How to Delete Your Gmail Account (Without Losing Data)
Having multiple email addresses is helpful, but it’s also helpful to know when someone needs to go. Deleting a Gmail address is easy, but there are a few things you should know and do before you get started, especially if you want to keep some of your old emails.
Download your data before deleting Gmail.
First, upload your data. You never know when you’ll need an old email or piece of information from your Gmail account, so you should just save it all just in case. Start by opening your Gmail account, then click your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. From there, click “Manage Google Account.” On the left side of the screen you will see several options. Tap Data & Privacy, then scroll to the Data from the apps and services you use section. You should see a Gmail button there.
Click on it and you will see two options: “Download your data” and “Delete service.” When you select the first one, you’ll be given a list of things you can download, from calendar data to contacts, your drive and, yes, your email. Check everything you want to download, but if your goal is to delete only your Gmail account and not your entire Google account, focus on mail. The download will include messages and attachments, as well as your user preferences. You’ll be prompted to continue to the next step, where you’ll choose how you want to receive your data—via email, Drive, or another service.
How to delete a Gmail address
Once this is done, you can proceed with the removal. In the same location where you initially chose to download your data, click on Remove Service. You will be prompted to enter your password and enter an existing non-Gmail address. An email will be sent to this email address containing a link to delete your account. You will be asked to confirm that you want to remove it, and that will be the end of it.
When you delete your Gmail account, your emails and mail settings will be deleted and you won’t be able to use them to send or receive emails. No one else will be able to use this address in the future. According to Google , if you change your mind, you may be able to get it back, but the guidelines are vague: “If some time has passed since your account was deleted, you may not be able to recover the data in your account. “It’s pretty obscure, so if you’re in any doubt at all, consider not deleting it.