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Step-by-Step Guide to Permanently Delete Your Gmail Account

How to Delete a Gmail Account and Google Account

Want to learn how to delete a Gmail account with or without your Google account? In this article, we’ll explain what to do in each of these scenarios. The process is slightly different for desktop and mobile users, so we’ve prepared a separate step-by-step guide for each platform.

There can be many reasons to delete your Gmail account. You might want to start from scratch if you have an embarrassing username or get too many spam letters. Alternatively, you might consider switching to another email provider altogether. No matter the reason, today you’ll learn how to reach your goal.

How to Delete Your Gmail Account

If you’ve been asking yourself how to delete your Gmail account permanently, you’re in the right place. Below is a step-by-step guide for deleting your Gmail. It works both for Windows and macOS because you only need a browser. For those wondering how to delete a Gmail account on mobile, find the guides below as well.

Step-by-Step Guide for Desktop

  1. Click your profile icon at the top-right and choose “Manage your Google Account.”
  2. On the left menu, select “Data & privacy.”
  3. In the Download or delete your data section, select “Delete a Google service.”
  4. Select “Delete a service” and enter your Gmail account password for verification.
  5. Click the Trash icon beside “Gmail.” You can also click “DOWNLOAD DATA” to copy your messages, attachments, and user settings.
  6. Enter an email that’s not Gmail to associate with the rest of your Google services. Click “SEND VERIFICATION EMAIL.”
  7. Log in to the non-Gmail account and open the verification email. Click on the link.
  8. At the bottom of the message, tick the box and choose “DELETE GMAIL.”

That’s it. Your Gmail account is gone forever. Or isn’t it?

How to Delete a Gmail Account on Android Phone

Deleting your Gmail account on Android is similar to the desktop instructions. Follow these steps:

  1. Open your Android’s Settings and scroll down to Google.
  2. Click “Manage your Google account”. Under Data & personalization, choose “Delete a service or your account.”
  3. Tap “Delete a service” and then tap the Trash bin beside your Gmail account.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions. The rest of the steps are similar to those for the desktop version.

How to Delete a Gmail Account on iPhone

Deleting your Gmail on an iOS device is not much different from the desktop method. Here are the main steps:

  1. In your Gmail app, press the hamburger menu at the top-left and scroll down to Settings. Tap on the account you’re about to delete.
  2. Tap “Manage your Google Account.”
  3. Choose “Data & personalization,” then “Delete a service or your account,” and finally “Delete a service.”
  4. Find Gmail on your list of Google services and tap the trash bin. Follow the instructions to delete your Gmail account.

5 Things to Know Before Deleting Your Gmail Account

Deleting your Gmail account is a serious step. Here are five crucial facts to consider before making the irreversible decision:

  1. Deleting a Gmail account is final. Once you go through all the steps, there’s no way back. All your emails and account info will be gone, and you won’t be able to send or receive emails. Neither you nor anyone else will be able to choose the same username.
  2. Your Google account will stay intact. If you delete your Gmail account permanently, your Google account won’t be deleted automatically. You can still use Photos, Drive, and other services.
  3. No way to access other accounts. Many of your accounts might be registered using this email. When it’s gone, you may no longer be able to access those accounts.
  4. No way to reset passwords. If you forget the password for services registered with this Gmail account, you won’t be able to reset it.
  5. You can download all emails. Before you delete the account, you can easily download your emails with Google Takeout.

How to Delete Your Entire Google Account

You can delete not only your Gmail but an entire Google Account from your computer, which includes Drive, Photos, Calendar, and other services. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to myaccount.google.com.
  2. On the left menu, select “Data & personalization.”
  3. Scroll down and choose “Delete a service or your account.”
  4. Select “Delete your Google Account.” Provide your password when prompted.
  5. Download your data if you want. Then scroll down, tick both boxes, and click “DELETE ACCOUNT.”

Can You Recover a Deleted Gmail Account?

If you’ve changed your mind, there might still be hope to recover a deleted Gmail account. However, the longer you wait, the less chance that your data is still there. To recover your Gmail, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Google recovery page. Enter the email address that you want to recover and click “Next.”
  2. If you get the message that such an account doesn’t exist, then all is lost. However, if you get to enter the last password of your Gmail account that you remember, you’re lucky!
  3. If you entered the right password, you should get a success message. Continue to your Google Account.
  4. Click “Google apps” at the top-right, next to your Google Account icon. Select “Gmail,” add your phone number (you will need it for verification), and click “Submit.”
  5. Choose your verification method. It can be either an SMS or a phone call.
  6. Enter the verification code that you’ve just received.
  7. Congratulations, you’ve got your Gmail account back!

Can You Recover a Deleted Google Account?

If you’ve recently deleted your Google Account, there might still be a way to recover it. Here’s what you should do:

  1. Go to the Google Account recovery page. Enter the email associated with your account and click “Next.”
  2. Enter the password associated with this email address. If you don’t remember it, click “Try another way.”
  3. After a successful security check, you’ll be asked to create a new password for your Google Account. Hooray, it lives again!

Bottom Line

Deleting both your Gmail and Google Accounts is straightforward. You can do it on your laptop or mobile device—the steps are similar. There’s also a clear warning before the final stage after which there’s no turning back.

It turns out, you can actually recover your deleted Google or Gmail account. However, time is of the essence here. If only a few days have passed, there’s a chance you’ll be able to get your account back. The longer you wait, the less likely this recovery is. Therefore, it’s recommended to make a backup copy of your data. This way you’ll at least have all the information.

Finally, there are some things to remember before deleting your account. After your Gmail is gone, you won’t be able to log into any service that uses this email. Also, you won’t be able to recover forgotten passwords. And if you delete the Google account, your YouTube and Google Play will be gone too, including Chrome browser bookmarks.

FAQ

Can You Delete Your Gmail Account Permanently?

Yes, you can delete your Gmail account permanently. Don’t forget to download your emails and other data before doing that.

Can You Delete Your Gmail Account from Your Phone?

Yes. You can delete both Gmail and Google accounts from your Android or iPhone.

Can You Delete a Gmail Account Without a Password?

No. You have to log into your account in order to delete it permanently.

Can I Recover My Deleted Google Account?

Yes, but only if you deleted your account recently. Just go to the Google Account Recovery page and follow the instructions.

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