Email is a popular method of communication, both personally and professionally. Despite the rise of other communication platforms, the number of email users is still rising, with 4.37 billion email users expected in 2023. This number represents half of the global population.

However, what are your options when you no longer use a specific email account? How do you get rid of email accounts you no longer use? In this article, we’ll look at how to delete an email account across different providers. 

Why Would You Want to Delete an Email Account?

There are a number of reasons to delete an email account. You may have multiple emails and decided to simplify things by deleting an email address. Alternatively, you might want to consider deleting an email you no longer use to keep it from being hacked and exposing your private emails. 

In many cases, you probably created your first email account while you were still young. You may have even chosen a funny email address. However, as you get older, this email address doesn’t reflect well on you, especially if you’re applying for jobs. You might want an address that appears more professional and decide to create a more adult account and delete the old one.

Businesses might start by using free email providers to manage their company emails. However, this is usually just temporary, as a professional email domain is much better for your reputation. So, once the business buys a domain and switches to domain email accounts, you’ll want to know how to delete the old email addresses. 

How to Delete a Gmail Account?

If you’re wondering how to delete a Gmail account, you’re in luck. You can follow this simple guide to delete your Gmail account permanently.

Step 1: Download Your Data (Optional)

Before you delete your Gmail account, you can first download your data. If you have any emails that you still want to keep but don’t want to keep the entire account, this is a good option. To do this, you just access your Google account and click on the ‘Data and privacy’ tab to the left of the screen. Next, you can scroll down to the bottom of the pages and click on the ‘Download or Delete your Data’ window. Click on ‘Download your Data.’

Data and privacy settings of Google account

Step 2: Select Which Data You Want to Download

Scroll through the list and choose what data you want to download to your device. Once you’ve selected everything you would like to hold onto, click on ‘Next Step.’

Google takeout - selecting data to download

Step 3: Choose How To Export Your Data

The next step is choosing how to export your data. You can choose where to export the data, the file type you prefer, and even the maximum file size. Make the selections that work for you and click on ‘Create Export’ to start the downloading process.

Google takeout -  choosing how to export your data

Step 4: Click on ‘Delete a Google Service’

Once you’ve downloaded the data you want to keep, you can click on the back arrow at the top of the page. By clicking the arrow, you’ll be taken to the ‘Data and Privacy’ page, where you can continue to delete your email. Scroll down again, and this time click on ‘Delete a Google Service.’

Deleting a Google service

Step 5: Choose an Email Account You Want to Delete and Confirm Your Choice

You’ll be asked to verify it’s you by signing in with your password. Once signed in, you’ll see a list of all your current Google services, including YouTube, Gmail, and even Games. Delete your account by clicking on the trashcan icon.

Choosing Gmail to delete

How to Delete a Yahoo Account?

Wondering how to delete a Yahoo email account? The steps required to delete a Yahoo email address are quite simple. Just follow the steps listed below.

Step 1: Log into the Yahoo Account Manager

Yahoo has a different process, and you need to open the following URL: https://edit.yahoo.com/config/delete_user

Step 2: Sign In to Your Account

Sign in to your account to proceed to the next step. 

Signing in to Yahoo account

Step 3: Delete Your Account

Read through the details of deleting your account, and once done, click on ‘I want to continue deleting my account.’ By deleting your account, the following data will be deleted: Yahoo! ID, emails, Address Book entries, Small Business information, Briefcase data, My Yahoo! GeoCities data,  information, HotJobs, and Flickr.

Deleting Yahoo account

How to Delete an Outlook Account

Looking for answers on how to delete an Outlook account? Follow the steps provided below to completely delete your Outlook email.

Step 1: Click on ‘File’ with Outlook Open’

Open your Outlook client and click on your initials in the upper right corner. Click on ‘My Microsoft account’ or sign in with a different account you want to remove.

Step 2: Access Your Profile

Click on ‘Your info’ and then scroll down.

Step 3: Close account

Scroll down to the Account info section and click on the ‘Close account’ link.

Step 4: Delete the Account

You’ll get to Microsoft’s support page with further instructions. Follow the steps to close your account.

How to Delete an iCloud Email Account?

So, you’re probably wondering how do you delete an email account on iCloud? The process is a little different on iCloud, but once you’ve followed the steps provided below, you’ll see how easy it is. However, it’s vital to note that you cannot delete your iCloud account without deleting the entirety of your Apple ID. As such, you might want to download any files you would like to retain. You can also remove any other devices, such as your Mac or iPhone, so that you can link them to the new email later on.

Step 1: Sign in to your iCloud Mailbox

Sign in to your iCloud using your Apple ID. You can also log in using your Face ID or Touch ID if those are enabled.

Sign in to iCloud

Step 2: Navigate to the Apple ID Account Page

On the main screen, navigate down and click on ‘Go to your Apple ID Account Page.’ You’ll find this option under the ‘Manage Account’ section.

Step 3: Click on ‘Privacy‘

Next, scroll down until you find the ‘Privacy’ section; click on it.

Step 4: Manage Your Data

Scroll down for the section Your Data, Data and Privacy Page. Find and follow the link, ‘Manage your data.’

Privacy in iCloud account

Step 5: Click on ‘Request to Delete Your Account‘

You’ll be given a number of different options to choose from, including getting a copy of your data. Towards the bottom will be an option to delete your account. Click on this option.

Delete your account

Step 5: Confirm Your Decision

Learn thoroughly all the sequences of account deleting. Confirm your decision if you are sure.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve shared how to delete an email account from Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, and iCloud, you can start removing an email address you no longer use and make space for the new one.
Do you want to get the most from your new email account? Why not install the Free Email Tracker for Gmail by PandaDoc? This handy email tracking tool makes it possible to see if someone’s read your email and when it was last opened.

FAQs

  • Yes, most email clients offer ways to delete an email address. This option can usually be found in your account settings, often under the ‘Data and Privacy’ or similar sections.

  • You can permanently delete your email from the account setting section on most email providers. This process can take a few days before your email is completely deleted, depending on the provider you use. This period can range from seven to 120 days.

  • To remove an email from your Google Account, you need to access your account settings. Once here, you can click on the ‘Data and Privacy’ tab. Scroll down towards the bottom until you reach the section ‘Download or Delete Your Data.’ Once here, you can click on ‘Delete a Google Service’ and choose what you would like to remove.

  • Once you delete your email account, it’ll remove all data and content associated with that account. This can also include any photos, calendars, and other files. Also, when you delete certain email accounts, such as a Gmail or iCloud account, you won’t be able to access services where you sign in with that account, such as Google Play, etc.

FAQs

  • Yes, most email clients offer ways to delete an email address. This option can usually be found in your account settings, often under the ‘Data and Privacy’ or similar sections.

  • You can permanently delete your email from the account setting section on most email providers. This process can take a few days before your email is completely deleted, depending on the provider you use. This period can range from seven to 120 days.

  • To remove an email from your Google Account, you need to access your account settings. Once here, you can click on the ‘Data and Privacy’ tab. Scroll down towards the bottom until you reach the section ‘Download or Delete Your Data.’ Once here, you can click on ‘Delete a Google Service’ and choose what you would like to remove.

  • Once you delete your email account, it’ll remove all data and content associated with that account. This can also include any photos, calendars, and other files. Also, when you delete certain email accounts, such as a Gmail or iCloud account, you won’t be able to access services where you sign in with that account, such as Google Play, etc.