How to Unlink Pinterest Accounts

Need to untangle a social media or login connection from your Pinterest account? You're in the right place. Whether you're tightening up your privacy settings, overhauling your brand's social strategy, or just decluttering old connections, separating accounts is a common and straightforward task. This guide will walk you through exactly how to unlink login methods like Google and Facebook, as well as how to unclaim linked business accounts like Instagram, Etsy, or your website, step by step.

Why Unlink Accounts from Pinterest?

People disconnect accounts from Pinterest for a wide range of practical reasons. It's not always about a dramatic exit, more often, it's about smart account management. Understanding the "why" can help clarify what actions you need to take.

• Boosting Privacy and Security: Limiting the connections between your online accounts is a solid security practice. If your Facebook or Google account is ever compromised, unlinking it from Pinterest prevents that weakness from spreading. You create separate, self-contained entry points, which makes your digital presence more secure.
• Rebranding or Changing Strategy: Brands evolve. Maybe the Etsy shop you linked two years ago is no longer your focus, or you've shifted your primary content from YouTube videos to Instagram Reels. Unclaiming old accounts keeps your profile current and reflects your brand's new direction, preventing confusion for your followers.
• Separating Personal and Business Use: It's incredibly common to start a Pinterest account for personal use and later have it become a professional tool. If you initially logged in with your personal Facebook profile, you might want to disconnect it and create a dedicated email and password login for your business, giving you a clean separation. This can be a step toward managing or deleting a Pinterest business account if it no longer serves your needs.
• Troubleshooting Login Headaches: Occasionally, the token or permission connecting Pinterest to a third-party login (like Google's) can go stale or become corrupted, leading to login errors. Disconnecting and then reconnecting the account can often fix these frustrating glitches.
• Sunsetting Old Platforms: If you've decided to stop using a particular social platform altogether, there’s no sense in keeping it claimed on your Pinterest profile. Unclaiming it is good digital housekeeping that keeps your online footprint tidy and up-to-date.

Understanding the Two Types of Linked Accounts

Before you start clicking buttons, it's helpful to know that Pinterest has two main kinds of connections, and the unlinking process is different for each. Knowing which type you're dealing with will prevent any mix-ups or accidental lockouts.

1. Login Connections (Authentication): These are third-party services you use to sign in to Pinterest. Think of them as the key to your account. The most common ones are Google, Facebook, and Apple ID. Using these is convenient because you don't have to remember another password. However, unlinking them requires careful steps to ensure you can still access your account.
2. Claimed Accounts (Verification): These are links to external properties that you own and have verified with Pinterest. This includes your website, Instagram account, YouTube channel, or Etsy shop. Claiming an account tells Pinterest, "Hey, I own this," so you can access analytics for Pins from this source and display a verification icon. Unclaiming these is about managing your brand assets and analytics, and it won't affect your login capability.

How to Unlink Login Accounts (Google, Facebook, &, Apple)

Unlinking an account you use to log in is simple, but there's one critical step you need to take first to avoid accidentally losing access to your profile.

Before You Unlink: A Crucial Warning

If you use Google, Facebook, or Apple as your only method for logging into Pinterest, you cannot simply disconnect it. If you do, Pinterest will have no way of verifying your identity, and you’ll be locked out. You must set a dedicated Pinterest password for your account before you remove the social login option.

Here’s how to add a password if you don't have one:

1. Log into Pinterest using your current social login (Google, Facebook, or Apple).
2. Click the down arrow in the top-right corner to open the menu and select Settings.
3. In the left-hand navigation menu, click on Security and logins.
4. Click on the Change your password button. Since you don't have an old password, Pinterest will send a password reset link to the email address associated with your account.
5. Check your email, follow the link, and create a new, strong password. Once saved, you can now log in using your email address and this new password.

With a password now attached to your account, you are safe to proceed with unlinking the social connection.

Step-by-Step: Unlinking from a Desktop Browser

Using a computer is the most direct way to manage your account connections.

• Step 1: Navigate to Security Settings
  Log into your Pinterest account. Click the down arrow icon in the top-right of your screen and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
• Step 2: Find Login Options
  In the settings menu, click on Security and logins from the list on the left side of the screen.
• Step 3: Disconnect the Account
  Under the "Login Options" section, you'll see checkboxes next to any social accounts you've connected (e.g., "Use your Facebook account to log in"). Simply uncheck the box next to the service you want to remove.
• Step 4: Save Your Changes
  Scroll down and click the red Save button to confirm the change. The account will now be disconnected. The next time you log in, you'll need to use your email address and password.

