How to cancel your Pinterest account
To delete your Pinterest account, log in to Pinterest.com, go to your settings, and select "Deactivate account" or "Close account" (the exact wording depends on your device and when Pinterest last updated the interface). Pinterest will ask you to confirm your password and give you a reason for leaving. After you confirm, your account closes immediately, though Pinterest keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind and want to reactivate it. After 30 days, your profile, boards, pins, and saved content are permanently deleted.
The process takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact Pinterest support or wait for approval — the deletion is instant on your end. If you want to preserve any of your pins or boards before closing the account, download them first, because once the 30-day window closes, they are gone.
Key Takeaways
- Log into Pinterest, open settings, and select the deactivate or close account option to start the deletion process.
- Your account closes immediately, but Pinterest retains your data for 30 days and will reactivate it if you log back in during that window.
- After 30 days pass, all your pins, boards, comments, and profile information are permanently deleted with no recovery option.
- If you want to keep any pins or boards, save or download them before you close the account, because deletion is permanent after the 30-day period.
Where to find the account closure option
On a computer, log into Pinterest.com, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and select "Settings." Scroll down to the bottom of the settings page and look for "Deactivate account," "Close account," or "Delete account" — Pinterest has changed this label over time. Click that option and you will see a confirmation screen asking why you are leaving.
On the Pinterest app for iPhone or Android, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon), scroll to "Settings," and look for the same account closure option. The mobile app sometimes hides this deeper in the menu than the website does, so if you do not see it immediately, scroll all the way to the bottom of the settings list.
What happens during the 30-day reactivation window
After you close your account, Pinterest does not delete anything right away. For 30 days, your account sits in a deactivated state. If you log back in with your email and password at any point during those 30 days, your account reactivates automatically and everything returns — your pins, boards, followers, and saved content all come back as if nothing happened.
This window exists because people sometimes close accounts in frustration and regret the decision later. However, if you do not log back in during the 30 days, Pinterest permanently deletes your account and all associated data after that period ends. There is no way to recover anything after day 30, and you cannot contact Pinterest to restore it.
How to save your pins and boards before closing
If you want to keep a record of your pins or boards, you should save them before you close your account. On the Pinterest website, you can create a private board, move your pins there, and then take screenshots or use a browser extension to download the board as an HTML file or PDF. Some third-party tools allow you to export Pinterest boards, though you should check whether they are still active and whether they require you to grant them access to your account.
The simplest method is to screenshot the boards and pins you want to remember, or to pin them to a different service like a note-taking app or a Google Doc. Pinterest does not offer an official bulk export tool, so manual saving is the most reliable way to preserve your content before deletion.
Difference between deactivating and deleting
Pinterest uses the terms "deactivate" and "delete" somewhat interchangeably, but they mean the same thing in this context: your account closes and your data is scheduled for permanent removal after 30 days. Some older Pinterest help articles refer to "deactivation," while newer ones say "delete" or "close account." Regardless of the label, the outcome is identical — your account goes offline immediately and is gone for good after the 30-day window.
Do not confuse account closure with simply logging out or deleting the app. Logging out or deleting the app keeps your account active; you can log back in anytime. Closing your account through settings is the only way to trigger the deletion process.
What to do if you cannot find the closure option
If you have looked through settings and cannot find a deactivate or close account button, your account type may be different. Business accounts and creator accounts sometimes have the option in a different location. On a business account, check "Account settings" rather than just "Settings," and look for "Close business account" or similar language.
If you still cannot locate it, you can contact Pinterest support through the help center on Pinterest.com. Go to the Help section, search for "close account" or "delete account," and look for the contact support option. Pinterest support can confirm whether your account type allows self-service closure or whether they need to process it manually, though this usually takes longer than doing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after the 30 days are up?
No. Once the 30-day window closes, your account and all its data are permanently deleted. Pinterest does not restore accounts after that point, even if you contact support. If you want to use Pinterest again, you will have to create a new account from scratch.
Will Pinterest delete my account if I just stop using it?
No. Inactive accounts do not automatically close. Your account will remain active indefinitely unless you manually close it through settings. If you want your account gone, you have to initiate the closure yourself.
What happens to pins I saved from other people?
When you close your account, all your saved pins and boards are deleted, including pins you saved from other users. The original pins on other people's boards remain; only your copies and your personal boards disappear.
Can I download all my pins at once?
Pinterest does not offer an official bulk download feature. You can screenshot individual boards or pins, or use third-party export tools if they are available, but there is no built-in way to download everything at once before closing your account.
Do I need to unlink my email or password before closing?
No. Simply closing your account through settings is sufficient. You do not need to change your password, unlink your email, or take any other steps. The account closure process handles everything.