How to Reactivate a Pinterest Account

Thinking about jumping back into Pinterest after some time away? Good news: reactivating your account is usually a simple process. This guide will walk you through the exact steps, help you troubleshoot common issues, and give you a simple game plan for what to do once you're back online.

Before You Reactivate: The Difference Between Deactivated and Deleted

First, let’s clear up the most important detail: whether your account was deactivated or permanently deleted. How you proceed and what's possible really comes down to this distinction.

Deactivated Accounts: Your Profile on Pause

Think of deactivation as putting your account into hibernation. When you deactivate your account, Pinterest effectively hides your profile and all your content from public view, but it keeps all of your data safe and sound behind the scenes. This is a temporary measure designed for users who want to take a break without losing years of work.

• Is it reversible? Yes, 100%.
• What happens to your Pins and Boards? They are all safe. Once you reactivate, your profile, Pins, boards, and followers will be restored exactly as you left them.
• Is there a time limit? No. You can take a break for weeks, months, or even years, and your deactivated account will be waiting for you.

Essentially, deactivating is the “I need a break” button. Everything is preserved, just invisible to the public until you decide to return.

Permanently Deleted Accounts: The Point of No Return

Permanent deletion is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the “I’m done with Pinterest forever” option. When you choose to permanently delete your account, Pinterest gives you a 14-day grace period. During this window, you can change your mind and reactivate it using the exact same steps you’d use for a deactivated account.

However, once those 14 days are up, the action is irreversible.

• Is it reversible? Only within the first 14 days after deletion.
• What happens after 14 days? Your account, username, public profile, Pins, boards, and all associated data are wiped from Pinterest’s servers for good. There is no way for Pinterest support or anyone else to get it back.
• What if I want that username again? You might be able to claim it on a new account, but all of your old followers and content will be gone.

If you're unsure which one you chose, simply try to log in. If your account was deleted more than two weeks ago, your login attempt will likely fail, showing that the account no longer exists.

How to Reactivate Your Pinterest Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to get your profile back? As long as your account was only deactivated (or deleted within the last 14 days), the process is just like logging in normally.

Step 1: Go to the Pinterest Login Page

Open your web browser and navigate to pinterest.com/login, or open the Pinterest mobile app on your phone or tablet.

Step 2: Enter Your Credentials

You’ll see the standard login prompt. Enter the email address and password that you used for the account you want to reactivate.

Step 3: Click "Log In"

This is the final step. Instead of seeing your feed, Pinterest will recognize that your account is deactivated and will automatically begin the reactivation process. You might receive an email confirming that your account has been reactivated. And that's it - you're back in!

Heads up: It might take a few minutes for all of your Pins, boards, and follower counts to reappear. If things look empty at first, just give it a little time. Refresh the page after five or ten minutes, and everything should be restored.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Reactivation Isn't Working

Sometimes, getting back into an old account comes with a few bumps. Here are solutions to the most common problems people run into.

"I Forgot My Password."

This is easily the most common issue. If you can't remember your password, don't worry. On the login page, click the "Forgot your password?" link right below the password field. You’ll be asked to enter the email address associated with your account. Pinterest will then send you an email with a secure link to reset your password. Once you've created a new password, you can use it to log in and reactivate your account.

"I Can't Access the Email Account Anymore."

This is trickier. Without access to the email address on file, you can't receive the password reset link. Before giving up, try these two things:

1. Try Logging in with Google or Facebook: Did you ever link your Pinterest account to your Google or Facebook profile? If so, you might be able to log in with a single click by selecting "Continue with Google" or "Continue with Facebook" on the login page. This bypasses the need for a password entirely.
2. Contact Pinterest Support: If you never linked a social account, your last option is to contact Pinterest's Help Center. To be honest, your chances here are slim, as they have strict security policies to prevent unauthorized access. However, if you can provide enough information to prove you own the account, they may be able to help.

"I Can't Find the Password Reset Email."

If you requested a password reset but haven’t seen an email, follow these steps:

• Check your junk or spam folder. This is where automated emails often end up.
• Check other tabs in your inbox. If you use Gmail, look in the "Social" and "Promotions" tabs.
• Wait a bit. Sometimes, there can be a delay of a few minutes. Give it up to 15 minutes before trying again.
• Search your inbox. Do a quick search for emails from "Pinterest" to make sure you didn't miss it.

"My Account Was Permanently Deleted Ages Ago. Can I Recover It?"

Unfortunately, no. If your account was deleted more than the 14-day grace period, all your data is permanently gone. You can create a new account (even with the old username, if it hasn't been claimed), but you'll be starting from scratch - no Pins, no boards, and no followers from your old profile.

Now That You're Back: Your 4-Step Relaunch Plan

Welcome back! Pinterest has likely evolved since you last used it. Jumping back in without a plan can feel chaotic. Instead of just picking up where you left off, take an hour to reset your strategy for success today.

1. Conduct a Quick Profile Audit

Your profile is the first thing people see. Does it still reflect you or your brand's mission?

• Profile picture: Is your logo or headshot current and high-quality?
• Display name and username: Are they optimized with keywords relevant to your niche?
• Bio: Have you clearly stated who you are and what kind of value you provide? Is your call to action still relevant?
• Website Link: Make sure your URL is correct and leads to a live, relevant page.

2. Review and Refresh Your Boards

Your old boards might not align with your current goals. It's time to do some digital spring cleaning. Go through your existing boards and ask yourself:

• Is this board still relevant to my niche/audience? If not, consider archiving it instead of deleting it. Archiving hides the board from public view but saves it for you to reference later.
• Are my board covers visually consistent and appealing? Creating branded board covers can give your profile a more professional and cohesive look.
• Are the board titles and descriptions optimized? Make sure they use keywords that your target audience is searching for. Strong keywords in board descriptions can greatly improve your visibility in Pinterest search.

3. Get Up to Speed with Today's Pinterest

Pinterest is no longer just a platform for static images and infographics. Video Pins and Idea Pins are now a major driver of engagement and reach.

If your old strategy was all about static Pins, you'll want to add these new formats to your content mix. Idea Pins, which are multi-page video or image carousels, are especially powerful for tutorials, storytelling, and building a community directly on the platform. They tend to get prioritized by the Pinterest algorithm, so incorporating them into your weekly schedule is a smart move.

4. Plan Your Content and Get Consistent

The Pinterest algorithm loves consistency. Once you're back, plan to Pin regularly - whether that's one new Pin a day or three. The key is to avoid posting a flurry of content one day and then disappearing for weeks. Creating a simple content calendar helps you stay on track.

Start by brainstorming 10-15 content ideas that align with your refreshed strategy. These could be videos, carousels, or traditional static Pins. Having a bank of ideas makes it much easier to stay consistent and not burn out in your first month back.

Final Thoughts

Reclaiming your Pinterest presence is usually a straightforward login away, so long as your account was only deactivated. By following these steps and preparing a simple, fresh strategy for moving forward, you’ll be ready to tap into the platform's potential all over again.

Getting back into a consistent rhythm after a long break can feel like a chore. That's why we designed Postbase - our main goal was to make scheduling social media content simple and visual. I find our visual calendar to be a real lifesaver for batch-creating and scheduling Pinterest content weeks in advance, making it easy to stay consistent and organized without feeling overwhelmed.