Step-by-Step: Unlinking from the Mobile App (iOS &, Android)

You can also handle this directly from your phone.

• Step 1: Open Settings
  Launch the Pinterest app and tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner. Then, tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of your profile page and select Settings.
• Step 2: Go to Security
  In the settings menu, tap on Security and logins.
• Step 3: Untoggle the Login Method
  Similar to the desktop view, you'll see toggles or checkboxes for your Facebook, Google, or Apple logins. Tap the toggle to turn it off for the account you wish to disconnect.
• Step 4: Confirm
  The app will ask you to confirm your decision. Tap "Disconnect" to finalize the action. You're all set!

How to Unclaim Websites &, Social Media Accounts

Unclaiming an account is about removing the official link between your Pinterest profile and an external property. This removes special analytics features and the verified checkmark from your profile, but it does not affect your ability to log in.

Note: This action can only be performed from a desktop browser, not the Pinterest mobile app.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unclaiming Accounts

1. Log in and Go to Settings
   Using a desktop web browser, log into the Pinterest account you want to manage. Click the down arrow in the top right and select Settings.
2. Find Your Claimed Accounts
   From the left navigation menu, click on Claimed accounts. This will open a page showing all the websites, social media channels, and shops you have successfully claimed.
3. Click to Unclaim
   Next to each listed property (e.g., your website URL, your Instagram handle), you will see a grey button that says Unclaim. Click this button for the property you want to remove.
4. Confirm Your Decision
   A pop-up window will appear asking if you're sure you want to unclaim the account. It will remind you that analytic data and attribution will be disconnected. Click the red Unclaim button in the pop-up to confirm.

The change is instant. Your profile will no longer show the verification icon for that property, and it will be removed from your list of claimed accounts.

What Happens After You Unlink?

Understanding the consequences helps set clear expectations.

When you unlink a login account (Facebook, Google, Apple):

• You permanently lose the ability to use that "Log in with..." button for your Pinterest account.
• Your Pinterest profile, boards, and Pins remain completely intact. Nothing is deleted.
• Pinterest will no longer be able to access any data from that social connection, enhancing your privacy.

When you unclaim a website or social account:

• The verified symbol (a little globe or checkmark) next to your website on your profile will disappear.
• You instantly lose access to Pinterest Analytics for that website or social account. You won't be able to see detailed data about Pins created from your property.
• Rich Pins created from your website may eventually revert to standard Pins, but existing Pins will not be deleted from Pinterest.
• Your name and profile picture will no longer automatically sync from a connected Instagram account.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things don't go exactly as planned. Here are a few common hiccups and how to fix them.

"I'm locked out after unlinking my social login!"

This typically happens when you unlink your only login method without first setting a password. Don't panic! Go to the Pinterest login page and click the "Forgot password?" link. Enter the email address associated with your Pinterest account (this should be the same email tied to the Google or Facebook account you just unlinked). Pinterest will send you a reset link so you can create a password and regain access.

"The 'Unclaim' button is greyed out or isn't working."

This is usually a temporary browser-side issue. First, try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then log back into Pinterest and try again. Using an incognito or private browsing window can also force a fresh session and often solves the problem. A rare platform bug might be the cause, and if it persists for more than a day, reaching out to Pinterest Support is the next best step.

"I unlinked my account, but Pinterest is still recommending I connect with friends from that platform!"

Pinterest's recommendations can be a bit sticky. After you unlink an account, it might take some time for their recommendation algorithm to catch up and stop suggesting connections based on data from your newly unlinked network. If it continues for an extended period, you can manage your "inferred privacy" settings under your privacy settings to get more granular control over recommendations.

Final Thoughts

Unlinking social media connections or claimed accounts from your Pinterest profile is a straightforward way to maintain control over your branding, privacy, and security. Whether you're cleaning up old permissions or preparing for a new business strategy, all the tools you need are right there in your account settings.

Keeping your different social media platforms organized is a key part of running an efficient online presence. Between Pinterest, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and more, the manual task of keeping everything in sync can be a real headache. As our team at Postbase built our social media management tool, we focused on eliminating that exact chaos. We purpose-built our platform for today’s creators and marketers, creating stable, reliable connections to your accounts so you can schedule posts across platforms without the constant errors and disconnections that plague older tools.