How to Delete Your Airbnb Account
You can delete your Airbnb account through your account settings on the website or mobile app. The process takes a few minutes, but Airbnb will ask you to confirm your decision and may ask why you're leaving. Once deleted, your account and all associated data — your profile, reviews, booking history, and saved listings — are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
Before you delete, understand that this is a one-way action. If you have an active booking as a guest or a reservation coming up as a host, you'll need to cancel those first. Airbnb won't let you delete an account with pending transactions or unresolved issues.
Key Takeaways
- You must cancel all active bookings and resolve any open disputes before Airbnb will let you delete your account.
- The deletion process happens in your account settings under "Account" and then "Deactivate account" or "Delete account," depending on your app version.
- After you request deletion, Airbnb may take up to 30 days to fully remove your data from their servers.
- If you only want to take a break without losing your account, you can deactivate it temporarily instead of deleting it permanently.
- Airbnb keeps some records for legal and tax purposes even after deletion, but your personal profile and booking history are removed from the platform.
Steps to Delete Your Account on Desktop
Log into your Airbnb account on a web browser and go to your profile menu in the top right corner. Click on "Account," then scroll down to find "Account and settings" or a similar option depending on your region. Look for a section labeled "Deactivate account" or "Delete account."
Click that option and Airbnb will show you a confirmation screen explaining what will happen. Read through it carefully — this is your final note to back out. You'll be asked to confirm your email address and may be asked to provide a reason for leaving. After you confirm, your account will be marked for deletion.
Steps to Delete Your Account on Mobile
Open the Airbnb app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Go to "Account," then scroll to the bottom of the page. You should see an option for "Deactivate account" or "Delete account." Tap it and follow the same confirmation steps as the desktop version.
The mobile app may show slightly different wording or button placement depending on whether you're using iOS or Android, but the process is the same. If you can't find the delete option, try the desktop version instead — some older app versions don't include the deletion feature.
What Happens to Your Data After Deletion
Your profile, reviews, messages, and booking history are removed from the Airbnb platform within 30 days. Other users won't be able to see your account or any reviews you left. Your saved listings and wishlists disappear. If you were a host, your listings and all guest reviews of your property are also removed.
Airbnb does keep some information for legal reasons — tax records, transaction history, and records of disputes or cancellations may be retained for several years to comply with financial regulations. However, this data is not visible on the platform and is not connected to a working account.
Deactivating Instead of Deleting
If you're not sure you want to leave permanently, you can deactivate your account instead. A deactivated account is hidden from the platform but not deleted. You can reactivate it anytime by logging back in. Your profile, reviews, and booking history stay intact.
Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Airbnb without losing your account history or reviews you've built up. It's also a good option if you're frustrated with a specific issue but might want to return later. To deactivate, follow the same steps as deletion but look for "Deactivate account" instead of "Delete account."
Canceling Bookings Before You Delete
If you have an upcoming reservation as a guest, you must cancel it before deleting your account. Go to "Trips," find the booking, and select "Cancel reservation." Depending on how close the reservation is and the host's cancellation policy, you may lose some or all of your payment.
If you're a host with upcoming reservations, you must cancel those too. This will likely result in cancellation fees and damage to your host rating, but Airbnb won't process account deletion until all active bookings are resolved. If you have a guest currently checked in, you cannot delete your account until their stay ends.
What to Do If Deletion Isn't Working
If the delete button doesn't appear or you get an error message, you likely have an unresolved issue on your account. Common blockers include an active booking, an open dispute with a host or guest, an unpaid balance, or a pending payout. Check your account for any notifications or warnings.
If you can't figure out what's blocking deletion, contact Airbnb Support through the Help Center. Go to "Help," then "Contact us," and describe your situation. Support can tell you what needs to be resolved before deletion is possible. Response times vary, but Airbnb usually replies within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my account after I delete it?
No. Once your account is deleted, it cannot be recovered. Your profile, reviews, and booking history are permanently removed. If you think you might want to use Airbnb again in the future, deactivate instead of delete.
Will hosts or guests still see my reviews after I delete my account?
No. Your reviews are removed along with your account. Hosts and guests who received your reviews will no longer see them on the platform. However, they may have screenshots or records of what you wrote.
How long does it take for my account to be fully deleted?
Airbnb usually removes your account from the platform within 30 days of your deletion request. Some data may be retained longer for legal and tax purposes, but your profile and booking history are gone within that timeframe.
Do I get a refund if I delete my account?
Deletion itself doesn't trigger a refund. If you have an upcoming booking, you must cancel it separately, and refund policies depend on the host's cancellation terms. If you have an unpaid balance or pending payout, those are handled separately from account deletion.
What if I delete my account but want to sign up again later?
You can create a new account with the same email address after deletion is complete. However, you'll start from scratch with no reviews, no booking history, and no saved listings. Hosts may be cautious about new accounts with no history.