How to Delete or Deactivate a Pinterest Account in Quick & Easy Steps

If you’ve decided it’s time to step away from Pinterest, whether temporarily or for good, the platform gives you control over how you manage your account.

Whether you're rebranding, cutting back on screen time, or simply no longer find value in Pinterest, you can choose to either deactivate your account for a break or permanently delete it along with all your content.

In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to downloading your data, deactivating your account, or deleting it permanently, and troubleshooting the challenges along the way.

Understanding the Difference: Delete vs. Deactivate on Pinterest

Before making a big decision about your Pinterest presence, it’s crucial to understand the difference between deactivating and deleting your account. Each option has distinct outcomes for your Pins, Boards, and account data, so choosing the right approach depends on your goals and situation.

What Is Deactivation on Pinterest?

Deactivating your Pinterest account is a temporary action. When you deactivate:

• Your profile, Boards, and Pins become hidden from other users.
• You won’t appear in search results or recommendations on Pinterest.
• Your data, including Pins, Boards, and followers, remains intact on Pinterest’s servers.
• You can reactivate your account at any time simply by logging back in, restoring your profile and content instantly.

When to deactivate:

Choose deactivation if you want to take a break, pause your marketing efforts, or temporarily remove your content from public view. This is ideal if you’re planning a rebrand, reassessing your strategy, or need time off without losing your Pinterest history.

What Is Deletion on Pinterest?

Deleting your Pinterest account is a permanent action. When you delete:

• All your Pins, Boards, and profile information are removed permanently from Pinterest.
• Your username becomes available to others.
• You lose all followers, analytics data, and history associated with your account.
• Deleted accounts cannot be restored. Once you confirm deletion, your content is gone for good.

When to delete:

Choose deletion if you’re leaving Pinterest permanently, closing your business, or want to erase your digital presence entirely. Only delete your account if you are certain you won’t need access to your Pins or Pinterest analytics in the future.

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Now, let’s start with how to deactivate your Pinterest account. Here's a step-by-step guide you can follow.

How to Deactivate Your Pinterest Account Temporarily

Whether you need a social media break, want to step away from Pinterest, or simply wish to clean up your digital presence, deactivating your Pinterest account is a straightforward process. 

How to Deactivate Your Pinterest Account on Desktop

1. Log in to your Pinterest account at pinterest.com using your preferred browser.
2. Click your profile picture at the top right to open the drop-down menu.
3. Select Settings from the menu.

4. In the left sidebar, click on Account Settings.

5. Scroll down until you find the Account changes section.

6. Click on Deactivate account.
7. Pinterest will prompt you to confirm your decision. Review the information about what deactivation means.
8. Click Continue and follow any on-screen prompts to finalize the deactivation.

How to Deactivate Your Pinterest Account Using the Mobile App

1. Open the Pinterest app on your mobile device and log in.
2. Tap your profile icon (bottom right corner).
3. Tap the three-dot menu or gear icon (top right) to access Settings.
4. Select Account Settings from the options.

5. Scroll down and tap on Deactivate account.
6. Pinterest will show information about what happens next. Review it and tap Continue.

7. Complete the process by following the on-screen prompts.

How to Reactivate Your Pinterest Account

If you change your mind and want to come back:

1. Go to pinterest.com or open the Pinterest app.

2. Log in using your old credentials (email and password).

3. Pinterest will prompt you to reactivate your account.

4. Follow the prompts to confirm, and your profile, Pins, and boards will be restored instantly.

By following these steps, you can manage your Pinterest presence with confidence. If you ever want to reactivate your account, Pinterest makes it easy to pick up right where you left off!

Let’s walk through the steps to permanently remove your Pinterest presence.

