Deleting an Account
Overview
This guide walks you through deleting an existing Hedera account using the Transaction Tool. The account deletion process permanently removes an account from the Hedera network and transfers any remaining HBAR balance to another account you specify. Once deleted, the account’s ID cannot be reused.
Note: Deleting a Hedera account requires submitting an Account Delete transaction. The account being deleted must pay the transaction fee, and you must have access to the account’s private key to authorize deletion. Once deleted, the account cannot be recovered.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, you should have completed the following:
Transaction Tool Setup: New User Installation Guide
User Account Configuration: Account Setup process to create your user account
You should also have:
Private Keys: Access to the private key of the account being deleted for signing the transaction
Account to Delete: The Hedera account you want to delete must be accessible in your account list
Transfer Account: A valid Hedera account to receive the remaining HBAR balance from the deleted account
Sufficient Balance: The account must have enough HBAR to pay transaction fees.
Transaction Properties
Transaction Description
A descriptive name for this deletion transaction
"Delete Treasury Account"
No
Payer ID
The account that will pay the transaction fees (usually the account being deleted)
0.0.12345 - View examples on HashScan
Yes
Valid Start
The timestamp when the transaction becomes valid for execution
2025-04-05T10:00:00Z
Yes
Max Transaction Fee
The maximum amount of HBARs the payer is willing to pay for the transaction
100000000 (1 HBAR)
Yes
Transaction Memo
Optional text description for the deletion transaction
"Closing unused account"
No
Account ID
The Hedera account ID to be deleted (automatically populated)
0.0.12345
Yes
Transfer Account ID
The account that will receive the remaining HBAR balance from the deleted account
0.0.67890
Yes
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prepare the Transaction
You can access the Delete Account form in two ways:
Method 1 – Using the Main Menu:
Select Create New from the main menu, then choose Transaction.
Choose Account, then select Delete Account.
Method 2 – From the Accounts list:
On the dashboard, select Accounts from the left navigation panel.
In the list of accounts, select the account you want to delete.
On the right-hand side, the Account Information is displayed. Select Edit.
Select Delete from network
Step 2: Configure Delete Properties
Fill in the required account parameters in the form. Refer to the Transaction Properties table above for descriptions and examples.
Step 3: Submit the Transaction
Select Create and Share to prepare the transaction for signing. The transaction will not be submitted until the Valid Start time is reached.
Review all details one final time before confirming, as this action is irreversible.
Confirm that you want to delete this account. As deleting this account will permanently remove the account from the network.
Reconfirm the transaction by selecting confirm option.
Step 4: Sign and Execute
Personal mode: Select Sign & Execute to sign with your local key(s) and submit to the network.
Organization mode: Select Create & Share to route for approvals and signatures.
Step 5: Verify Account Deletion
The Account ID will become permanently unusable on the Hedera network.
In the transaction tool as well you won't be able to to perform any transaction with that account.
Verify that the remaining HBAR balance was transferred to the designated Transfer Account.
Step 5: Verify Account Deletion
The deleted Account ID will become permanently unusable on the Hedera network. In the Transaction Tool, you will no longer be able to perform any transactions with that account.
To confirm the deletion:
Verify HBAR Transfer
Ensure the remaining HBAR balance was transferred to the designated Transfer Account.
From the accounts list in the Transaction Tool, select the the account you transferred the HBAR and confirm that the transferred amount is reflected.
Check Deleted Account
In the accounts list, if you select the deleted account, its balance should now show 0.
You should see the message “Account is deleted” at the bottom of the account details section.
Confirm in Transaction History (Optional)
Navigate to the History tab in the Transactions.
Locate the Account Delete Transaction.
If successful, the transaction status will display Success.
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