How to Delete ChatGPT Account (Permanently)
You can delete your ChatGPT account permanently, but it’s worth doing a quick checklist first so you don’t lose anything you still want. Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions for deleting via ChatGPT Settings and via the OpenAI Privacy Portal, plus what to do if you can’t access your email or phone.
Before you delete: protect your data and stop charges
If you delete too fast, you can end up losing conversation history you still wanted—or keeping a subscription active. Here’s the order that usually saves the most hassle.
1) Export your ChatGPT data (recommended)
Before deletion, export anything you want to keep (for example, saved chats, prompts, or notes). OpenAI provides a data export flow, typically through the web app.
Quick checklist
- Export data while you can still sign in.
- Download/save the exported file somewhere you can find later.
- If you’re using the mobile app, expect it to route you through a web-based export.
2) Cancel ChatGPT Plus so you don’t keep paying
If you have ChatGPT Plus (or any paid plan), cancel it before you delete your account.
If you want a walkthrough, use: how to cancel chatgpt subscription.
3) Make sure you can verify your identity
Deletion requests typically require verification using the email or phone number linked to your account. Before you start, confirm you still have access to:
- The email address on the account
- The phone number (if added)
How to delete your ChatGPT account from Settings (most common)
This is the self-serve method when you can sign in normally.
Step-by-step (web)
- Go to https://chat.openai.com and sign in.
- Click your profile icon (bottom-left corner on the web).
- Open Settings.
- Go to Account.
- Scroll to the Delete account section.
- Click Delete.
- You’ll be prompted to:
- Type your account email address
- Type the word DELETE
- After the prompt unlocks the action, click Permanently delete my account (wording may vary slightly).
- Confirm the deletion.
Step-by-step (mobile app)
The flow is similar, just with different screen placement.
- Open the ChatGPT app and sign in.
- Tap your profile icon (top-right on most mobile layouts).
- Go to Settings → Account.
- Find the Delete account section and follow the prompts.
Tip if you don’t see “Delete account”
The UI can change. If you can’t find the option, search within Settings for “delete” (if available) or use the Privacy Portal method below.
How to delete your ChatGPT account using the OpenAI Privacy Portal
Use this option when you can’t find the deletion button in your account settings, or when you prefer a formal privacy-request workflow.
Step-by-step (Privacy Portal)
- Visit https://privacy.openai.com.
- Click Make a Privacy Request.
- Select I have a consumer ChatGPT account.
- Choose Delete my ChatGPT account.
- Follow the on-screen verification steps.
OpenAI states that self-serve deletion through the Privacy Portal requires verification via either your account email or linked phone number.
External reference
For the official steps, see OpenAI’s Help Center article: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6378407-how-to-delete-your-account
Worked example: a “do it safely” deletion workflow
Here’s a realistic sequence you can copy.
Scenario
You want to delete your account today, but you have valuable chat history and you subscribed to Plus last month.
Your plan (30–45 minutes)
- Sign in to ChatGPT on the web.
- Export your data (so you can keep your chats).
- Cancel Plus (so you don’t keep paying).
- Return to Settings → Account → Delete account.
- Click Delete, then type:
- Your account email
- DELETE
- Confirm Permanently delete my account.
- Wait for the deletion to complete.
What to write down before you confirm
- The email address you’ll type during the confirmation step.
- Whether you can access that email/phone for verification.
This small prep matters because the confirmation step is designed to prevent accidental deletions.
What happens after you delete (and how long it takes)
After you confirm deletion, OpenAI will erase your data within a set timeframe (OpenAI describes this as up to 30 days). Some limited information may be retained for legal or security reasons.
If you’re deleting because you want your prompts and conversations gone, export first—because once you confirm deletion, you won’t be able to “undelete” your chat history.
If you can’t access your email or phone number
If you’re locked out of the account’s email or phone, deletion can be harder because identity verification is required.
What you can do
- Try to recover access to your email/phone first.
- Then re-attempt deletion either from Settings or via Privacy Portal.
If you’re stuck, your best path is still the Privacy Portal method, since it’s designed to handle consumer deletion requests with verification.
Common problems and fixes
“I can’t find the Delete account button”
- UI changes happen. Check Settings → Account and scroll carefully.
- If it’s still missing, use the Privacy Portal approach instead.
“The Permanently delete button won’t unlock”
That usually means you didn’t match the required confirmation inputs. Double-check:
- You typed the correct account email
- You typed the word DELETE exactly as prompted
“I deleted but still see something in my app”
Some cleanup can take time. If you still see remnants immediately after deletion, give the account a little time to fully process. Exporting data beforehand is the safest route if you’re switching providers.
Want to switch AI providers instead?
If you’re deleting because you don’t like the service, you might want to compare alternatives before you lose history. You can also check other guides in the ChatGBT library:
If ChatGPT has been frustrating lately, it can also help to troubleshoot first:
FAQ
How to delete ChatGPT account permanently?
To permanently delete, sign in to ChatGPT, go to Settings → Account, then find Delete account and confirm using the required prompts (your email and the word DELETE). If you can’t complete deletion in Settings, use the OpenAI Privacy Portal and submit a deletion request.
Can I delete my ChatGPT account from the mobile app?
Yes. Open the ChatGPT app, go to your profile icon, then Settings → Account and locate the Delete account section. You’ll still need to confirm the deletion with the on-screen verification prompts.
What should I do before deleting my ChatGPT account?
Export any conversations or data you want to keep, and cancel any active ChatGPT Plus subscription first. Also ensure you still have access to the email or phone number linked to the account for verification.
How long does account deletion take?
OpenAI indicates deletion is processed within up to 30 days after confirmation. Some limited information may be retained for legal/security reasons.
What if I can’t access my account email or phone number?
Deletion requests typically require verifying the identity using the email or phone number linked to the account. If you can’t verify, start by restoring access to those credentials, then retry deletion through the Privacy Portal.
Will canceling Plus delete my account?
No. Canceling a subscription stops billing, but it doesn’t automatically delete your account or remove your conversation data. You’ll need to run the deletion flow separately.
