Whether you want to set up a new Gmail account, switch your email provider, or have an embarrassing username you want to get rid of, you may wonder how to delete a Gmail account. You’ll be happy to know this is a pretty straightforward process. However, certain factors can make it a bit more complicated.
In this detailed step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to delete a Gmail account using your computer or mobile device. We’ll also clarify uncertainties and explain the difference between removing and deleting your account.
What to Know Before Deleting Your Gmail Account
Before we provide instructions for deleting your Gmail account, it’s important to understand what that means.
- Deleting a Gmail account means you’re eliminating it for good. Once you press “Delete,” you can’t undo your decision (unless you’re very fast, but more on that later).
- You can save your emails and all the data using Google Takeout.
- Once you delete Gmail, you can continue using other Google apps and services like Google Play, Google Drive, Google Photos, etc.
- If someone tries to send an email to the account you deleted, they’ll receive a delivery failure notification.
- Deleting a Gmail account isn’t the same as deleting your entire Google account.
- When you delete a Gmail account, you can’t use it anymore to reset passwords.
- You can’t send or receive email at the Gmail address you deleted.
- Deleting the Google Drive or Gmail app doesn’t automatically delete your Gmail account.
- Uninstalling Google Play doesn’t delete your Gmail account.
How Do I Delete a Gmail Account Using a Computer?
The process of deleting a Gmail address (account) varies depending on whether you’re using a computer or a mobile phone. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter whether you’re using a Mac or a Windows computer. Once again, don’t forget to download your emails and data before deleting the Gmail account.
Here’s how to delete your Gmail account:
- Open your browser and log in to your Google account. If you’re already logged in, press your profile icon at the top-right corner.
- Choose “Manage your Google Account.”
- Press “Data & privacy” on the left.
- Scroll down until you see the “Download or delete your data” section. Here, choose “Delete a Google service.” You may be required to sign in by entering your email address and password to confirm your identity and prevent hackers from making decisions on your behalf. Now, press the trash can icon next to “Gmail.”
- Enter a new email address that will be associated with your Google account. Ensure to enter a valid address you’re already using because you’ll need to access it to complete the process.
- Click on “Send verification email.”
- Go to your other Gmail address, open the email, and follow the deletion link. Confirm you want to delete your Gmail address and click “Delete Gmail.”
How Do I Delete a Gmail Account Using an iPhone or Another iOS Device?
If you’re an iPhone user, you’ll be happy to know you can delete your Gmail address with your device. Follow the instructions below to do it:
- Launch the Gmail app.
- Select the hamburger menu at the top-left corner.
- Scroll down, tap “Settings,” and choose the Gmail address you want to delete.
- Press “Manage your Google account.”
- Tap “Data & privacy” at the top and choose “Delete a service or your account.”
- Click on “Delete a service,” and a Google service list will appear. Select Gmail and choose the trash bin icon next to it.
- Enter a new email address you’ll use for your Google account. You’ll need to know the password for this email address because you’ll need to access it in the following steps.
- Choose “Send verification email.”
- Log in to Gmail using your new address, open the email, and click on the deletion link. Confirm you want to delete your Gmail address and tap “Delete Gmail.”
Once again, remember that you won’t delete your Google account by deleting your Gmail.
How Do I Delete a Gmail Account Using an Android?
If you’re using an Android phone and want to delete Gmail, here’s what you need to do:
- Launch your menu and press the gear icon to open settings.
- Scroll down and go to Google.
- Tap “Manage your Google Account.”
- Go to the “Data & privacy” tab at the top.
- Scroll down and find the “Download or delete your data” section. Here, select “Delete a Google service.” You’ll need to verify it’s you by entering your Gmail password.
- Select the trash can icon next to Gmail.
- Choose a new email address you’ll use for your Google account. Keep in mind that you’ll need to access it in the following steps, so double-check whether you know the password.
- Choose “Send verification email.” Log in to Gmail using your new address, open the email, and click on the deletion link. Confirm you wish to delete your Gmail address and click “Delete Gmail.”
Once deleted, a Gmail address can be recovered for only a short period. So, if you want to recover it, you need to be quick.
Can I Recover My Old Gmail Address?
As mentioned, once you hit that “Delete account” button, your Gmail account will be gone. However, this isn’t always the case. A deleted Gmail account can be recovered, but only if you act fast.
Here’s how to try to recover a deleted Gmail account:
- Visit the Google recovery page.
- Enter the email address you wish to recover and choose “Next.”
If you receive a message that the entered Gmail account doesn’t exist, you won’t be able to recover it. However, if Google prompts you to enter your Gmail password, you’re in luck. Enter the last password you used to access your Gmail account, and if it’s correct, you’ll receive a success message and be able to recover it. Follow these instructions to complete the recovery process:
- Press the Google services and apps icon next to your profile picture.
- Choose “Gmail.” Enter your phone number, as you’ll need it to confirm your identity. Press “Submit.”
- Select the preferred verification method. You can opt for a text message or a phone call.
- Enter the verification code you received on your phone and confirm to regain Gmail account access.
What Is the Difference Between Deleting a Gmail Account and Removing a Gmail Account?
Email account terminology can be tricky, and if you’re not careful, you can make a mistake. Deleting and removing a Gmail account may sound similar, but the two terms have different meanings.
If you’re deleting a Gmail account, you’re removing it for good because you don’t want to use it anymore for whatever reason. A deleted account can’t be retrieved unless you act fast.
If you remove a Gmail account, it means you’re removing it from your device, but you’re not deleting it for good. You can remove a Gmail account if you’re selling your phone, don’t want to receive emails on that device, etc.
If you remove a Gmail account and decide to add it back after some time, you can do it without difficulty. Even after you remove a Gmail account from one device, you can still access it from other devices. Like with deleting, removing a Gmail account from your device doesn’t affect the entire Google account.
Removing a Gmail account is fairly easy. iOS users can use the Mail app, Gmail, or Safari to do it. If you’re using an Android device, you should be extra careful. Namely, Android phones use your email address to connect to Google Play and other Google services. Many apps are dependent on your email address. So, if you remove a Gmail account, you’ll lose access to the apps and Google Play.
Whether you’re using Gmail or another email service, one of the main concerns is security. You can enhance your security by using a password manager. The best password managers use encryption to ensure all your information is safe at all times. Plus, when you use a password manager, you don’t have to remember all your passwords. These apps provide you with easy access to your accounts and make managing multiple accounts a breeze.
Delete Gmail Accounts With Ease
If you no longer want to use a Gmail account, you can delete it using your iPhone, Android, or computer. Before you decide to delete Gmail, you’ll want to be certain of your decision. While a deleted Gmail account isn’t the same as a deleted Google account, it still means deleting all your emails for good.
Google account settings offer other options that aren’t as drastic.
