You Just Found a Pin You Want to Remove
Scrolling through your Pinterest boards, you spot it. Maybe it’s a recipe you never tried, a DIY project that’s now irrelevant, or an old pin that no longer fits your style. Your first thought is a simple one: how do I get rid of this?
Deleting pins is a fundamental part of curating your Pinterest presence. Whether you’re decluttering, rebranding, or simply correcting a mistake, knowing how to properly remove content is essential. This guide walks you through every method, on every device, and answers the common questions that pop up along the way.
Understanding Your Pinterest Inventory
Before you start deleting, it helps to know what you’re working with. A “pin” is the core unit of content on Pinterest. It’s an image or video you’ve saved, which is then stored on one of your “boards.” Think of boards as themed folders or albums.
You can delete a pin entirely, which removes it from Pinterest for everyone. Alternatively, you can simply remove a pin from one of your boards while keeping it saved elsewhere. We’ll cover both scenarios.
The Difference Between Deleting and Unpinning
This is a crucial distinction. “Deleting” a pin means you are the original creator who uploaded it to Pinterest. When you delete it, it vanishes from the platform completely—from your profile, from any boards it was saved to, and from other users’ boards who may have saved it.
“Unpinning” or “removing a pin from a board” is what most people do. This means you saved someone else’s pin to your board, and you’re now removing that save. The original pin remains on Pinterest, posted by its creator. You’re just cleaning up your own collection.
How to Delete a Pin You Created
If you are the original pinner—meaning you uploaded the image or video directly—you have the power to delete it permanently. Here’s how to do it across all devices.
On the Pinterest Website (Desktop)
Start by logging into your Pinterest account on a computer. Navigate to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top-right corner. Click on the board that contains the pin you want to delete, then locate the specific pin.
Click on the pin to open it in a larger view. In the top-right corner of the pin, you will see three dots (an ellipsis icon). Click on these dots to open a menu. From this menu, select “Edit pin.” This will open the pin’s editing details.
At the very bottom of the edit screen, you will see a red text link that says “Delete pin.” Click this link. Pinterest will ask for confirmation with a pop-up message: “Are you sure? Once you delete this pin, you can’t get it back.” Click “Delete” to confirm. The pin and all its saves will be permanently removed.
On the Pinterest Mobile App (iOS & Android)
The process in the app is very similar. Open the Pinterest app and tap your profile icon at the bottom. Tap into the board containing the pin, then tap on the pin itself to open it fully.
Look for the three dots (ellipsis) at the top of the screen, usually near the pin’s title. Tap on them to open the action menu. Scroll through the options and tap “Edit pin.”
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the edit screen. You will find the “Delete pin” option in red text. Tap it, confirm the action in the pop-up, and the pin will be deleted forever.
How to Remove a Saved Pin from Your Board
This is the more common action—cleaning up pins you’ve saved from others. The pin itself stays on Pinterest, but it disappears from your board.
Quick Removal from a Board Grid
While viewing one of your boards in grid layout (the standard view), hover your mouse over a pin on desktop. You’ll see a small circle with three dots appear in the top-left corner of the pin’s thumbnail. Clicking these dots opens a mini-menu. Select “Remove from board.” On mobile, tap and hold the pin thumbnail in the grid until a menu pops up, then tap “Remove from board.”
Removal from the Pin’s Close-up View
If you’ve already clicked into the pin, the method is almost identical. On the pin’s page, look for the three-dot menu. In this menu, you will see an option labeled “Remove from board [Board Name].” Selecting this will instantly unpin it from that specific board. If you’ve saved the pin to multiple boards, you’ll need to repeat this process for each one.
Bulk Deleting and Managing Multiple Pins
Manually deleting pins one by one is tedious if you have a lot to clean up. Pinterest offers a bulk editing feature to speed things up significantly.
On the desktop website, go to your profile and select the board you want to clean. Click the “Organize” button near the top of the board. This will enter a selection mode where you can click on multiple pins. A checkmark will appear on each selected pin.
Once you’ve selected all the pins you want to remove, a toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen. Click the trash can icon (labeled “Delete”). A confirmation will ask if you want to delete these pins. Be careful: if these are pins you created, they will be permanently deleted. If they are saved pins, they will just be removed from this board.
Note: The bulk “Organize” feature is primarily available on the desktop website and may have limited functionality in the mobile app.
Troubleshooting Common Deletion Problems
Sometimes, the option to delete or edit a pin seems to be missing. Here are the likely reasons and fixes.
The “Edit Pin” Option Is Not Showing
If you don’t see “Edit pin” in the three-dot menu, it means you are not the original creator of that pin. You can only edit or delete pins that you uploaded. For saved pins, you will only see “Remove from board.” Double-check the pin’s source by looking for the original pinner’s name and profile picture.
You Deleted a Pin But It Still Appears
This is usually a caching issue. The Pinterest app or your web browser has stored a local copy of the page. Try these steps:
– Force close and restart the Pinterest mobile app.
– On a browser, do a hard refresh (Ctrl + F5 on Windows, Cmd + Shift + R on Mac).
– Clear your browser’s cache for Pinterest.com.
Give it a few minutes. Pinterest’s servers need to sync the deletion across its network.
Accidentally Deleted the Wrong Pin
If you permanently deleted a pin you created, there is no undo button and no recycle bin. It is gone. For pins you merely removed from a board, you can easily re-save them. Find the pin again through search, on another board, or via your browsing history and click the “Save” button to add it back.
Strategic Reasons to Clean Up Your Pins
Beyond simple clutter, a thoughtful pin cleanup can benefit your Pinterest experience.
First, it improves your profile’s relevance. Pinterest’s algorithm recommends your content to others based on your boards’ themes. Outdated or off-topic pins can dilute your profile’s focus, making your best content harder to discover.
Second, it helps with personal inspiration. A curated board filled only with ideas you genuinely love is far more useful than a bloated board where the good ideas are lost in the noise. Regular pruning keeps your inspiration fresh and actionable.
Finally, if you use Pinterest for business, maintaining professional, on-brand boards is non-negotiable. Deleting old product pins, outdated graphics, or failed campaign content presents a cohesive and current brand image to visitors.
Best Practices for Future Pinning
To minimize future cleanup, adopt a more intentional pinning habit.
– Be selective. Don’t save every mildly interesting image. Ask yourself if this pin truly aligns with your board’s goal.
– Use private boards. For ideas that are just for you (like gift ideas or personal planning), use private boards. They keep your public profile clean.
– Review boards quarterly. Schedule a quick review of your boards every few months to remove pins that are no longer useful.
A little ongoing maintenance prevents the need for a massive, overwhelming deletion session later.
Your Next Steps for a Tidy Profile
Now that you have the complete guide, the power is in your hands. Start with one board that feels the most cluttered. Use the bulk organize tool on your desktop for the fastest results. Focus first on removing saved pins you no longer need, as this is risk-free.
For pins you created, take an extra moment before hitting delete. Consider if you could simply edit the pin’s description, link, or board placement instead. Once you’re in a rhythm, you’ll find that keeping a streamlined, inspiring Pinterest profile becomes a simple and rewarding part of your routine.
