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How Do I Permanently Say Goodbye to Pinterest? A Definitive Guide

So, you’re ready to break up with Pinterest? I get it. Maybe the endless stream of DIY projects is overwhelming, or perhaps you’re simply looking to declutter your digital life. Whatever the reason, saying goodbye to Pinterest is a relatively straightforward process, but there are a few nuances you should be aware of. Here’s the definitive guide to deleting your Pinterest account permanently.

The short answer? To unsubscribe from Pinterest, you need to delete your account. Unlike some platforms that offer a simple “unsubscribe” button (which usually just stops emails), Pinterest requires a full account deletion to truly sever ties. Here’s how to do it:

Deleting Your Pinterest Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process is nearly identical whether you’re using the desktop website or the mobile app. I’ll walk you through both:

Deleting Your Account on the Desktop Website:

Log in to your Pinterest account on your computer. This is crucial, obviously!
Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen, and select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
In the left-hand navigation menu, click on “Account Settings”.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page. You’ll see a section titled “Account Changes”. Click on the red “Delete account” button. Be sure you want to proceed, as this action is irreversible.
Pinterest will ask you if you’re sure you want to delete your account, and offer you the option to deactivate instead (we’ll discuss this later). If you’re sure, click “Continue.”
Pinterest may present you with reasons why people leave. You can select one or skip this step by clicking “Delete account.”
They’ll need to verify it’s you. Enter your password in the required field.
Click the big red “Yes, delete account” button. This is your point of no return.

Deleting Your Account on the Mobile App (iOS or Android):

Open the Pinterest app on your smartphone or tablet and log in.
Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
Tap the three dots in the upper right corner to open the options menu.
Select “Settings” from the menu.
Tap “Account Management”
Scroll down and tap “Delete Account.”
Pinterest will again offer you the option to deactivate. If you’re determined to delete, tap “Continue.”
Enter your password when prompted.
Tap “Yes, delete account” to confirm.

Important Considerations Before Deleting:

Irreversible Action: Deleting your Pinterest account is permanent. All your boards, Pins, and followers will be gone. There’s no turning back. Think carefully before taking this step.
Data Loss: You will lose all the content you’ve saved and created on Pinterest. Make sure you’ve downloaded anything you want to keep before deleting your account. Unfortunately, there’s no bulk download option directly from Pinterest, so you’ll need to manually save images and data.
Account Recovery: Once your account is deleted, it cannot be recovered. You’ll have to create a new account from scratch if you ever decide to return to Pinterest.
Timing: It can take a few days for Pinterest to fully process your account deletion request. During this period, your account may still be visible, but it will eventually disappear.
Third-party Apps: If you’ve used your Pinterest account to log in to other apps or websites, you’ll need to update your login information on those platforms before deleting your Pinterest account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unsubscribing From Pinterest

Here are some common questions users have when considering leaving Pinterest:

1. What’s the difference between deleting and deactivating my Pinterest account?

Deactivating your account is like putting it on pause. Your profile becomes invisible to other users, and you won’t receive any emails. However, your data is still stored on Pinterest’s servers. You can reactivate your account at any time by simply logging back in. Deleting your account, on the other hand, permanently removes your profile, boards, and Pins from Pinterest’s servers. This action is irreversible.

2. Can I download my Pinterest data before deleting my account?

While Pinterest doesn’t offer a convenient “download all” button, you can manually save individual Pins, boards, and descriptions. To save an image, simply click on the Pin and then right-click (or long-press on mobile) to save the image to your device. You’ll have to do this individually for each Pin you wish to keep. Consider taking screenshots of your board descriptions if you want to preserve that information.

3. How long does it take for my Pinterest account to be completely deleted?

Pinterest states that it can take up to 14 days for your account to be fully deleted from their system. During this time, your account may still be visible to other users, but it will eventually disappear.

4. What happens to my Pins that others have saved?

Even after you delete your account, Pins that you originally created and that other users have saved to their boards will remain on Pinterest. This is because those Pins have essentially become part of the Pinterest ecosystem. However, the link to your profile will be removed from those Pins.

5. Can I create a new Pinterest account after deleting my old one?

Yes, you can create a new Pinterest account after deleting your old one. You’ll need to use a different email address or phone number if you used the previous one to sign up.

6. I’m only getting too many emails. Can I just unsubscribe from Pinterest emails?

Absolutely! Instead of deleting your account, you can drastically reduce the number of emails you receive from Pinterest. Go to your Settings and then Notifications. From there, you can customize which types of emails you want to receive, or simply turn off all email notifications.

7. What if I only want to delete certain boards, not my entire account?

You can definitely delete individual boards without deleting your whole account. Simply go to the board you want to delete, click on the three dots (…), and select “Edit board”. Then scroll to the bottom and select “Delete”.

8. I accidentally deleted my Pinterest account! Is there any way to recover it?

Unfortunately, no. Once you’ve confirmed the deletion of your Pinterest account, it’s gone for good. There’s no way to recover it, even if you deleted it by mistake. This is why it’s so important to be absolutely sure before proceeding with the deletion process.

9. Will deleting my Pinterest account affect my other social media accounts?

No, deleting your Pinterest account will not affect your other social media accounts, unless you’ve used your Pinterest account to log in to those accounts. If you have, you’ll need to update your login information on those platforms before deleting Pinterest.

10. What happens to my secret boards when I delete my account?

Secret boards, like all other boards and Pins, are permanently deleted when you delete your account. They will not be visible to anyone, including you, after the deletion is complete.

11. Is there a way to temporarily disable my Pinterest account without deleting it?

Yes, as mentioned earlier, you can deactivate your Pinterest account. This effectively hides your profile and content from other users, but keeps your data stored on Pinterest’s servers. You can reactivate it at any time by logging back in.

12. Can I delete my Pinterest business account without affecting my personal account (or vice versa)?

Yes, you can delete a Pinterest business account without affecting your personal account, and vice versa. Each account is treated separately. Make sure you are logged into the correct account before initiating the deletion process.

Leaving Pinterest can feel like a big decision, but hopefully, this guide has equipped you with all the information you need to make an informed choice. Whether you choose to deactivate, delete, or simply adjust your notification settings, you’re now in control of your Pinterest experience! Good luck!