How to Cancel Mastodon Server
Deletion is straightforward through your server's settings. Your account data is removed immediately, though posts may remain cached on federated servers for days or weeks.
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Quick Facts
- Cancel online?
- Yes
- Pause option?
- No
- Refund policy
- Mastodon is free, so there are no refunds associated with account deletion.
- After cancellation
- Account data is deleted from your home server immediately. Posts cached on federated servers may persist for days or weeks before deletion propagates.
Cancellation Steps
Go directly to Mastodon Server cancellation pageSign in to your Mastodon server
Visit your specific instance (e.g. mastodon.social) and log in with your credentials.
Open account settings
Click the menu icon or profile picture and select 'Preferences' or 'Settings' from the dropdown.
Find the deletion option
Scroll to 'Account' or 'Dangerous Zone' and select 'Delete account' for permanent removal.
Confirm deletion
Re-enter your password to confirm. Your account becomes inaccessible immediately and is fully processed within 24 hours.
Tips & Things to Know
- Export your data archive before deletion to keep a permanent record of your posts and followers.
- Use 'Migrate account' instead if you want to switch servers whilst keeping your followers and identity.
- Your posts may remain cached on other servers for days or weeks even after deletion.
Your Consumer Rights
- UK: Data Protection Act 2018 grants you the right to request deletion of your personal data.
- GDPR and equivalents in other regions require deletion within specified timeframes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I delete my Mastodon account at any time?
- Yes. There is no lock-in period. Deletion is immediate and irreversible.
- Will I lose my followers if I delete my account?
- Yes. Use 'Migrate account' instead if you want to keep your followers and move to a different server.
- What happens to my posts after deletion?
- Posts are removed from your home server immediately. Copies on other federated servers may persist for days or weeks, marked as deleted.
- How long does account deletion take?
- Your account is inaccessible immediately. Full processing across the network takes up to 24 hours.
- What is the difference between deleting and migrating?
- Deletion removes your account permanently. Migration transfers it to another server whilst preserving followers and posts.