days. Before proceeding, it is crucial to Save your discussions if you want to keep them.
Precautions before removal
Save your discussions :
On android : Settings > Discussions > Safeguard > Save to Google Drive.
On ios : Settings > Discussions > Safeguard > Back up now (iCloud).
Export specific conversations :
Open a chat, tap the three dots (Android) or the contact name (iOS), then” Export discussion ” (with or without media).
Email the.txt file or store it.
Check your contacts : WhatsApp does not affect your phone book, but let your contacts know your new number if necessary.
Delete cloud backups (optional):
Google Drive : Go to drive.google.com > Settings > Manage applications > Whatsapp > Remove hidden data.
Enter your phone number (with the prefix, e.g.: +33 for France).
Press Delete my account and confirm.
(Optional) Please provide a reason for the deletion.
On iOS
Launch Whatsapp.
Go to Settings (bottom right).
Touch Account > Delete my account.
Type your phone number with the indicative.
Touch Delete my account and confirm.
Without access to the phone
If you no longer have your phone (lost, stolen), contact WhatsApp support:
Send an email to this email address: support@whatsapp.com.
Subject: “Delete my WhatsApp account.”
Include your no. (e.g.: +1 XXX XXX XXXX) and explain the situation and other identifiers.
WhatsApp will deactivate the account under 30 days after verifying the information.
Consequences and deletion period
Data erased : Message history, media, groups, and local/cloud backups (if not manually deleted).
Irreversibility : After 30 days, the data is permanently deleted from the WhatsApp servers.
Dissociated number : Your number will no longer appear in your friends' WhatsApp contacts.
Notifications : Your contacts are not notified, but they will see your profile disappear.
Reactivation : You can recreate an account with the same number, but without retrieving the old data.
Table: Comparison of WhatsApp deletion by device
🔑 WhatsApp Account Deletion Methods by Device (2025)
🔑 Criterion
🤖 Android
🍎 iOS
📵 Without Phone
📱 Access to App
Required
Required
Not required
🛣️ Path
Settings > Account > Delete
Settings > Account > Delete
Send email to support@whatsapp.com
⏳ Duration
30 days
30 days
30 days after verification
✅ Confirmation
Immediate in app
Immediate in app
None, manual verification
💾 Backup
Google Drive
iCloud
Not applicable
Can you recover your data after deletion?
No, after the 30 days, the posts, media, and safeguards are unrecoverable. If you have exported discussions or maintained a cloud backup, you can:
Restore a backup to a new account (same number) via Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iOS).
Consult the .txt exports of archived discussions.
Conclusion
Delete an account Whatsapp In 2025 is simple but irreversible, requiring precautions How to save your discussions upon Google Drive or iCloud, or export conversations. Whether you use android, ios, or no longer have your phone, follow our steps for secure removal. With a delay of 30 days, act quickly if you change your mind. Prioritize your confidentiality and test the backup before deleting via www.whatsapp.com or contact support with any questions!
What should I do after deleting WhatsApp?
1. How to get your messages back
Did you make a backup before deleting WhatsApp? Great! You will be able to find your conversations again. It's like making a photocopy of your messages before deleting them.
To retrieve them, here is where to look according to your phone:
Video calls, GIFs, stickers, integration with Facebook
✔ Pros: Widespread adoption, intuitive interface ✖ Cons: Data collection by Facebook
Free
Session
Advanced encryption, no data collection
No phone number required, decentralized network
✔ Pros: Very secure, ideal for anonymity ✖ Cons: Small user base
Free
These alternatives offer varying levels of privacy and features adapted to different needs. Signal is the most secure, Telegram is ideal for community management, and Messenger remains handy for those who already use Facebook.
3. Go back to WhatsApp
Do you want to go back to WhatsApp? No problem! You can create a new account using your old phone number. But beware, a few important points: What is changing:
Your old messages don't come back by themselves
Your friends don't know you're back
You have to join all your groups again
All your settings are reset to zero
A practical tip: send a text message to your loved ones to let them know that you are back on WhatsApp. They will be happy to know!
In conclusion, after deleting its services, several options are available to you.
You can recover your information if you have saved each chat on Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, use any other messaging application, or create a new account.
Conclusion
Deleting WhatsApp has definitive consequences. Your chats, photos, and contacts will be lost forever. A return to the past will be impossible.
The key things to do before deleting:
Keep a copy of your important email conversations
Note the contacts that you use often
Tell your loved ones How else to reach you
WhatsApp takes time to delete everything: 90 days to completely empty their servers. Sent messages stay on your contacts' phones - impossible to delete them remotely.
WhatsApp support helps if needed, but can't recover a deleted account.
It is better to be well prepared and have a plan for communicating differently. Deleting the service is technically simple, but the consequences of this operation are permanent.
FAQ
How do I delete my WhatsApp account?
Go to Settings (Android) or Settings (iOS) > Account > Delete My Account, enter your number, and confirm.
Do the steps differ between Android and iOS?
No, except for the interface: three dots on Android, Settings tab on iOS. The process is the same.
How long for a permanent deletion?
Deleting your WhatsApp account offers the possibility of recovering data within a maximum of 30 days.
Can I recover my messages after they have been deleted?
No, unless you have a cloud backup or .txt exports before deleting.
You’ll Also Love…
Discover other carefully selected articles to deepen your knowledge and maximize your impact.
.svg)