Pre-Deletion Checklist: Secure Your Pinterest Data Before You Go

Before you close your account, it’s essential to preserve everything valuable for future reference or migration to another platform. Here’s your comprehensive, SEO-optimized checklist:

1. Save or Export Key Pins, Boards, and Analytics

• Download Your Most Valuable Pins: Identify Pins that drive the most traffic or represent cornerstone content for your brand. Save original image files and descriptions to your local drive or cloud storage.
• Export Boards for Reference: For strategic boards, such as product showcases, campaign archives, or seasonal content, create a visual backup. Save screenshots or use PinMaker to bulk-export Pin images and titles.
• Archive Analytics Reports: Pinterest Analytics offers insights into what content performed best, your audience demographics, and key engagement trends. Download or screenshot your most recent analytics dashboards, especially if you plan to report on Pinterest ROI post-deletion.

2. Use Tools to Bulk-Download Visual Assets and Export Data

• Bulk-Download Data: With tools like PinMaker, you can efficiently download all your branded Pins, graphics, and board covers in one go. This saves hours of manual work and ensures no important visual assets are lost.
• Export Pin Data for Future Use: Use tools like PinMaker to export Pin titles, descriptions, URLs, and even performance metrics. This allows you to repurpose content on other platforms or maintain a record for future campaigns.

3. Disconnect Third-Party Apps and Services

• Revoke Access for Linked Tools: If you’ve connected third-party apps (e.g., analytics dashboards, automation tools, or social schedulers), visit your Pinterest settings and disconnect them. This prevents unnecessary data access or integration errors after deletion.

4. Notify Collaborators and Manage Group Boards

• Communicate with Collaborators: If you manage group boards or co-create content with team members, notify them of your plans to close the account. Provide a timeline for the transition and share any files or access they might need going forward.
• Transfer Board Ownership if Needed: Assign a new owner to any group boards you don’t want deleted, or ensure other contributors are aware they will lose access once your account is removed.

Taking time to back up your Pinterest assets ensures your creative work, insights, and community relationships are not lost in the process. With PinMaker’s export and management tools, you can make this transition seamless and organized.

How to Permanently Delete Your Pinterest Account

Follow these detailed steps for both desktop and mobile, and be mindful of what account deletion means for your saved Pins, boards, and profile data.

Step-by-Step Guide: Deleting Your Pinterest Account on Desktop

1. Log in to Your Pinterest Account: Open Pinterest.com and sign in with your username and password.
2. Access Your Account Settings: Click your profile picture at the top right corner, then select the “Settings” option from the dropdown menu.
   

1. Navigate to Account Management: In the left sidebar, click on “Account Settings.” This is where you manage core account functions.
   

1. Select ‘Delete Account’: Scroll down until you find the “Delete account” button. Click it.
   

1. Confirm Your Decision: Pinterest will prompt you with a confirmation message explaining what deletion means (all Pins, boards, and account data will be lost). You’ll be asked for a reason for leaving. Select one and proceed.
   

1. Verify Your Identity: Pinterest will send a verification email to the address linked to your account. Open your email and follow the link provided to confirm the deletion request.
2. Final Confirmation: Once you click the confirmation link in your email, your account will be scheduled for permanent deletion.
   

Step-by-Step Guide: Deleting Your Pinterest Account on Mobile

1. Open the Pinterest App: Log in to your account on the Pinterest mobile app (iOS or Android).
2. Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
3. Access Account Settings: Tap the gear or three-dot menu (depending on your app version) at the top-right, then select “Settings.”
   

1. Select Account Settings: Tap “Account Settings” to view options for managing your account.
   

1. Choose ‘Delete Your Data and Account’: Scroll down and tap “Delete your data and account.”
   

1. Follow the Prompts: Pinterest will outline the consequences of deleting your account. Confirm your reason for leaving, then continue.
   

1. Verify via Email: Check your email for a confirmation message from Pinterest. Follow the link to permanently delete your account.
   

Important Reminders Before Deleting Your Pinterest Account

• Account Recovery: Once you initiate deletion and confirm via email, your account will be deactivated immediately and scheduled for permanent removal after 14 days. During this period, you can log in to your account to cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
• Linked Business Accounts: If your Pinterest account is connected to a business profile, the business features and analytics will also be deleted.
• Waiting Period: Pinterest retains your account data for 14 days after the deletion request. After this period, recovery is no longer possible.

