Quick Summary
When you delete your WhatsApp account, all of your WhatsApp data is erased. This includes your messages, media, contacts, account information and settings. Your WhatsApp account will no longer be accessible and your account ID cannot be used to create a new account.
Some things to note when deleting your WhatsApp account:
- Your messages and media will be deleted from WhatsApp servers
- Backups of your chat history and media will also be deleted
- You will be removed from all WhatsApp groups
- Your contacts will no longer see your profile photo or status updates
- You can reactivate your account within 30 days by verifying your phone number
Overall, when your WhatsApp account is deleted, it will be completely removed from WhatsApp’s systems and other users’ contact lists. There will be no trace of your account left on WhatsApp.
Deleting Your WhatsApp Account
Here are the steps to delete your WhatsApp account:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings
- Tap Account > Delete My Account
- Enter your phone number in full international format
- Tap Delete My Account at the bottom
- Confirm by tapping Delete My Account again
Once you confirm, your account will be scheduled for deletion. It can take up to 90 days for your account to be completely removed from WhatsApp’s servers.
What Happens When You Delete Your Account
Here are all the details on what happens when you delete your WhatsApp account:
Your Account Is Deactivated
Immediately after requesting deletion, your WhatsApp account is deactivated. You will be logged out automatically.
Chats Are Deleted
All of your individual and group chats are erased from WhatsApp servers. This includes all messages, photos, videos and files you have sent or received.
Backups Are Deleted
Any backups of your WhatsApp data stored on Google Drive or iCloud will also be deleted when you delete your account. All chat history and media in the backups will be removed.
You Are Removed From All Groups
When your account is deleted, you are automatically removed from all WhatsApp groups you are a member of. The groups will continue to function without you.
Your Contacts See “Account Deleted”
For your contacts, your name will be replaced with “Account Deleted” in their address books. They will no longer see your profile photo, status or ‘last seen’.
You Can’t Be Added to Groups
Since your account no longer exists, other users cannot add your number to new groups. Even if they try, you will not receive any group invites.
Your Account ID Is Unusable
Your WhatsApp account ID, which is tied to your phone number, cannot be used to create a new account if your account is deleted. You will have to verify a new number.
You Can Reactivate Within 30 Days
If you regret deleting your account, you have 30 days to reactivate it by simply verifying your phone number again. After 30 days, your account is permanently deleted.
What Happens After Your Account Is Permanently Deleted
It can take up to 90 days for your WhatsApp account to be completely removed after you request deletion. Here is what happens during this time:
1-30 Days After Deletion
Your account remains deactivated during this time. You can still reactivate your account by verifying your number.
30-90 Days After Deletion
Your account is scheduled for permanent deletion. WhatsApp starts the process of wiping your data from its servers.
After 90 Days
Your account is completely deleted. All account information and personal data is removed from WhatsApp databases. Your account cannot be recovered.
So in summary, for the first 30 days your account is in a deactivated state, and only after 90 days is it permanently gone from WhatsApp.
Why Your Data Is Not Deleted Immediately
You may be wondering, if WhatsApp can delete your account, why does it take 90 days for your data to be fully erased?
Here are some reasons why WhatsApp doesn’t delete accounts instantly:
- WhatsApp has billions of users, so deletion is a complex technical process
- Data may be cached on servers for performance reasons and takes time to purge
- Backups also need time to be deleted from linked cloud services
- WhatsApp wants to give users a window to reactivate deleted accounts easily
- Regulations may require WhatsApp to keep records for a certain time period
So while your chats may seem instant, deleting an entire account from WhatsApp’s infrastructure understandably takes some time.
What Happens If You Don’t Delete Your Account
What if you deactivated your WhatsApp account but didn’t fully delete it? Here’s what happens:
Account Remains Deactivated Indefinitely
Your account will stay deactivated as long as you don’t reverify your phone number. It will not be automatically deleted.
You Can Reactivate Anytime
You can easily reactivate your WhatsApp by verifying your phone number again. All your data will be restored.
Some Data May Be Deleted Over Time
WhatsApp may delete old unused accounts over time, such as accounts deactivated for over 120 days. But your data is safe for quite some time.
You Appear as “Inactive” to Contacts
Your contacts will see your last seen as the time you deactivated WhatsApp. Your profile will show as “inactive account”.
Can’t Be Added to New Groups
Just like a deleted account, you cannot be added to any new WhatsApp groups while deactivated. Group admins will see an error message.
So in summary, deactivating your account keeps your data safe for a long time, but your account remains dormant until you choose to reactivate.
How to Download Your WhatsApp Data
Before deleting your WhatsApp account, you may want to download a copy of your WhatsApp data for your records. Here’s how:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat History
- Tap Export Chat History
- Select whether to include media and tap Export
- Your data will be emailed as a .zip file attachment
- Save this file to keep a backup of your WhatsApp data
This will allow you to retain your own local backup of your messages, photos, videos and other WhatsApp data.
Can You Retrieve Deleted WhatsApp Data?
Unfortunately, there is no way to retrieve or restore any data from a deleted WhatsApp account. Once your account is past the 30 day reactivation period, your data is permanently gone.
Some things to keep in mind:
- WhatsApp does not keep any copy of deleted account data
- Backups to Google Drive or iCloud are also deleted
- WhatsApp will not be able to share any of your account data
- There are no third party services that can recover deleted WhatsApp data
So if you need to keep any information or memories from WhatsApp, make sure to download your data before deleting your account.
Can Someone Else See Your Deleted WhatsApp Account?
No, it is not possible for another person to view or access your deleted WhatsApp account. Here’s why:
- Your account ID is no longer valid after deletion
- All account data is erased from WhatsApp servers
- Your profile, last seen, status all disappear
- You are removed from all shared group chats
- Your contacts only see “Account Deleted” for your name
So once your account is deleted, there is no way for anyone else to access it or view any previously shared WhatsApp data. It will be like your account never existed.
Common Questions About Deleted WhatsApp Accounts
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about deleted WhatsApp accounts:
Can I reuse my old phone number for WhatsApp?
Yes, you can create a new WhatsApp account with your old phone number after your previous account is permanently deleted. WhatsApp recycles deleted account numbers.
Are my WhatsApp backups deleted if I delete my account?
Yes, any Google Drive or iCloud backups associated with your account will be erased when you delete your account.
Can I tell if someone has deleted their WhatsApp?
You’ll see “Account Deleted” instead of their name in your contacts. Their last seen will be the time they deleted their account.
What happens to group chats when someone leaves?
If a member deletes their WhatsApp, they are automatically removed from all groups. The groups will continue to function.
Can I temporarily deactivate WhatsApp without deleting?
Yes, you can deactivate your account which keeps your data intact. Just uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall when ready to use again.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Deleting WhatsApp erases all your messages, media, groups and settings
- Your account ID becomes permanently unavailable
- It takes up to 90 days for your data to be completely deleted
- You have a 30 day window to reactivate your account
- Once deleted, your WhatsApp data cannot be retrieved
So be certain before deleting your account, as the process is irreversible after 30 days. Make backups of anything important, as WhatsApp deletes all traces of your account. With billions of users, account deletion is a complex process and takes time. But once done, your account will be like it never existed at all.