Deleting your Reddit account is a permanent action, but it’s a straightforward process if you’ve decided to remove your online presence from the platform. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, want to reduce your time online, or simply no longer find the platform engaging, this guide will walk you through exactly how to delete your Reddit account on both desktop and mobile.
Before you proceed with deleting your account, it’s important to understand what this action entails and what you might want to do beforehand.
Things to Consider Before Deleting Your Reddit Account
Deleting your Reddit account is irreversible. Once you go through with the deletion process, your profile will be permanently removed, and you will no longer be able to log in or access any of your account information. Here are a few key points to consider:
- Data Download: Reddit allows you to download a copy of your personal data before you delete your account. This includes your posts, comments, saved data, and account information. If you wish to keep a record of your Reddit activity, you should request a data download before deleting your account.
- Username Anonymization: When you delete your account, your username will be anonymized. This means your username will be replaced with “[deleted]” on all your past posts and comments. While your content will remain on Reddit, it will no longer be directly linked to your personal account.
- Subreddit Unsubscription: Deleting your account does not automatically unsubscribe you from subreddits. While it’s not strictly necessary, you might want to manually unsubscribe from subreddits before deleting your account as a matter of good digital housekeeping.
How to Delete Your Reddit Account on Desktop
Deleting your Reddit account via a desktop browser is a simple process. Follow these steps:
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Go to the Reddit Website and Log In: Open your web browser and navigate to www.reddit.com. Log in to the account you wish to delete using your username and password.
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Access User Settings: In the top right corner of the Reddit website, click on your username to open the dropdown menu. From the menu, select “User Settings.”
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Go to Account Settings: On the User Settings page, you will see a navigation menu on the left-hand side. Click on the “Account” tab.
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Scroll Down to “Delete Account”: Scroll down to the bottom of the “Account” settings page. You will find a red button labeled “Delete Account” at the very bottom.
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Confirmation and Final Deletion: Click on the “Delete Account” button. Reddit will ask you to confirm your decision and may ask for your password again for security purposes. Carefully read the confirmation message. If you are certain you want to delete your account, check the box “I understand that deactivated accounts are not recoverable” and click the final “Delete Account” button.
Alt text: Confirmation prompt for deleting Reddit account on desktop, highlighting the “Delete Account” button and the checkbox for understanding account deactivation is not recoverable.
Your Reddit account is now deleted. You will be logged out, and your profile will no longer be accessible.
How to Delete Your Reddit Account on Mobile (App)
Deleting your Reddit account through the mobile app is also straightforward. The steps are slightly different from the desktop process, but equally easy to follow:
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Open the Reddit App and Log In: Launch the Reddit app on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure you are logged into the account you intend to delete.
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Access User Profile: Tap on your profile icon, usually located in the top left corner of the app. This will open the side drawer menu.
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Go to “Settings”: In the side drawer menu, scroll down and tap on “Settings.”
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Tap on “Account Settings”: Within the “Settings” menu, tap on your username or “Account settings” at the top to access your account preferences.
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Scroll Down to “Delete Account”: Scroll down to the bottom of the “Account settings” page. You will find the “Delete account” option at the bottom.
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Confirmation and Final Deletion: Tap on “Delete account.” The app will present a confirmation screen, reiterating that deletion is permanent. You might be asked to enter your password to confirm your identity. Carefully review the information, and if you are sure you want to proceed, tap the “Delete Account” button to finalize the process.
Alt text: Mobile confirmation screen for deleting Reddit account within the app, emphasizing the “Delete Account” button and the permanent nature of account deletion.
Your Reddit account is now deleted from the mobile app as well.
What Happens After You Delete Your Account?
Once you have completed the deletion process, here’s what you can expect:
- Account Deactivation: Your account is immediately deactivated and inaccessible. You cannot log back in with your credentials.
- Username Anonymization: Your username is replaced with “[deleted]” across all your past content (posts and comments).
- Content Remains: Your posts and comments are not deleted from Reddit. They remain on the platform but are no longer directly attributed to your personal account.
- Permanent Action: Deleting your Reddit account is a permanent action. There is no way to recover your account once it has been deleted. If you wish to use Reddit again in the future, you will need to create a new account.
Deleting your Reddit account is a definitive step to remove your personal profile from the platform. By following these steps, you can confidently delete your account and manage your online presence as you see fit. Remember to consider downloading your data beforehand if you wish to retain a personal archive of your Reddit activity.
