This wikiHow teaches you how to delete a Google account or Gmail account. In the process of deleting a Google account, all data related to the account will be deleted, while in the process of deleting a Gmail account, only addresses and email data are deleted.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Removing Google Account
Step 1. Visit myaccount.google.com in a browser
You can only delete a Google account through a web browser.
Step 2. Click the Sign in button if you are not logged into your account yet
It's in the top-right corner of the page. If you're already signed in to your account, double-check the account you're using and make sure you're signed in with the account you want to delete.
Once you're logged in, you'll see your account profile photo in the top right corner of the page. Click the photo to view/check the account being used. If you are logged in using the wrong account, click “Sign Out” on the menu that appears, then log back in using the account you want to delete
Step 3. Sign in with the account you want to delete
You don't need to follow this step if you're already signed in using the right account.
Step 4. Click the Delete your account or services option
This option is under the " Account preferences " section on the right side of the page.
Step 5. Click Delete Google Account and data
Step 6. Re-enter the account password if prompted
You may be asked to log back in before continuing with the deletion process.
Step 7. Review the content that will be deleted as well
In addition, you can also see the services whose access will be removed.
Step 9. Scroll to the screen and tick the two Yes boxes
Checking the box is the only confirmation step that can be taken to delete an account.
Step 10. Click the Delete Account button
Step 11. Try to restore the deleted account
If you change your mind or accidentally delete an account, you have a little time to get the account back:
- Visit accounts.google.com/signin/recovery
- Try logging in using the deleted account login information.
- Click the "Try to restore account" link.
-
Step 1. Visit myaccount.google.com in a browser
Step 2. Click the Sign in button
It's in the top-right corner of the page. If you're already signed in, make sure it's the Gmail account you want to delete.
Once logged in, you'll see your account profile photo in the top right corner of the page. Click the photo and click “Sign out” to log in using the other account you want to delete
Step 3. Sign in using the Gmail account you want to delete
You don't need to follow these steps if you're already signed in to Gmail using the account you want to delete.
Step 4. Click the Delete your account or services button
Step 5. Click the Delete products option
Step 6. Re-enter Gmail account password if prompted
Step 7. Click the “Delete” button which is next to the “Gmail” text
The button is displayed in the trash icon.
Step 8. Enter an alternate email address for your Google account
This is the email address used to sign in to other Google services/products, such as Google Drive or YouTube.
The email address needs to be verified so make sure you're using an account that can be accessed
Step 9. Click Send Verification Email
Step 10. Open the alternate email account mailbox that you previously entered
Step 11. Open the verification letter from Google
Usually the mail is received and displayed in the inbox after a few minutes.
Step 12. Click the link in the mail to verify the new address
Once the new address is verified, your Gmail account will be permanently deleted.
Tips
- To avoid spamming, create a new email address with a different email provider, and don't use that address to sign up for any accounts. Create another email address and use that address to create any service accounts you need.
- Keep in mind that if you have a Droid or Android device and it's still synced with your deleted Gmail account, you won't be able to access the Market features because your account has changed. You will need to reset the device to factory settings to authenticate the new account so that the service or feature can be used again.
- When creating a new account in Gmail, create a unique email address. If you create an overly “marketable” address like “budi(at)gmail.com”, there is a good chance that you will receive a lot of spam because the address is short and easy to guess.
- Don't use your name as an email address when creating a Gmail account (eg “kim.taeyeon(at)gmail.com.” Be aware that some spammers use random names (both first and last name) to send spam.
- If you don't know how to delete your account, you can change your account status to offline. Write a status like “This account is no longer active” and never log back in using the account.
-
If you use Gmail offline, you'll also need to delete the cookies associated with that account to completely delete the account. If you are using Google Chrome, you can follow these steps:
- Type chrome://settings/cookies into the address bar and press the “Enter” key.
- Look for “mail.google.com”.
- Hover over the search results and click the “X” button that appears.
- Before deleting an e-mail account, make a backup copy of the e-mail using the cloud-based e-mail backup solution.
