How to Delete a Reddit Account

This article explains how to delete your Reddit account, including some tips for what to do if you really just want to take a break.

How Do I Permanently Delete My Reddit Account?

You can permanently delete your Reddit account at any time through the Reddit website or the app. This is a permanent action, and your account is immediately removed as soon as you finish the process.

Here’s how to permanently delete your Reddit account on the website:

1. Click your user icon on the Reddit website.

2. Click User Settings.

3. Click Delete Account. You may be prompted to provide your username and password, or if you're logged in through a third-party app such as Google, you may need to create a password before proceeding.

4. Check the box next to I understand that deleted accounts aren’t recoverable, then click DELETE.

How to Delete a Reddit Account on Android

You can also delete your Reddit account directly through the iOS or Android app on your phone or tablet if you prefer to use the app over the website. This process is also immediate and irreversible, so only delete your Reddit account if you’re sure that’s what you want to do.

Here’s how to delete your Reddit account through the Android app:

1. Tap your user icon in the Reddit app.

2. Tap Settings.

3. Tap Delete account.

4. Tap Yes, delete.

How to Temporarily Deactivate a Reddit Account

Some websites and apps, like Twitter, allow you to temporarily deactivate an account to take a break, but there is no way to do so with Reddit. The only way to deactivate an account is to delete it, and deleting a Reddit account is permanent.

Additionally, deleting your Reddit account doesn’t actually delete any of your posts, it just deletes your profile and replaces your username with [Deleted]. If you want to delete your Reddit posts in addition to your account, you need to delete each individual post or use a plugin that replaces all of your posts with blank or placeholder text.

If you want to take a break from Reddit, there are some options that don’t involve deleting your account. For example, you might consider:

• Removing the app from your phone, or disabling notifications. If your goal is to take a break from social media, removing social media apps from your phone, or disabling notifications, can help break the habit of constantly checking in.
• Manually switching off your online status. If you're having trouble with people messaging you, hiding your online status will prevent them from seeing you're online.
• Blocking users if they are harassing or bothering you. If other users are harassing you, you can get some relief by reporting them to Reddit and then blocking them.
• Changing your chat and messaging settings so that nobody can send you chat requests or private messages. If you're feeling overwhelmed with people messaging you even if you appear offline, you can set it so nobody can send you messages on Reddit.