Closing your Pinterest account removes your public profile, pins, and boards from the platform and stops personalized recommendations based on your activity. This guide explains the difference between deactivating and permanently deleting, walks you through the steps on web and mobile, covers what happens to your content and data, and outlines alternatives if you only want to limit visibility or take a short break. If you decide to leave, following these steps carefully helps ensure your account is fully closed.
Deactivate vs. permanently delete
Temporary break: deactivate
Deactivating hides your profile, pins, and boards from other users while preserving your account and data. You can reactivate by signing in again, and Pinterest does not delete your content during this pause. This option is useful if you want a short break or are deciding whether to leave permanently.
Final action: permanent delete
Choosing to delete starts a irreversible removal process. Once deletion completes, your public profile, pins, boards, and visible activity are removed and cannot be restored. Before you proceed, it is important to save any content you want, transfer boards you own, and understand that reactivation will not be possible.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Account state options | Deactivate temporarily or request permanent delete | Platform policy |
| Public visibility after deactivate | Hidden from search and public browsing | Platform behavior |
| Pins and boards visibility after delete | Removed and not recoverable after completion | Platform policy |
| Data retention considerations | Some backend and analytics data may persist per legal obligations | Privacy documentation |
| Reactivation after delete | Not possible; a new account would be required | Platform behavior |
How the process works
Pinterest requires several checks before completing a deletion request to prevent accidental loss. You will be asked to confirm identity, review what will be removed, and choose whether to download a copy of your data. After confirmation, the platform typically enters a short grace period before erasing content, during which you can cancel the request.
Step-by-step: close on web
- Sign in to your Pinterest account on a browser.
- Open Settings by clicking your profile icon.
- Navigate to Privacy and data from the menu.
- Select Account management, then choose Close account.
- Review the prompts, confirm your choice, and complete any requested verification.
Step-by-step: close on iOS and Android
- Open the Pinterest app and sign in if needed.
- Tap your profile icon in the bottom navigation.
- Choose Settings from the menu that appears.
- Tap Privacy and and Security, then Account actions.
- Tap Close account, follow the on-screen confirmations, and complete any required verification steps.
What happens to your pins and boards
Once the deletion process completes, your public pins, secret boards, and collections are removed from search and discovery. Other users will no longer see your content, and links to deleted pins typically return a removed state. Boards you own can be transferred to a collaborator before deletion if you want to preserve community contributions.
Your data and downloads
Pinterest allows you to download a copy of your data before closing, including pins, boards you created, and activity history. If you plan to export content, start the download well in advance, because large accounts may take time to package. After deletion, Pinterest may retain some backend data for legal, security, or analytics purposes as allowed by policy.
Practical alternatives to closing
- Deactivate now and return later without losing your content.
- Adjust privacy settings to limit who can find or interact with your activity.
- Curate boards selectively and archive pins you want to keep without deleting the whole account.
- Limit collaborators and turn off invitations if you want a quieter experience.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Because deletion is irreversible, users sometimes close accounts unintentionally or underestimate the impact on connected apps and advertisers. To avoid surprises, review authorized apps linked to Pinterest, remove or re-save payment methods tied to business tools, and back up any media you want to keep. If you manage business boards, coordinate with team members before closing to avoid disrupting collaborators.