Telegram is a popular messaging app that allows users to create channels to broadcast messages to large audiences. Channels are a great way to build communities and reach people with common interests. However, as a channel admin, you may eventually want to delete a channel you created. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to delete channels on Telegram.
Table of Contents
Reasons To Delete A Telegram Channel
Here are some common reasons you may want to delete a Telegram channel:
- You no longer have time to manage the channel
- Your interests have changed and the channel topic is no longer relevant
- The channel is not gaining traction or has very low subscribers
- You want to take a break from running a channel
- The channel was created by mistake
Deleting a channel you created removes it completely from Telegram. All messages, subscribers, and data associated with the channel will be permanently deleted.
Deleting A Channel On Mobile
To delete a Telegram channel from your mobile device:
- Open the Telegram app and go to the channel you want to delete
- Tap on the channel profile picture or name to open the channel info page
- Tap on the 3-dot menu icon next to the channel name
- Select “Manage Channel”
- Scroll to the bottom and tap on “Delete Channel”
- Confirm by tapping “Delete”
You will have a few seconds to undo deleting the channel. But once confirmed, the channel and all its messages will be removed for you and subscribers.
Deleting A Channel From Desktop
You can also delete a Telegram channel from the desktop app:
- Open Telegram desktop and select the channel you want to delete
- Click on the channel name/image to open channel info
- Click the 3-dot menu next to the channel name
- Choose “Manage Channel”
- Scroll down and click “Delete Channel”
- Confirm deleting the channel
Similar to mobile, you will have a few seconds to undo the action if you change your mind.
What Happens When A Channel Is Deleted
Here is what happens when you delete a Telegram channel:
- The channel is removed completely and permanently
- All messages and files in the channel are erased
- Subscribers will no longer be able to access or view the channel
- The channel name/username becomes available to be reused
- Admins and channel creators will not be able to retrieve any data
So only delete a channel if you are absolutely certain, as there is no way to recover it.
Tips For Deleting Telegram Channels
- Double check you are deleting the correct channel, not one you want to keep
- Let subscribers know in advance that the channel will be deleted
- Export any important data (messages, files) before deleting
- Remove administrators first to prevent others from undeleting
- Delete from desktop instead of mobile for easier confirmation
What To Do If Your Channel Is Deleted
In some cases, Telegram may automatically delete channels for inactivity or violations. Here is what to do if your channel gets unexpectedly deleted:
- Check if you have any recent notifications from Telegram about the deletion
- Contact Telegram support to ask for details or see if the channel can be restored
- If deleted for good, you will need to create a new channel and rebuild your subscriber base
- Make sure to backup your channel data often going forward
Closing Thoughts
Deleting a Telegram channel removes it permanently, so only do so if you are sure. But when the time comes you want to delete your channel, just follow the steps outlined above to remove a channel from both mobile and desktop. Be aware that all messages and subscribers will be erased when deleting a channel, so back up anything important first.
With the growing popularity of Telegram channels, admins should know how to properly manage and delete them if needed. Hopefully this guide gives you a better understanding of how to remove channels you have created. Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions!