How to delete your ChatGPT account, and what happens to your data

The short answer

As of November 5, 2026, OpenAI's help center says you can delete your ChatGPT account on the web from Settings, then Account, then Delete, or in the iPhone and Android apps from Settings, then Data controls. It says deletion is permanent and prevents using the account for OpenAI services, including ChatGPT and the API.

OpenAI says it deletes your data within 30 days, though it may keep a limited set of data longer where the law requires or permits. It also says deleting the account cancels subscriptions billed directly by ChatGPT but not subscriptions bought through Apple's App Store or Google Play.

Before you delete

These points come from OpenAI's help center article on deleting a ChatGPT account, as of November 5, 2026.

• Subscriptions: OpenAI says deleting cancels subscriptions billed directly by ChatGPT, but does not cancel Apple App Store or Google Play subscriptions. It says to cancel those in the store first.
• Ads account: OpenAI says that if the same email address is used to access an Ads account, deleting your ChatGPT account may block you from managing the Ads account and may not pause campaigns. It says to pause campaigns and make sure another authorized user has access, or to contact Support.
• Workspace accounts: OpenAI says self-service deletion is not available in ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, Edu or ChatGPT for Healthcare workspaces, and that people in those workspaces should contact their organization.
• If you only want to clear chats, you do not need to close the account. See our guide to deleting your ChatGPT history.

How to delete your account on the web

OpenAI's help center gives these steps as of November 5, 2026.

• Go to Settings, then Account.
• Next to Delete account, select Delete.
• Enter the email address or phone number on the account and type DELETE.
• Select Permanently delete my account.

How to delete your account on iPhone

OpenAI's help center gives these steps for the iOS app.

• Open your account settings, then select Data controls.
• Select Delete account.
• If you have an Apple subscription, review the warning on screen or use Manage subscriptions.
• Confirm by selecting Delete account.

How to delete your account on Android

OpenAI's help center gives these steps for the Android app.

• Open Settings from your profile menu, then select Data controls.
• Select Delete OpenAI account. In older app versions the option is labeled Delete Account.
• Confirm, and follow any sign-in or verification prompts. OpenAI says completing a sign-in prompt alone does not confirm deletion.
• If the app returns you to your chats without a confirmation, OpenAI says to use the Privacy Portal instead.

If you cannot sign in: the Privacy Portal

OpenAI's help center says you can use its Privacy Portal if you cannot sign in.

• Select Make a Privacy Request, then I have a consumer ChatGPT account, then Delete my ChatGPT account.
• Complete verification. OpenAI says you must verify the email address or phone number linked to the account.
• If you cannot verify either, OpenAI says to contact Support for an ownership review.

What deletion removes, and what it does not

As of November 5, 2026, OpenAI's help center says the following.

• Timing: OpenAI deletes your data within 30 days, except that it may retain a limited set of data for longer where required or permitted by law.
• Chats: deleted chats are permanently removed within 30 days unless they were already de-identified or are kept for security or legal reasons. OpenAI says deleted chats cannot be recovered.
• Reactivation: OpenAI says a deleted account cannot be reactivated.
• Sign-in method: OpenAI says deleting an account does not let you change your sign-in method.

Can you use the same email or phone number again?

OpenAI's deletion article, as of November 5, 2026, says the following.

• Email: you can create a new account with the same email address after 30 days if the previous account was fully deleted rather than deactivated.
• Email limits: an email address previously tied to an Enterprise organization, or disabled for a terms or policy violation, cannot be reactivated.
• Phone: after a permanent deletion, the phone number is removed after 30 days and can be reused, unless the account was disabled for a violation.
• API phone verification: OpenAI says deleting an account does not reset the limit of up to three accounts per phone number for API verification.

Related guides

Our guide to whether you can get banned from ChatGPT covers what OpenAI's terms say about suspensions and appeals. To remove chats without closing the account, see our guide to how to delete ChatGPT history.