How to Delete WhatsApp Account Permanently
(Step-by-Step)

Follow the steps below to delete WhatsApp account from your android device.

  • Tap on the three dots icon on top left corner
  • Tap: Settings > Account > Delete my account
  • Now after entering phone number tap on Delete my account
  • Indicate your reason to delete your account and tap Delete my account
  • Tap Delete my account once more.

Your Account is deleted now, for visual representation on “how to delete your WhatsApp account” and to get more insights about WhatsApp privacy concerns and other FAQs, scroll through this guide.
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Table of Content

How Can WhatsApp Be Dangerous for your Online Privacy?

WhatsApp was bought by the social media giant, Facebook, in a deal that was worth $19 billion in 2014. The service is already in use by billions around the globe, and more users are being added to the list with each passing day.

Early users of WhatsApp will remember a notification they received every time they logged onto the communications platform. This notification stated that WhatsApp is free for a limited time and will turn into a paid service when this time period expires.

Over time, WhatsApp announced that it is canceling its plan to turn into a paid service and users can continue using freely for however long they want to. Many wondered how Facebook planned to monetize from a service they spent billions of dollars to purchase.

In recent developments, we have seen Facebook coming under controversies for sharing user data with third-parties without taking any form of consent. The service has slowly turned into an advertising company that sells data of all users to anyone who is willing to pay big bucks.

While the social media giant continues to be plagued with controversies concerning privacy violations, the other services attached to Facebook are also coming under scrutiny. The founders of WhatsApp, Jan Koum and Brian Acton, left working for the social media giant. Brian Acton is openly participating in the #deleteFacebook movement, while reports state that Jan Koum also left because of privacy intrusions into the popular communications platform.

There is a popular saying that “If you’re not buying the product, then you are the product.” Facebook certainly plans on using your data for its own financial benefits. It’s high-time for you to say no to any such activities. It’s time for you to delete WhatsApp once and for all!

How to Delete WhatsApp Account on iOS

To delete WhatsApp Account on iOS follow these steps:

  • Open WhatsApp and Log in to your account if you aren’t already

    img class=”img-responsive steps_img” src=”https://images.purevpn-tools.com/public/images/how-to-delete-whatsapp-account-on-ios-step-1.png” alt=”how to delete WhatsApp Account on iOS”>

  • Tap setting and then tap account

    how to delete whatsapp account

  • Select delete my account. Enter your mobile number on which your WhatsApp Account is registered to proceed.

    deleting whatsapp

How to Delete WhatsApp Account on Android

To delete WhatsApp Account on Android follow these steps:

  • Open WhatsApp, log-in to your account (if you haven’t already)

    how to delete whatsapp account
  • Tap on the three dots icon which are located on the top left corner of the screen.
  • Tap on Settings.

  • Tap Account.

    how to delete whatsapp account on android

  • Tap Delete my account.

    how to remove whatsapp
  • Enter your phone number.
  • Tap Delete my account.
  • Indicate your reason for wanting to delete your account.

  • Tap Delete my account.

    uninstall whatsapp
  • Tap Delete my account for the final time.

What happens when you delete a WhatsApp account?

Best Answer: After deleting a WhatsApp account, you can’t access previous messages as your account doesn’t exist anymore. Plus your contacts can’t message you on WhatsApp and you are automatically removed from every WhatsApp group.

Here is a quick rundown of everything that happens when you delete a WhatsApp account:

