Tired of YouTube? In this guide, we’ll teach you how to delete your YouTube account in just a few quick steps.
Before we begin, it’s important to recognize that even though there are a couple of different methods for deleting your account, they are both permanent. They will delete certain aspects of your online history, which can never be recovered.
If you’re happy with that and you’re sure that just changing your YouTube account name won’t help, read on.
Just YouTube, or Google too?
With the way Google accounts are linked across different services, there are levels to how much of your account you might actually want to delete. You can remove your YouTube channel, which deletes all of your videos, comments, messages, and playlists, but the account itself will still remain accessible. Or you can go the whole hog and remove the account from Google’s records entirely.
Consider well which route you want to go down, and then pick one of the following instruction sets to follow.
Delete your YouTube channel (and other associated content): Desktop method
Step 1: Log into YouTube Studio using the account of the channel you want to delete. Then choose Settings from the left side of the screen.
Step 2: On the next screen, choose Channel and then select the Advanced Settings tab.
Step 3: Under Advanced Settings, scroll down until you see the Remove YouTube Content option. Click on that option. This will open another tab and you’ll be asked to sign into your account again. Go ahead and do so.
Step 4: Click on the option labeled I Want to Permanently Delete My Content. Selecting this option will expand it into a short explanation of what this decision actually means with a check box next to it. Read the explanation and then select the check box if you understand it and still want to delete your YouTube channel.
Step 5: If you’re absolutely sure that you want to delete your YouTube channel, go ahead and click on the blue Delete My Content button.
Delete your YouTube channel (and other associated content): For Android
Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your device. Tap on your profile picture icon in the top right corner of your screen. Select Manage Your Google Account.
Step 2: Tap on Data and Personalization.
Step 3: Under the section labeled Download, Delete, or Make a Plan for Your Data, select Delete a Service or Your Account.
Step 4: On the next screen, tap Delete a Service. You’ll be prompted to log in again. Do so. Afterward, you’ll be given the option to download your data before deleting your YouTube channel. If you want to do so, tap on Download Data. If you’re ready to delete your YouTube channel, tap on the trashcan icon next to YouTube.
Step 5: You’ll be asked to log in again. Do so. Then tap on the option labeled I Want to Permanently Delete My Content. Selecting this option will expand it into a short explanation of what this decision actually means with a check box next to it. Read the explanation and then select the check box if you understand it and still want to delete your YouTube channel.
Step 6: When you’re ready to delete your YouTube channel, tap on the blue Delete My Content button.
Delete your YouTube channel (and other associated content): For iOS
Delete your Google account
One final warning — unless it’s not clear, this will delete your Google account. All of it! That means your Gmail, Google Docs information, and everything else. Be very, very sure you want to do this.
Step 1: Navigate to myaccount.google.com and log into your account if you haven’t already done so.
Step 2: Select Data & Personalization from the left side of your screen.
Step 3: Scroll down until you see the section labeled Download, Delete, or Make a Plan For Your Data. Then select Delete a Service or Your Account.
Step 4: On the next screen, under Delete Your Google Account, select Delete Your Account.
Step 5: You’ll be prompted to log into your account. Do so.
Step 6: On the next screen, you’ll be presented with a long, warning explanation of all the possible consequences of deleting your Google Account. Read this carefully and make sure that you still want to do this. This page also presents you with the option to download your data before you delete your account. You’re also presented with two check box statements. Tick both of these boxes if you’re ready to delete and you understand the consequences of deleting your account.
Step 7: Once you’re ready to delete your Google account, click on the blue Delete Account button.
That’s it! Your account is now deleted.
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