How to delete your Jami account

About deleting your Jami account

Jami is a unique, distributed communication platform that relies on peer-to-peer (P2P) technology rather than centralized servers. Unlike traditional messaging apps that host your data on corporate hardware, Jami generates a unique digital identity stored entirely on your local machine. This architecture ensures that communication remains private and end-to-end encrypted by default, utilizing DHT (Distributed Hash Table) networks to route messages without a middleman.

Because Jami does not maintain a central database of user accounts, the standard 'Delete Account' button found in most applications does not exist. Users may choose to delete their Jami identity for several reasons, such as moving to a new device, purging old peer-to-peer history, or opting for a fresh start to ensure no trace of their metadata remains on a shared computer. Deleting your Jami account means destroying the private keys that allow you to decrypt and receive messages, effectively rendering your presence on the network unreachable.

• No central account database: Jami lacks a cloud-based server account to deactivate.
• Local identity storage: Your credentials reside only on your disk, not in the cloud.
• Peer-to-peer network: Your account exists as a node address within the Jami network.

What happens to your data

Since Jami is decentralized, removing your data is a manual process that grants you full control. When you delete your Jami configuration folder, you are performing a complete local wipe of your personal communication footprint. Data removed includes your account profile information, contact history, and local message logs.

• Identity files: The primary cryptographic keys representing your account.
• Message history: All text, voice, and video chat logs stored locally on your device.
• Contacts list: The local database of peer addresses you have interacted with.
• Shared files: Any historical attachments or media files you have saved within the Jami client.

It is important to note that while your identity files are destroyed, you cannot recall messages that you have already sent to other users' devices. The peer-to-peer nature of the protocol means that your data resides on the devices of the people you communicated with, and Jami cannot force them to delete these fragments once they have been delivered.

Privacy considerations

Jami is designed for high-security environments, but users should be aware that local storage is their own responsibility. Unlike services that offer 'remote wipe' capabilities, if you lose access to your device without deleting the configuration folder, your account identity remains active on the network.

• Backup your keys: If you intend to delete your account to migrate to a new device, ensure you export your account and password first.
• Local encryption: Use full-disk encryption on your operating system to prevent unauthorized access to your Jami data folders.
• Metadata awareness: While content is encrypted, the network can technically see the connection between nodes, which is a standard attribute of P2P systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Jami keep a copy of my messages on their servers?

No, Jami is a serverless, peer-to-peer platform. No central server exists to store your messages or identity data.

Can I recover my Jami account after deleting the configuration folder?

No. If you delete the configuration folder without a backup, your private keys are permanently destroyed, and your account identity is unrecoverable.

Will other people know I deleted my account?

They will not receive a notification, but your node will simply stop responding on the network, appearing as if you are permanently offline.

Do I need to delete my account on every device I use Jami on?

Yes. Because each device typically generates its own local identity or holds a local copy of your synced credentials, you must clean the folder on every machine.

Is it enough to just uninstall the Jami software?

Uninstalling the app often leaves local data folders behind. You must manually locate and delete the configuration directory to ensure your identity files are wiped.

Does Jami track my activity after I delete the app?

No. Once your local identity files are deleted, you no longer possess a valid cryptographic key to participate in the network, meaning Jami has no way to track you.