Closing Old Email Accounts: Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook & More

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Step-by-step guide to closing various email accounts
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Do you have old email accounts that you want to delete? Before you delete them, take the proper steps to secure any information that you have saved to your old email addresses. Send a mass email to your contacts, updating them with your new contact information. Find out how to set up email forwarding or automated messages to help ease your transition from that email. Read on to learn more about deleting old email accounts.

Quickly Delete Your Old Email Accounts

Use the email address's main website (Google for an @gmail account; Yahoo for an @yahoo account) to delete your email address. You can also remove old email addresses you no longer use from mail clients, like Mail on iPhone or Outlook.

Section 1 of 8:

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  1. Going to this site will open your Google account in a new tab.
    • While you can remove an old email account on your phone or tablet, it's easier to do from a computer.
    • You can delete an email as long as you have another email associated with that Google account.
    • Use this method to delete your Gmail instead of your entire Google account.
  2. You'll see this on the left side of your web browser window.
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  3. It's in the "Data from apps and services you use" section with "Download or delete your data."
    • If you haven't already, click Download your data to create a backup of everything before you delete the email.
  4. This trash can icon will delete your Gmail account.
  5. If you want to enter your new address here, you can. Just know that you can't use another Gmail address.
    • You'll use this email address to sign into Google Play, Docs, Calendar, and other Google services.
  6. It's in the lower right corner of the pop-up window and will send an email to the one you provided with a verification link.
  7. You won't be able to sign into your Google account with the new email address until it's verified. [1]
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Section 2 of 8:

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  1. You can get to the account termination page by clicking here .
    • Since a Yahoo! Account is only an email account, you'll have to delete the whole account to delete your email address.
  2. You'll see how long your account will remain deactivated before it's deleted, as well as other account information.
    • Note that any subscriptions that you have associated with that email will not be canceled when you delete your email account.
  3. You need to confirm the email address and account that you're deleting.
    • Click Got it to finish and close the window.
    • Depending on your area, the account will be deactivated before it's deleted; you can reactivate the account by logging in again. [2]
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Section 3 of 8:

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  1. Tap the icon next to Inbox at the top of your screen, then tap the gear icon at the bottom.
  2. It's under the "General" header.
  3. You'll see this in "Accounts".
  4. It's at the bottom of the menu in red text. Tap Remove again to confirm this action. [3]
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Section 4 of 8:

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  1. Click the gear icon in the top right corner of the Outlook application window.
  2. It's to the right of the email you want to get rid of from Outlook.
  3. If you still want to get emails from that address on your tablet, for example, you'd choose Remove from this device. However, if you don't use that email address anymore, you can select Remove from all devices.
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Section 5 of 8:

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  1. You can find it here . You'll need to log in to continue.
    • Note that tied accounts, like Skype, OneDrive, and Xbox, will also be deleted and cannot be recovered.
    • From that site, you can download important information, like your health records. You can also choose how long your account will remain deactivated before it's deleted (30 or 60 days).
  2. You'll be able to select a reason for deleting the account before completing the steps. [4]
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Section 6 of 8:

Removing an Email Address from iOS

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  1. Tap the app icon that features a gear.
    • You can remove iCloud Mail or any mail account from iPhone, iPad, or any Apple device.
  2. If you have an older iOS, you can skip this step. "Apps" is at the very bottom of the Settings menu.
  3. If you're using older than iOS 18, "Mail" will be in the main Settings Menu under "Passwords."
  4. This option should be near the top of the Mail menu.
  5. More options for that email address will open.
  6. You may even have the option to select Delete Account . [5]
    • You can always add the account back if you want it back.
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Section 7 of 8:

