How to Delete Gmail Account on Desktop or Mobile
Deleting your Gmail account permanently removes all associated data, including emails and contacts. If you’ve made the decision to delete your Gmail account, this article will guide you through the steps for both desktop and mobile devices.
There could be several reasons why you want to delete your Gmail account. Perhaps it’s a matter of decluttering or switching email providers. It may also be due to privacy concerns or simply because you no longer need an account.
If you’re hesitant about permanently deleting your account, you can consider alternatives like disabling it or forwarding emails to another address instead of closing it entirely. Now, let’s delve into the process of deleting your Gmail account and things to know before doing so.
Things to Know Before Deleting Gmail Account
Before deleting your Gmail account, there are a few key things to know. Deleting your Gmail account will remove all emails, contacts, and other data associated with it. Remember to back up any important files or data before proceeding.
Deleting your Gmail account is a permanent action that cannot be undone. After a 30-day grace period, you will not be able to recover any data or regain access. It’s important to be absolutely certain before proceeding and to consider any potential implications.
Additionally, deleting your Gmail account will not automatically delete your accounts on other Google products or services, such as Google Drive, Google Photos, or YouTube. These services are connected to your overall Google Account, which includes various Google products and services.
Note: It’s a good idea to inform your contacts and relevant connections about the change in your email address to avoid communication issues.
How to Delete Gmail Account
Deleting your Gmail account is simple. We will show you how to do it on desktop and mobile. Follow along.
On Desktop
Step 1: Go to Google and click on your profile picture in the top right corner. From the drop-down, select ‘Manage your Google Account.’
You will be directed to your Google Account details page.
Step 2: Select ‘Data & privacy’ from the left pane.
Step 3: Scroll down and select “Delete a Google service” under the “Download or delete your data” section.
To verify and sign in to your account, log in and go to the ‘Delete a Google service’ page. Click ‘Download your data’ to save it before deleting your Gmail address. After you finish the download, follow Step 4: on the ‘Delete a Google service’ page, tap the trash can icon next to Gmail.
Step 5: In the pop-up ‘How you’ll sign in to Google,’ select the account you want to use for other Google products, like Google Play, Docs, or Calendar, and click Next. Note: If you don’t have an account set up already, click on ‘Enter a new email address’ and click Next.
Step 6: Read the modal carefully. Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions and select Delete Gmail.
That’s it. You have successfully deleted your Gmail account without affecting other Google services.
On Mobile
The steps to delete your Gmail account from a mobile device are similar to those on a desktop. While these steps can be used on both Android and iOS, we will demonstrate using an Android device. Please follow the instructions below.
1. Launch the Google app on your Android or iOS device and tap your profile picture at the top right corner.
Step 2: Go to ‘Manage your Google Account’ in the drop-down menu. Then, navigate to ‘Data and privacy’ on the Google Account screen.
Step 3: Scroll down and, under ‘Download or delete your data,’ select ‘Delete a Google Service.’
Authenticate and log in to your account. After logging in, you’ll be directed to the ‘Delete a Google service’ page. From there, tap ‘Download your data’ to save your information before deleting Gmail. Once done, proceed with the steps below.
Step 4: On the ‘Delete a Google service’ page, tap the trashcan icon next to Gmail.
Step 5: In the ‘How you’ll sign in to Google’ pop-up, choose the account you want to use with other Google products like Google Play, Docs, or Calendar, then tap Next.
Note: If you don’t have an account set up already, select ‘Enter a new email address’ and tap Next.
Step 6: On the next screen, a modal will appear explaining what happens when you delete your Gmail account. Once you have read it, check the box to agree to the terms and tap the Delete Gmail button.
Once your Gmail account is deleted, you can no longer access it. So, what if you want to delete both your Gmail and Google accounts? Keep reading.
How to Delete Google Account
Deleting your Google account is equivalent to bidding farewell to your Gmail account. However, the repercussions extend beyond just that; it entails parting ways with all other Google services you utilize, including YouTube, Adwords, and more. In essence, every facet associated with your Google account will be eliminated in the process.
On Desktop
Step 1: Go to Google and click on your profile picture in the top right corner. From the drop-down menu, select ‘Manage your Google Account.’
You will be directed to your Google Account details page.
Step 2: Choose ‘Data & privacy’ from the left pane.
Step 3: Scroll down and, under More options, click ‘Delete your Google Account.’
To delete your Google Account, go through the authentication and login process. Once logged in, you’ll be taken to the ‘Delete your Google Account’ page. If you want to save your data, download it by selecting ‘Download your data’ before continuing with the deletion. After downloading your data, follow these steps to complete the deletion process.
Step 5: Read the details and, at the bottom, agree to the terms and conditions and choose Delete Account.
Deleting your Google account is a straightforward process. Once you request deletion, the process starts immediately. However, it takes Google servers 2 months to completely remove all your account data.
During the account deletion process, there is a 30-day grace period for recovery. After that, your account will be permanently deleted.
On Mobile
Deleting your Gmail account from a mobile device is similar to doing it on a desktop. We will use Android for this demonstration, but the steps on iOS are also similar. Here are the instructions:
1. Open the Google app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Tap on your profile picture at the top right corner.
Step 2: Go to ‘Manage your Google Account’ and select ‘Data & privacy’ from the drop-down menu under the Google Account screen.
Step 3: Scroll down and select ‘Delete your Google Account’ under the ‘More options’ section. Authenticate and log in to your account. After logging in, you’ll be directed to the ‘Delete your Google Account’ page. Tap on ‘Download your data’ to save a copy of your data before deleting your Google account. Once you’ve completed downloading the data, proceed with the steps.
Step 4: Read the details and check the boxes at the bottom to agree to the terms and conditions. Choose Delete Account.
There you have it. You have successfully deleted your Google account. If you changed your mind after deleting, continue reading to learn how to recover quickly.
Can You Recover a Deleted Google Account
Once you delete your Google account, there is a limited window for account recovery. Deleting your Gmail account can take a few weeks to complete, and during this time, you won’t have access to it. However, other users may still be able to send emails to your account. If you want to recover your recently deleted account, follow these steps:
1. Visit the Google Account recovery page.
2. Enter the email address of the deleted account.
Follow the instructions to verify your identity and provide any requested information in Step 2. If successful, you may regain access to your account. Remember to complete the recovery process within the 30-day grace period.
FAQs on Deleting Gmail Account
1. What is the difference between deleting Gmail and a Google account?
Deleting a Gmail account ends your email service and prevents access to your Gmail inbox and related services. However, your Google account, including other services like Google Drive and YouTube, remains active.
In contrast, deleting a Google account means saying farewell to everything connected to it. This includes all services and data associated with your account. Therefore, you can no longer use Google services, and all content linked to the account is permanently deleted.
2. Does Google delete inactive accounts?
Yes, Google has a policy for deleting dormant accounts. If an account remains inactive for a certain period, Google may delete it. The specific time frame for considering an account inactive may vary. However, generally, if you haven’t signed in or engaged with any Google services for a prolonged period (roughly 2 years), your account may be at risk of deletion.
3. Can I delete a Gmail account without a password?
No, you cannot delete a Gmail account without the password. If you have forgotten your password, go through the account recovery process or reset your password. If nothing works out, reach out to Gmail support.
Get Rid of Your Gmail
Deleting a Gmail account allows you to control your digital footprint and make informed decisions that align with your online preferences. Consider exploring these Gmail alternatives for Android.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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