Author
LoansJagat Team
Read Time
5 Min
12 Jun 2025
Deactivating a PhonePe account means permanently closing your digital wallet and unlinking all bank and UPI services from the app.
To understand how to deactivate a PhonePe account, meet Sofia, a travel blogger who recently moved to Europe for a year-long trip. Since PhonePe doesn’t work internationally, and she prefers using local apps abroad, she decided to close her Indian digital wallets for security.
Before doing so, she ensures her money is withdrawn:
Item | Amount (₹) |
PhonePe Wallet Balance | 600 |
Linked Bank Refunds | 1,000 |
Cashback Pending | 400 |
Total to Withdraw | 2,000 |
Whether you're relocating or simplifying finances, knowing how to deactivate your PhonePe account is essential. Always withdraw remaining funds and complete any pending transactions before you proceed. That’s how to deactivate a PhonePe account smartly!
Before diving into the steps, let’s look at why someone might need to deactivate their PhonePe account through Arjun's story.
Arjun, a freelance designer, had many UPI apps. After losing his second phone and hearing about a data leak, he decided to use just one app for safety and simplicity.
So, Arjun chose to clean up his digital clutter, and the first step was learning how to deactivate his PhonePe account securely.
Before proceeding, he checked his balance and cashback:
Item | Amount (₹) |
350 | |
Pending Cashback | 150 |
Linked Bank Refunds | 500 |
Total to Withdraw | 1,000 |
Now that he understood how to deactivate the PhonePe account, Arjun followed the app steps and ensured his money was safe. If you're in a similar situation, knowing how to deactivate your PhonePe account can help you stay organised and secure.
Before you go through the process, it’s important to double-check a few things, just like Karan did.
Karan, a college student, was planning to delete unused apps from his phone, starting with PhonePe. But before learning how to deactivate the PhonePe account, he realised he needed to settle a few things to avoid any future inconvenience.
Item | Action Taken |
Wallet Balance (₹450) | Transferred to his savings account |
Pending Transactions | Waited for a refund of ₹250 |
Unlinked both primary and secondary | |
Cashback Offers | Used the remaining cashback on a recharge |
Cancelled all active subscriptions |
By taking these steps, Karan ensured a smooth experience. He learned that how to deactivate a PhonePe account isn’t just about submitting a request, it’s also about clearing your digital footprint.
So if you're wondering how to deactivate a PhonePe account the right way, start by checking these boxes just like Karan did.
Step 1: Open the PhonePe App
To begin the process of learning how to deactivate a PhonePe account, open the PhonePe app on your smartphone. Ensure you're connected to the internet to avoid interruptions.
Step 2: Go to the Profile Section
Tap on your profile icon, located at the top-left or top-right corner of the screen. This section holds all your account settings and personal details.
Step 3: Access Help & Support
Scroll down and select the Help option. This will take you to PhonePe’s support page, where you can find FAQs and initiate support requests.
Step 4: Submit a Deactivation Request
Search for “Account Deactivation” or similar. While there is no direct "Deactivate" button, you can raise a request through customer support or use the in-app chat feature.
Step 5: Verify Your Identity
As part of how to deactivate a PhonePe account, you’ll be asked to confirm your identity. This may involve answering security questions or verifying linked details.
Step 6: Wait for Confirmation
After submitting your request, PhonePe will send a confirmation via SMS or email. The process may take a few days, so keep checking the Help section for updates.
Step 7: Final Check and Clean-Up
Once deactivated, make sure all your cards, bank accounts, and personal data are removed. This final step ensures your data privacy is maintained.
Now you know exactly how to deactivate your PhonePe account securely and thoroughly!
Let’s understand the outcome of deactivation through the story of Meera.
Meera, a software engineer, was planning a digital detox for a few months. To focus on her well-being, she decided to pause most online activities, starting with learning how to deactivate her PhonePe account. She wanted to be sure she wouldn’t lose anything important during the process.
Item | Action Taken |
Downloaded the last 6 months' PDF | |
Wallet Balance (₹300) | Transferred to her bank account |
Linked Bank Account | Unlinked from PhonePe |
UPI Autopay Subscriptions | Cancelled manually |
After submitting her request and learning exactly how to deactivate the PhonePe account, here’s what changed:
So, if you’re like Meera, understanding how to deactivate a PhonePe account prepares you to do it smartly, without losing control of your money or data.
Neha, a freelance writer, felt stressed by too many payment messages and didn’t use PhonePe much. She wanted to delete it but later found easier ways to fix the problem without fully closing her account.
Alternative Option | Action Taken |
Uninstalling the App | Removed it from her phone temporarily |
Disabling Notifications | Turned off all alerts in phone settings |
Unlinking Bank Accounts | Removed all saved bank and card details |
Pausing UPI Services | Disabled UPI ID from her bank's app |
Privacy Settings | Limited access to contacts and SMS |
Through this, Neha found peace of mind without going through how to deactivate PhonePe entirely. If you’re not ready for full account closure, these alternatives might help you delay—or avoid—the need to figure out how to deactivate PhonePe at all.
When learning how to deactivate a PhonePe account, it's essential to understand how it affects your linked services like bill payments, UPI mandates, and subscriptions.
For instance, Rishi is a small business owner. He decided to stop using PhonePe after switching to another UPI platform better suited to his accounting software. But before finalising how to deactivate the PhonePe account, he realised many services were tied to it, like automatic electricity bill payments and EMI debits.
Linked Service | Action Taken |
Electricity Bill AutoPay | Disabled via PhonePe UPI mandates |
EMI Auto Debit | Shifted to the bank account directly |
OTT Subscription (₹149/mo) | Cancelled and switched to card payment |
Updated payment method in the provider’s app |
Rishi’s case shows why it’s vital to audit your linked services before executing how to deactivate the PhonePe account.
Understanding how to deactivate a PhonePe account is essential for anyone looking to take a break from digital payments or protect their financial privacy. Whether you're moving abroad, switching to a different UPI app, or simply reducing the number of apps on your phone, deactivating your account is a smart step when done carefully.
As we've seen through real-life examples, taking a few precautions first, withdrawing your wallet balance, unlinking your bank accounts, cancelling any active subscriptions, and saving important transaction history is crucial. Skipping these steps could lead to inconvenience later, especially if you need access to old payment records or pending refunds.
1. Can I deactivate my PhonePe account permanently?
Yes, you can. Follow the in-app steps under Help & Support to learn how to deactivate your PhonePe account permanently through customer service.
2. Is there a direct option to deactivate the PhonePe account?
No, currently there's no direct button. You must request support. Refer to the guide on how to deactivate the PhonePe account via the Help section.
3. What should I do before deactivating my PhonePe account?
Withdraw wallet balance, cancel UPI mandates, and unlink bank accounts. These are essential steps in how to deactivate a PhonePe account properly.
4. Can I reactivate my PhonePe account later?
Yes, just log in with your registered number and complete verification to reactivate the account.
5. Will I lose my transaction history after deactivation?
Yes, once deactivated, you can't access past transactions. Save them beforehand when following how to deactivate the PhonePe account.
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LoansJagat Team
We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?
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