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  1. You can find the page to delete your account here .
    • Since your iCloud Mail is connected to your Apple ID, you won't be able to delete your iCloud address without deleting your entire Apple ID.
    • Sign in if prompted.
    • Verify with a text message, if prompted.
  2. It's at the very bottom of the page and will load a new page that lists what happens when you delete your account.
    • Note that you will no longer be able to use Apple services with your deleted iCloud account.
  3. You'll be presented with more warnings, including how much space and possible data you're losing, and another warning that you won't be able to sign into Apple.
    • Click Continue to proceed to the next page.
  4. You can print or download a copy of the Deletion Terms and Conditions after you read and agree to them.
  5. You'll see your contact information, like your email address and phone number, listed so you can choose how to receive further communication.
    • Select one, then click Continue .
  6. You'll want to save this code so you can give it to Apple Support if you ever need to talk to them in regards to closing your account.
    • You can print, download, or write it down.
    • Click Continue to proceed.
  7. You need to confirm you have it before you can delete your account.
  8. You will see a reminder of everything that deleting an account entails.
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Section 8 of 8:

Tips to Leave Old Emails

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  1. Save those documents to your computer or cloud storage. Before you close your account, make sure that you look through any places in your email where old pictures, files, or documents are stored. Additionally, look through old emails for any email exchanges that you may want to save. Some of these documents might be valuable to you. [6]
    • If you are going to close your entire account, not just your email, and have a Microsoft account: Live, Msn, Hotmail, or Outlook, you should save or download any of your documents or files saved to your OneDrive. Or if you have any information on your Xbox, make sure it is backed up before you close your Microsoft account. None of the progress that you have made on your games or scores will be saved after you close your account.
  2. First, sign into the account website in order to see if you have any money in your account. [7] . You may have loaded money onto your account for a variety of reasons. For example, you may have put money in your account to call abroad when you were out of the country.
    • If you have a Microsoft account, spend the money on digital content in the Windows Store, the Windows Phone Store, or Xbox before you close your account.
    • Likewise, other providers like Google will have stores where you can purchase media before you close your account.
  3. Product keys are for products you purchased through Microsoft. A product key is the 25-character code that comes with a Microsoft product and allows you to activate your product. In case you have to reinstall your product, you should save this code. Also, if you have passwords for websites or services saved on your email, do a search for passwords, and save those in a new document/ location.
    • If you purchased any products like Microsoft Office online, you had to purchase it through an email account [8]
    • Try typing “product key” or @DIGITALRIVER.COM, @TRY.OFFICEFORMAC.COM, or BUY.OFFICEFORMAC.COM into the search bar to find the email with the product key code and the order number. [9] Save the entire email in a new document and location.
  4. Let your friends, family, and professional contacts know how to reach you. Go to the contacts page in your email, and select the boxes next to each contact that you want to notify that you are closing your account. Then select “Email” in the group details pane if you have Gmail. [10]
    • Write an email that informs your contacts that you are closing your account, and give them a new email address so that they can reach you.
    • Ask your contacts to update their contact information to your new email address.
  5. If you are going to close the whole account, not just your email, make sure you cancel your subscriptions. For example, if you have a Microsoft account, you may have OneDrive or Office 365 subscriptions. Sign into your Microsoft account website, and go to "Services and subscriptions". Cancel any of the paid subscriptions you have, and follow the instructions to unsubscribe.
    • If you have any other subscriptions through your email account but not with your service, go to the support page of any services or retailers you have subscriptions with, for example, Skype. Locate the information for how to cancel your subscription, and follow the necessary steps. [11]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I close a Yahoo account?
    Community Answer
    Log on to your Yahoo account and then click on Help. Under "Browse by Topic" click on "Create or delete account." Follow the instructions on the next page. It is not a simple process.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
  • Question
    I have made a new email account and I want to delete previous one. How do I do this?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the platform. Usually, just enter your preferences and you should find a delete account option in the account settings near the bottom. If not, there should be a way to contact customer support and ask them to delete your account.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How do I close an old email address?
    Community Answer
    Log in and go to the settings. Based on your server, you should find an option to delete the account.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/32046?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://help.yahoo.com/kb/close-reactivate-yahoo-account-sln2044.html
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-remove-my-email-account-c5b54cfc-40de-4d8b-ada0-cd1099598975
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/how-to-close-your-microsoft-account-c1b2d13f-4de6-6e1b-4a31-d9d668849979
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/add-and-remove-email-accounts-iph44d1ae58a/18.0/ios/18.0
      6. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/closing-microsoft-account
      7. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/closing-microsoft-account
      8. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/what-is-product-key
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2279109
      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8824?hl=en
      2. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/closing-microsoft-account

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