You should either delete or deactivate your WhatsApp.

We’ll show you how to delete or temporarily deactivate your WhatsApp account.

Should You Delete or Deactivate Your WhatsApp Account?

new WhatsApp privacy feature

WhatsApp only offers one option if you want to leave the platform: deleting your account.

You will also be removed from all your WhatsApp groups.

However, suppose you want to take a break from the platform.

Person holding a phone with Gmail open on it

In that case, the app doesn’t offer an official way to deactivate your WhatsApp account temporarily.

However, we can achieve that by using different workarounds.

If you’re interested, we’ve already covered ways todisappear from WhatsApp without deleting the app.

Removing WhatsApp from iPhone

According toWhatsApp, the platform will delete your data and everything related to your account in 90 days.

WhatsApp also says copies of your information might remain in backup storage after the 90 days have elapsed.

WhatsApp settings page on Android

Confirming a WhatsApp number for account deletion

WhatsApp account deletion page on Android

WhatsApp’s Settings tab on iOS

Entering a WhatsApp number for account deletion

WhatsApp account deletion confirmation