If you wish to use Pinterest in the future, you’ll need to create a new account from scratch.

Let’s explore how PinMaker empowers you to manage, preserve, and relaunch your Pinterest presence seamlessly, no matter your next move.

How PinMaker Can Help You Manage Your Pinterest Journey

Managing a successful Pinterest presence requires agility, organization, and reliable tools, especially when making significant account changes or starting fresh. PinMaker is your all-in-one solution to ensure you never lose your momentum, creativity, or content, even if you decide to pause or reset your Pinterest account.

• Download and Secure Your Pinterest Assets: Before making any permanent changes to your Pinterest account, use PinMaker to quickly download all your high-performing Pins, graphics, and descriptions. This feature lets you create a secure backup of your entire visual content library, so your creative work stays protected and accessible.
• Effortless Pin Scheduling and Repurposing: PinMaker’s intuitive scheduling tools make it simple to plan, automate, and repurpose your Pins ahead of time. If you’re stepping away from Pinterest, you can schedule content to continue engaging your audience or easily repurpose existing visuals for other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or your blog. This ensures your brand visibility never falters, even during periods of inactivity.
• Seamless Board and Visual Recreation: Returning to Pinterest after a break? PinMaker allows you to swiftly recreate your boards and reload your best-performing Pins, complete with optimized titles, descriptions, and hashtags. You can restore your content calendar in minutes, re-engage your audience, and pick up exactly where you left off, without starting from scratch.
• Support for Pinterest Best Practices: PinMaker stays up to date with Pinterest’s latest best practices, ensuring your content remains optimized for discoverability, engagement, and growth. Whether you’re launching a new business account, reactivating a previous profile, or pivoting your content strategy, PinMaker provides the templates, analytics, and automation needed to stay ahead of the curve.

Empowering Both New and Returning Pinterest Users:

• For New Accounts: Kickstart your journey with ready-to-use Pin templates, keyword research, and scheduled posting to build an active, professional presence from day one.
• For Reactivated Accounts: Restore your brand’s authority by quickly populating boards, reviving evergreen content, and leveraging analytics to guide your relaunch.

With PinMaker, you’re always in control of your visual assets and content strategy. Whether you’re pausing, pivoting, or scaling your Pinterest marketing, PinMaker ensures your business remains agile, creative, and ready to grow, no matter where your Pinterest journey takes you.

Ready to take control of your Pinterest marketing and never lose your creative edge? Start using PinMaker

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between deactivating and deleting my Pinterest account?
A: Deactivating is temporary; your Pins and Boards are hidden but not deleted, and you can reactivate at any time. Deleting is permanent; your content, followers, and data are removed completely, and your username becomes available to others.

2. Can I recover my Pinterest account after I delete it?
A: Only if you log in within 14 days of the deletion request. After that, your account and all data are permanently erased and cannot be recovered.

3. Will deactivating my Pinterest account affect my followers or Pins?
A: Your followers won’t see your profile, Pins, or Boards while your account is deactivated, but nothing is lost. Everything is restored when you reactivate your account.

4. How can I save my Pinterest data before deleting my account?
A: Use tools like PinMaker to bulk-download your Pins, Boards, and analytics. You can also take screenshots, save original images, and export analytics reports from your Pinterest dashboard.

5. Is there a way to schedule content while I take a break from Pinterest?
A: Yes, with PinMaker, you can schedule Pins in advance, repurpose visuals for other platforms, and keep your audience engaged even while you're away.

6. Will people know if I deactivate my Pinterest account?
A: No public notification is made. Your profile simply becomes invisible on the platform, and you won’t appear in searches or recommendations.

7. What happens to group boards if I delete my Pinterest account?
A: If you’re the owner, the board will be removed unless you transfer ownership beforehand. Notify collaborators and manage transitions before deleting.

8. Can I use the same email to create a new Pinterest account after deletion?
A: Yes, but only after the original account is permanently deleted (after the 14-day waiting period). You can then use the same email to sign up again.