There are many reasons why you may want to delete a WhatsApp account. Either because you've created a new account and don't plan to reuse the old one, or simply because the person who owns the account won't use it anymore.
It is also likely that you have decided to switch to an alternative messaging app to get rid of Facebook's services once and for all.
Whatever the reason, the deleting a WhatsApp account is a simple process that anyone can perform. To do this, you just need to follow a series of steps.
The latest version of the WhatsApp app on an Android mobile.
Delete your WhatsApp account step by step
To delete a WhatsApp account you need access the application directly from the WhatsApp app, on a mobile phone to which the account to be deleted is associated.
Therefore, keep in mind that unlike what happens when you delete an Instagram account, it is not possible to do it from your computer.
On the other hand, it is also useful to remember that WhatsApp allows you to change the phone number of the account without having to delete it.
Said this, the steps to permanently delete or deactivate a WhatsApp account are the following:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your mobile.
- Go to Settings / Accounts / Delete my account
- Enter the phone number associated with the account and tap the "Delete my account" button.
That's all. By following this simple procedure, the WhatsApp account will have been deleted. Later, if you wish, you can create a new one.
What happens if i delete my WhatsApp account?
Before deleting a WhatsApp account, keep in mind the consequences of this process. On its official support website, WhatsApp explains what happens when an account is deleted or deactivated so permanent.
First of all, you need to remember that account information such as profile picture or username will be removed. We will also be removed from groups and the message history will disappear from both the phone and the iCloud backup - if we use an iPhone - and Google Drive - if we are Android users.
Personal information shared with other Facebook platforms is also deleted.
On the other hand, WhatsApp explains that it will not be possible to regain access to the account in the future and that the data may not begin to be erased before 90 days have passed since the start of the erasing process, as this data can be used in the event of software failure, data loss or natural disaster.
However, during this period the information will not be available to the user.
Finally, the WhatsApp documentation states that information can remain in company databases a due to legal problems, violation of the terms of use or prevention of damage. However, the data will be made anonymous, through a process of disconnecting personal identifiers from the data.
Is it possible to delete or temporarily disable the WhatsApp account?
Unlike other messaging platforms and social networks, WhatsApp does not allow you to temporarily disable or delete an account in case you want to take a break from the application.
This, however, does not mean that they are not there alternative that allow us to temporarily stop using WhatsApp. Are the following:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your mobile: The most effective option if you want to stop using WhatsApp temporarily without having to delete your account is to uninstall the application. Therefore, you will be able to continue receiving messages but you will not see them until you reinstall the app and access it.
- Disable notifications: a slightly less drastic but equally effective measure to temporarily detach from WhatsApp is to disable app notifications. This way you will only be able to see the messages when you decide to open the app, but the notifications won't bother you anymore.
- Use third-party apps to disable WhatsApp - you may you don't want to uninstall WhatsApp from your phone, but you still want to temporarily stop using the app. To do this, you can use an application such as Block apps, which allows you to temporarily keep the applications you choose blocked. It also gives you the option to set block times for apps.
We don't know if sooner or later WhatsApp will give the possibility to "take a break" of the application, through a function to temporarily deactivate our account. In the meantime, you can use any of the options mentioned above.
