First, go to your profile picture on the top right and click on it.
Then click on “Manage your Google Account“.
Click on the “Data & privacy“ option on the left side menu.
Scroll down until you find “Delete your Google Account“.
(Under More options).
@Author
WAIT! ✋
What are we deleting exactly?
Will this delete YouTube as well?
@Reader
Yes … Please note:
Deleting the account will erase all data, emails, files, and access to Google services.
If you want to delete only Gmail Service, feel free to jump to that part down below.
For now, go ahead and re-enter your password when prompted.
After entering your password, it will take you to the confirmation page.
On this page, you can download your entire data (it’s good practice), just in case.
Just click on the giant “Download your data“ button. 👇
Scroll down a bit … you will see all the services/content that you are deleting.
If everything is looking good, tick the confirmation check boxes.
And finally click on “Delete Account“.
Success! 😎
That’s how to delete a Gmail account!
@Author
How long does it take to delete a Google account?
@Reader
After initiating the deletion process for a Google Account, it generally takes around 2 Months for Google to completely remove all associated data.
This includes an initial period of up to 1 Month where the data is no longer visible but still stored in case of unintentional deletion, (followed by another month for the data to be securely and thoroughly erased from Google’s storage systems).
@Author
Okay, so what if I want to recover it back?
@Reader
According to Google, if you change your mind later, you may not be able to retrieve it after a specific timeframe has passed.
But you can still recover it shortly after deletion.
And enter your email as if you are signing in normally.
It will say “Account Deleted”.
Good, just press “Next“.
Again, enter your password/2fa and click on “Next“.
Click on “Continue”.
Congrats!
You have now recovered your Google Account.
If you now click on “Continue“ or “Secure my account”, you’ll see that you are successfully signed in to your account.
Sweet!
@Author
So, how long is this recovery Window?
@Reader
Google doesn’t give an exact timeframe for how long you can recover a deleted account. Their official statement says “after a certain amount of time” … 💀
Typically, complete deletion occurs within a few weeks to around two months. So that’s your window of opportunity to recover your account.
@Author
Oh, you also mentioned you’ll show me
How to delete the Gmail service only …
@Reader
Alright, let’s get into that …
How To Delete A Gmail Account Service Only
In that same Data & Privacy Page, scroll down until you find “Delete a Google Service“ (under “Download or delete your data”).
Sign in like before.
On the next page, Click on the Trash Icon for Gmail.
It will ask you to enter the email address to use for the other services since you’re deleting this gmail address.
Also, please note that you can’t use @gmail.com address here 🤷♂️ … it must be something else like a business account.
Click on “Understood“.
Gmail will shoot a link to your new email so you can finish deleting your gmail service.
Which will take you to this page 👇
Scroll down and tick “Yes“, then finally click on “Delete Gmail“.
Hoowee!
Now you have deleted only Gmail, and you can use the other Google Services using the new email.
How To Delete A Gmail Account From My Phone (iOS or Android)
It’s pretty much the same once you’re on the Data & Privacy page. But let me show you how to get there on the Gmail app.
Open Gmail and tap that hamburger menu icon in the top left corner. Then, scroll down and tap on “Settings“.
Tap on your account/email address then “Manage your Google Account“.
Go to the “Data and privacy” tab.
Tap on “Delete your Google account“.
From this point forward the process is exactly the same as before.
@Author
Thankyou!
@Reader
FAQs
•••
Can you delete an email account?
Yes, you can delete an email account permanently by following the account provider’s deletion process. For Gmail, you can follow this guide.
How do I delete my full Gmail account?
Click on your profile picture and select “Manage your Google Account”. Choose “Data & privacy” from the left side menu. Find “Delete your Google Account” under More options. Re-enter your password. Download your data (optional) on the confirmation page. Review the content you’re deleting and tick the confirmation checkboxes. Click “Delete Account”.
What happens when I delete my Gmail account?
Deleting your Gmail account will permanently remove all emails, contacts, and settings associated with the account. You will no longer be able to send or receive emails using that address.
Can I recover a deleted Gmail account?
Google provides a short grace period (usually around 2 Weeks, and sometimes up to 2 Months) during which you can recover a deleted Gmail account. After this period, the account and its data will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Summary
Deleting a Gmail account is a permanent action so take a sec to think it over before you pull the plug.
Save any important stuff you wanna keep.
Change your email for any accounts linked to Gmail.
