How to deactivate your Airbnb account
You can close your Airbnb account through your account settings on the website or mobile app. The process takes a few minutes and is permanent — once you deactivate, you cannot recover the account or any associated data. Airbnb will ask you to confirm your choice and may ask why you are leaving, but you can skip that question.
Before you deactivate, settle any outstanding reservations or payments. If you are a host with active listings, you will need to cancel those first. If you are a guest with an upcoming reservation, cancelling your account will not automatically cancel your booking — you must handle that separately to avoid being charged or penalized by the host.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivating your account is permanent and cannot be undone, so read any confirmation emails or booking history you want to keep first.
- You must cancel all active reservations (as a guest) and all active listings (as a host) before you can close your account.
- Any outstanding payments or refunds will be processed to your original payment method before your account closes.
- Your profile, reviews, and messages will be removed from the Airbnb platform once deactivation is complete.
Steps to deactivate on desktop or mobile
On the Airbnb website, click the profile icon in the top right corner and select Account. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for a link that says Deactivate my account or Close account — the exact wording varies by region. Click that link.
On the Airbnb mobile app, open your profile, tap Account, scroll to the bottom, and tap the deactivation option. You will be taken through a confirmation screen that explains the consequences. Read it carefully, then confirm that you want to proceed. Airbnb may ask you to select a reason for leaving — this is optional and does not affect whether your account closes.
After you confirm, your account will be deactivated when ready. You will receive a confirmation email. Do not delete this email; keep it for your records in case you need proof that your account was closed.
What happens to your data and history
Once your account is deactivated, your profile page disappears from Airbnb's platform. Any reviews you wrote as a guest remain on listings, but they will no longer show your name or profile picture — they will appear as "A guest" instead. Reviews written about you as a host are also kept but similarly anonymized.
Your messages with hosts or guests are deleted. Your booking history is removed from your account, though Airbnb retains records for legal and tax purposes on their end. If you need copies of your booking confirmations, invoices, or receipts before you close your account, read them first — you will not be able to access them after deactivation.
Cancelling active reservations before you close
If you have an upcoming stay booked as a guest, you must cancel that reservation before deactivating your account. Go to Trips in your account menu, find the reservation, and select Cancel reservation. Follow Airbnb's cancellation policy for that listing — depending on how close the date is and the host's policy, you may receive a refund or forfeit your payment.
If you are a host with active listings, you must remove all of them before closing your account. Go to Listings, select each listing, and choose Delist or Close listing. If you have reservations booked on those listings, you will need to cancel them first or work with guests to reschedule. Cancelling a host reservation may result in penalties depending on your cancellation policy and how close the date is.
Handling outstanding payments and refunds
If you are owed a refund from a cancelled reservation or a guest dispute, Airbnb will process it to the payment method on file — usually a credit card or bank account. This happens automatically after the refund is approved; you do not need to do anything. Check that your payment information is current before you deactivate, so the refund reaches you.
If you owe Airbnb money — for example, a resolution centre penalty or unpaid service fees — your account will not close until that balance is settled. You will see a message telling you what you owe and how to pay it. Pay through your account settings, and then you can proceed with deactivation.
If you want to reactivate later
Airbnb does not allow you to reactivate a closed account. If you change your mind and want to use Airbnb again, you will need to create a new account with the same email address or a different one. Your old reviews, booking history, and host ratings will not transfer to the new account.
If you are closing because of a specific problem — a dispute with a host, a billing issue, or a concern about your account — consider contacting Airbnb support first. They may be able to resolve the issue without you having to close your account permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deactivate my account if I have an active reservation?
No. You must cancel all active reservations as a guest or host before you can close your account. Cancel the reservation first through your Trips or Listings menu, then proceed with deactivation.
Will deactivating my account cancel my upcoming bookings?
No. Deactivating your account does not automatically cancel reservations. You must cancel them manually before you close your account, or the host may charge you for the stay.
Can I get my account back after I deactivate it?
No. Deactivation is permanent. You cannot reactivate a closed account. If you want to use Airbnb again, you will need to create a new account.
What happens to my reviews after I close my account?
Your reviews remain on the platform but will show as written by "A guest" instead of your name. Hosts cannot see who wrote the review, but the review text stays visible to other users.
How long does it take for my account to close?
Your account closes when ready after you confirm deactivation. You will receive a confirmation email right away. Your profile disappears from the platform within a few minutes.