How to Permanently Delete Your Gmail Account

There can be many reasons why you might consider deleting your Gmail account. It could be due to privacy and security concerns, switching to another email provider, or simply being fed up with spam emails. Whatever your reasons may be, we've got you covered with a step-by-step guide on how to permanently delete your Gmail account.

What Happens When You Delete Your Gmail Account

Before we dive into the deletion process, let's go over what happens when you delete your Gmail account:

  • You won't be able to send or receive emails anymore.
  • All your emails will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
  • Any websites, services, or subscriptions that you signed up for using your Gmail address will no longer be accessible or may be affected.
  • Any data stored in your Gmail account, such as contacts, calendars, and photos, will also be deleted.

Now that you understand the consequences, let's move on to the next steps.

Backup Your Gmail Data Before Deletion (Desktop)

Before deleting your Gmail account, it's always a good idea to have a backup of your data. Here's how you can download your Gmail data from your PC:

  1. Visit the Gmail website from any web browser and sign in.
  2. Click on your Profile Picture and select “Manage your Google Account.”
  3. Navigate to the “Data and privacy” section and look for “Apps and Services.” Select “A summary of your services and data.”
  4. Click on the “Download” button under the Gmail service. This will take you to a Google Takeout page in a new tab.
  5. Ensure “Mail” is selected and click the “Next step” button.
  6. Choose the file type, frequency, and transfer destination according to your preference. Then hit the “Create export” button.

Google will start the backup process, and once the file is ready, you will receive a download link on your Gmail account.

Backup Your Gmail Data Before Deletion (Mobile)

If you prefer to back up your Gmail data from your mobile device, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Gmail app on your iPhone or Android phone.
  2. Tap on your Profile Picture and select “Manage your Google Account.”
  3. Go to the “Data & privacy” section and select “Content saved from Google services” under Apps and services.
  4. Tap the “Download” button under the Gmail card.
  5. Ensure that the “Mail” option is selected and then hit the “Next step” button.
  6. Choose the file destination, frequency, file format, and file size. Once done, tap the “Create export” button.

Your backup process will begin.

How to Download Your Gmail Backup File

Once the backup process is complete, you can download your Gmail backup file by following these steps:

  1. As soon as the backup is ready to download, you will receive an email in your Gmail account. Open the email and find the download link.
  2. Tap the “Download your files” button, enter your Gmail password, and tap “Next.”
  3. Select your backup file and hit the “Download” button.

The download of your backup file will begin.

How to Delete Your Gmail Account (Desktop)

Now that you've downloaded your Gmail data and created a backup, it's time to delete your Gmail account. Here's the complete process:

  1. Open Gmail in any browser and click on your Profile Picture. Choose “Manage your Google Account.”
  2. Go to the “Data & privacy” tab and scroll down to find the “Download or delete your data” card. Select “Delete a Google service.”
  3. Enter your password when prompted and click “Next.”
  4. Click on the “Delete” icon (dustbin icon) next to Gmail.
  5. Provide an alternative email address (not associated with Gmail) and click “Send verification email.”
  6. Open the email where you received the verification email and click on the link.
  7. If prompted, sign in to your Google account.
  8. Read the disclaimer carefully. Once you're sure you want to proceed, check the box next to “Yes, I want to delete…” and click “Delete Gmail.”

Google will initiate the deletion process, and your Gmail account will be permanently deleted.

How to Delete Your Gmail Account (Mobile)

Deleting a Gmail account from the mobile app follows a similar process. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Open the Gmail app on your phone.
  2. Tap on your Profile Picture and select “Manage your Google Account.”
  3. Navigate to the “Data & privacy” tab and scroll down to find the “Delete a Google service” option.
  4. Tap on it and enter your Gmail password.
  5. Tap the “Delete” icon (dustbin icon) next to Gmail.
  6. Provide an alternative email address (not associated with Gmail) and tap “Send verification email.”
  7. Open the email where you received the verification message and tap on the link.
  8. Sign in to your Gmail account if prompted.
  9. Check the box next to “Yes, I want to delete…” and tap “Delete Gmail.”

Your Gmail account will be permanently deleted.

FAQs

  1. Can I recover my Gmail account after I delete it?
    Unfortunately, no. Once you delete your Gmail account, it cannot be recovered, and the email address becomes unavailable for your use or anyone else's.

  2. What if I have a paid subscription to a Google service?
    If you delete your Gmail account, you'll lose access to any paid subscriptions. It's advisable to cancel your subscriptions before deleting your account to avoid any future renewals.

  3. Will I be able to use Google services like YouTube and Google Drive?
    Yes, even if you delete your Gmail account, you can still access your YouTube and Google Drive accounts. Your uploaded videos and files stored on Google Drive will remain unaffected.

Say Goodbye to Your Gmail Account

Deleting your Gmail account is a straightforward process, but it's essential to back up any important information before proceeding. Consider the impact on connected services and subscriptions. We hope this guide has helped you successfully delete your Gmail account.