  • Your Message History: You may not know this, but when you delete a WhatsApp account, you are wiping out all the previous chats related to your account automatically. Also, you will remove WhatsApp chat backups on your iCloud as well as Google Drive. The biggest caveat is you can’t restore any WhatsApp chat if you have deleted an account even after you restore your account.
  • Your Contacts: If your WhatsApp doesn’t know that you have deleted the account, then they might be sending you messages and will get a single tick only. This means your contacts are sending you messages but you are not receiving them as your WhatsApp account doesn’t exist anymore.
  • Your WhatsApp Groups: After you delete a WhatsApp account, you are automatically removed from every single group that you were a part of. Usually, a group admin is responsible for adding or removing people in a WhatsApp group. But when it comes to deleting your account, your account vanishes and you are no longer a member of any WhatsApp group.
    However, if you are a group admin of any WhatsApp group, then any random member will become an admin and you will lose your admin rights. You have to rejoin all the WhatsApp groups once again assuming you restore the account.
  • Your Personal Information: When you delete your WhatsApp account, the personal information associated with this account will also be removed. However, your profile picture on WhatsApp will remain visible to your contacts.
  • Your Settings: WhatsApp settings will be removed when you delete a WhatsApp account. If you have previously made any changes in your WhatsApp settings, then it will reset to default as soon as you reactivate the account.
  • Your Photos and Videos: If you have switched on the Auto-save option from the WhatsApp settings, then the pictures will be saved automatically to the Photos folder. You can check your WhatsApp pictures or videos directly from the photo gallery. However, all the pictures and videos will be deleted once you delete a WhatsApp account if you have not installed them on your device.
  • Your Payment History: The payment option doesn’t work in every country. But there are some regions where WhatsApp supports online payments. So if you are deleting your WhatsApp account and have used the payment option, then the history will be removed.

How to Back up Your WhatsApp Chats and Media

You might reconsider using your old WhatsApp account after permanently deleting it. So why not backup all the previous chats, photos, and videos? Getting a backup of your WhatsApp account is simple and all you have to do is follow the steps below:

  • Open WhatsApp.
  • Click on Settings > Chats and Calls > Chat Backup.
  • Now choose Back Up Now and you are done.

Bonus Tip: Also, you can switch on the Auto Backup option on your device (iPhone and Android). In this way, you can easily restore all the previous messages, contacts, and photos when you reactivate your WhatsApp account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I delete my WhatsApp backup?

Always remember that deleting your WhatsApp backup will remove all your photos, videos, and previous chat records from the device. But if you still want to delete your WhatsApp backup history, follow the steps below:

From Google Drive:

  • Open the Google Drive app and sign in to your account
  • Click on Settings > Manage Apps > WhatsApp Messenger
  • Now click on Options
  • Choose Delete hidden app data or Disconnect from drive
  • Click delete and you are done

From iCloud:

  • On your iOS device, open the Settings app
  • Click on your Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage > WhatsApp Messenger
  • Now choose Delete data and you are done

What happens if I uninstall WhatsApp on my device?

After you uninstall WhatsApp from your device, you can’t see any messages or phone calls. However, your WhatsApp contacts can still send messages, pictures, or videos to your account. Once you reinstall WhatsApp on your device, you can check those messages, pictures, or videos easily.

How do I deactivate a WhatsApp account temporarily?

Follow the steps below to deactivate a WhatsApp account on your Android device:

  • Go to your Settings option on the phone
  • Click on Apps > Open List of Apps > Select WhatsApp
  • Now click on Force Stop
  • Choose disable Background data and you are done

How do I lock a WhatsApp account?

Here’s a way to block any WhatsApp contact from your Android phone:

  • Open WhatsApp on your device
  • Tap on More Options
  • Click on Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts
  • Tap Add
  • Search for the contact that you want to block and you are done

If you are using an iPhone, follow the below steps to block a WhatsApp contact:

  • Open WhatsApp on your iPhone or iPad
  • Search for the contact that you want to block and open the message
  • Click on the name of the contact above
  • Scroll down and click on Block Contact
  • Choose Block and you are done

How does your profile appear when you delete a WhatsApp account?

Your contacts will not be able to see your profile picture as it disappears after you delete a WhatsApp account. If someone new is finding your WhatsApp account using your name or phone number, then he or she will only see an Invite button under your name. This shows that you are not on WhatsApp anymore.

Want to reclaim your online privacy? You might want to check below how to delete your account guides of social media platforms: