How to cancel your Airbnb account

To cancel your Airbnb account, log in to your account on the Airbnb website or app, go to your Account settings, select "Account" from the menu, scroll down to find "Deactivate my account," and click it. Airbnb will ask you to confirm your decision and may ask why you're leaving. After you confirm, your account will be deactivated when ready, though Airbnb keeps your data for a set period in case you want to reactivate it later.

The process takes less than five minutes. You do not need to contact Airbnb support unless something goes wrong during deactivation. If you have an active reservation as a guest or a booking as a host, you will not be able to deactivate your account until those reservations are resolved — either completed or cancelled.

Key Takeaways

  • You can deactivate your Airbnb account through Account settings on the website or app without contacting support.
  • Active reservations as a guest or host must be completed or cancelled before you can deactivate your account.
  • Airbnb stores your deactivated account data for a period of time, so you can reactivate the account later if you change your mind.
  • Deactivation happens when ready once you confirm, and you will no longer appear in search results or be able to book or host.
  • If you want your data permanently deleted rather than stored, you will need to request deletion through Airbnb's data removal process.

What happens when you deactivate your account

When you deactivate your Airbnb account, your profile disappears from the platform. You will no longer be able to book stays as a guest, and if you are a host, your listings will no longer appear in search results. Any messages you have sent or received remain visible to other users for a limited time, though they cannot contact you through the platform after deactivation.

Your review history and ratings stay on the platform even after deactivation. Other users can still see reviews you left and reviews left about you, but they cannot click through to your profile. This is by design — Airbnb keeps review history so that the feedback remains useful to other travelers and hosts.

Reactivating your account after deactivation

If you deactivate your account and later change your mind, you can reactivate it by logging back in with your original email and password. Airbnb stores deactivated accounts for a set period, and reactivation restores your profile, review history, and host information if you were a host. The exact length of time Airbnb holds deactivated accounts before permanent deletion is not publicly specified, so if you think you might return, reactivate sooner rather than later.

Reactivation is instantaneous — as soon as you log in, your profile becomes active again and your listings (if you are a host) return to search results. You do not lose any of your history or information during the deactivation period.

Cancelling a reservation before deactivating

If you have an upcoming stay booked as a guest, you must cancel that reservation before you can deactivate your account. Go to "Trips" in your account menu, find the reservation, and select "Cancel reservation." Airbnb's cancellation policy determines whether you receive a refund — this depends on the host's cancellation policy and how close you are to the check-in date. Cancelling does not affect your ability to deactivate; it straightforward removes the active booking that blocks deactivation.

If you are a host with active bookings, you must wait until those guests check out or cancel their reservations. You cannot deactivate your account while someone is scheduled to stay at your property. If you need to deactivate urgently and have upcoming bookings, you will need to cancel those reservations first, which may trigger cancellation fees or penalties depending on your host cancellation policy.

Requesting permanent data deletion

Deactivation is not the same as permanent deletion. If you want Airbnb to remove your personal data entirely rather than store it, you need to submit a separate data deletion request. This is done through Airbnb's privacy settings or by contacting Airbnb support directly and requesting deletion under data privacy laws like GDPR (if you are in the European Union) or CCPA (if you are in California).

When you request permanent deletion, Airbnb will remove your personal information — name, email, payment methods, phone number, and communication history. However, your reviews and ratings may remain on the platform without your name attached, because they are part of the historical record that helps other users. The deletion process can take several weeks, and Airbnb may ask you to confirm your request before proceeding.

Troubleshooting deactivation problems

If you see a message that you cannot deactivate your account, the most common reason is an active reservation. Check both your "Trips" section (if you are a guest) and your "Listings" section (if you are a host) for any bookings that have not yet been completed. Cancel or wait for those reservations to finish, then try deactivating again.

If you have no active reservations and still cannot deactivate, contact Airbnb support through the Help Center. Explain that you are trying to deactivate your account and describe what message you are seeing. Support can usually resolve the issue within one business day. In rare cases, account holds related to payment disputes or policy violations may prevent deactivation until those issues are resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deactivate my account if I have a pending payout?

Yes. Pending payouts do not block deactivation. Airbnb will still send you any money owed after you deactivate, though it may take longer to process. Make sure your payment method is current before you deactivate so the payout goes through.

Will my reviews disappear when I deactivate?

No. Your reviews stay on the platform, but they will no longer show your profile name or picture. Other users can still read what you wrote, but they cannot click to your profile or contact you.

How long does Airbnb keep my data after I deactivate?

Airbnb does not publicly state an exact timeframe, but deactivated accounts are typically held for several months before permanent deletion. If you think you might return, reactivate within a few months to be safe.

What if I deactivate by mistake?

Log back in with your email and password, and your account will reactivate when ready. Your profile, reviews, and booking history will all return. There is no penalty for reactivating.

Do I lose money if I deactivate as a host?

Deactivation itself does not cost money, but cancelling active bookings may trigger cancellation fees depending on your host cancellation policy. Any earnings already paid out to you remain yours.