You may want to take a break from Mastodon without permanently losing your profile, followers, and posts. Deactivating your account hides your profile from public view and stops all activity, but preserves your data for later reactivation. This is different from deleting your account, which removes everything permanently after a 30-day grace period. This article explains how to deactivate your Mastodon account, what changes during deactivation, and how to reactivate it when you are ready.
Key Takeaways: Deactivating a Mastodon Account
- Preferences > Account > Account settings: The page where the deactivation option appears at the bottom.
- Deactivation vs. deletion: Deactivation hides your profile and pauses activity; deletion permanently removes your account after 30 days.
- Reactivating: Log in again with your email and password to restore your profile exactly as it was.
What Happens When You Deactivate a Mastodon Account
Deactivating your Mastodon account temporarily removes your profile from the public timeline and search results. Other users cannot see your posts, follow you, or send you direct messages. Your followers list and following list are preserved but hidden. Your posts remain in your instance database and are not deleted. Any scheduled posts or automated actions stop immediately.
Deactivation does not delete your data. Your email address, password, profile picture, header image, bio, and all posts stay on the server. Only the instance admin can see your account in the moderation panel. You will not receive notifications or email updates while deactivated.
Difference Between Deactivation and Deletion
Deletion is a permanent action. When you delete your Mastodon account, a 30-day grace period starts. During this time, you can cancel the deletion by logging in. After 30 days, your account and all associated data are removed from the server. This includes posts, media, followers, and direct messages. Deactivation has no time limit and no data loss. You can stay deactivated for months or years and return to your account intact.
Steps to Deactivate a Mastodon Account on the Web
- Log in to your Mastodon instance
Open your instance URL, such as mastodon.social or your own domain. Enter your email address and password, then click Login. - Open Preferences
Click the gear icon in the right sidebar under your profile name. This opens the Preferences menu. - Go to Account settings
In the left navigation panel, click Account. This page shows your display name, bio, email, and other profile settings. - Scroll to the bottom of the page
Below the Change email and Change password sections, you will see a red section labeled Delete account. - Click the link labeled Deactivate account instead
Directly below the Delete account button, there is a smaller link that says Deactivate account instead. Click this link. - Enter your password to confirm
A dialog box appears asking for your current password. Type your password and click Deactivate.
Steps to Deactivate a Mastodon Account on Mobile (Official App)
- Open the Mastodon app and log in
Launch the official Mastodon app on your iOS or Android device. - Tap the profile icon
Tap your profile picture in the bottom navigation bar to open your profile. - Tap the gear icon to open Preferences
In the top right corner of your profile, tap the gear icon. Then tap Preferences in the menu. - Tap Account
In the Preferences screen, tap Account. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. - Tap Deactivate account instead
Below the Delete account button, tap the link labeled Deactivate account instead. - Enter your password and confirm
Type your current password and tap Deactivate to complete the process.
How to Reactivate a Deactivated Mastodon Account
Reactivating your account is simple. Go to your instance login page and enter your email address and password. Click Login. Mastodon immediately restores your profile to its previous state. Your posts, followers, following list, and all settings are visible again. No waiting period or confirmation email is required.
If you forgot your password, use the Forgot password link on the login page. Mastodon will send a password reset link to your email. After resetting your password, log in to reactivate your account.
What to Avoid When Deactivating a Mastodon Account
Deactivation Does Not Delete Your Data
If your goal is to permanently remove your data from the server, deactivation will not achieve that. Use the Delete account option instead. Deactivation only hides your profile from public view.
Followers Cannot See You During Deactivation
Your followers will not see your posts in their home timeline. They may see your profile as unavailable or suspended. If you plan to return, consider posting a notice before deactivating so your followers know you will be back.
Deactivation Does Not Stop Federation
Your existing posts that were already federated to other instances remain visible on those servers. Deactivation does not remove posts from other instances. Only your own instance hides your profile and stops new federation.
You Cannot Deactivate from the Mobile Web Version
The deactivation option is only available in the full web interface and the official mobile app. If you access Mastodon through a mobile browser, switch to Desktop mode or use the app to find the deactivation link.
Mastodon Account Deactivation vs. Deletion: Key Differences
| Item | Deactivation | Deletion |
|---|---|---|
| Data removal | None | Permanent after 30 days |
| Profile visibility | Hidden from public | Removed |
| Time limit | No limit | 30-day grace period |
| Reactivation | Log in again | Log in within 30 days |
| Posts remain on server | Yes | No |
| Followers preserved | Yes | No |
Deactivation is the right choice when you want to step away temporarily without losing your Mastodon presence. To deactivate, go to Preferences > Account and click Deactivate account instead. To return, simply log in again. For permanent removal, use the Delete account option and confirm the 30-day waiting period.