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How do I delete my GMail account?

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Summary: Gmail or Google Mail accounts can be quickly and easily deleted; we'll walk through the steps. Just remember: it's permanent.

How do I delete my GMail account?

Actually, if you look this up on GMail's own on-line help system you'll find pretty clear instructions.

Here's how you do it, though, with pictures.

Naturally you must be logged into your GMail account in order to be able to delete it. If you can't login you can't delete the account; it's that simple. This prevents just anyone from deleting your account.

"... there's no 'undo': once you delete your email account it's gone forever and cannot be restored."

Click on the Settings link at the top of the GMail page:

GMail Settings Link

Then click on the Accounts tab:

Gmail Settings, Accounts Tab

Part way down the resulting page in the section labeled Google Account settings, click on the link labeled Google Account settings:

Google Account settings link

On the resulting page is a column listing all the services that are available to your account. Click on the Edit link at the top of that list:

Google Account Settings Edit Link

The resulting page lists your options:

Google Delete a Service Page

Click on the link that matches what you're attempting to do.

Remember that GMail is just one service associated with your account. Even though your account may be associated with a GMail email name, that same account may be used for many other Google services not related to email.

Also be aware that if you cancel your GMail account, those other Google services may no longer be able to send you email until you establish a new email address with them. The same is true, actually, for any service, company or contact when you delete an email address - they'll need to know your new one in order to contact you.

And finally, let's be clear: there's no "undo": once you delete your email account it's gone forever and cannot be restored. That includes all the email messages sent and received and your contacts as well. If there's anything you want to keep, be sure to back it up first.

Article C3338 - April 2, 2008

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Recent Comments
36 Comments

I noticed that in all the comments posted- you never respond to the ones about your instructions not working- especially when the account cannot be deleted- not just for me but for everyone whose ever posted about it- I understand you can only respond to so many of them but please respond to at least one of them in that specific category to help those people out

Posted by: zelda at December 24, 2009 11:19 AM

I got the instructions to delete gmail acct. I understand its permanent etc. HOWEVER, my question (and I tried finding on their website also) is WHAT happens to the msgs people keep sending ME. I know I won't be able to see them but do they get returned "undeliverable" or do the senders just think I'm ignoring them. I want to cancel a business acct but I want people to realize I've closed it and re-send to my personal acct. Does the question make sense? Thaks

Posted by: Edgar Henao at January 29, 2010 8:41 AM

HOW TO DELETE GMAIL FOR GOOD!?!?!?

I just deleted my account.. and it was deleted for good..
once you do everything up there..
when you go back to "gmail.com" as you try to log in.. up on the corner will have "setting" click there and you'll know what to do from there..
It will delete it for good.. =D
once u get done..
go to gmail.com and try to log in.. IT WON'T..
Good luck.. hope it helped

Posted by: Dianne at January 30, 2010 9:43 PM

EDGAR..

send urself an email, or msg.. and if u get anything back it's bc it's deleted for good..
if u don't.. then that's how it's going to look like for other ppl..

Posted by: Dianne at January 30, 2010 9:45 PM

I have tried and tried, following the directions to the letter---i can not remove "evil"gmail and anyone who to tell you that it is easy doesn't understand the obstacles that google has placed before anyone trying to remove gmail. I have no problem, until i have to put in "new email address"---WHAT DOES IT WANT ???
I am hugely frustrated !!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: perry mcfarland at February 23, 2010 10:10 AM

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