Google May Delete Your Gmail Account: Here's How to Prevent It

When was the last time you logged into your Gmail account? It's worth checking if you still need it.

Many people have been using the same Google account and email for several years, and it may seem like this relationship will last forever. But the tech giant has different plans and is carrying out a major purge of user accounts. Here's how to prevent your account from being deleted.

Last year, Google announced it would begin deleting inactive accounts — accounts that haven't been active for more than 24 months. According to some users, these purges began as early as December 2023. "This policy applies to personal Google Accounts. It does not apply to Google Accounts set up through your work, school, or other organizations," states Gmail's official website.

It's clear: Google wants to free up space on its servers by deleting inactive accounts. Users often create multiple accounts to use specific email addresses for signing up for local internet services or networks, but Google isn't fond of this. Additionally, Google cites security risks as a reason for the purge, since inactive accounts are more susceptible to hacking.

If you realize after reading this article that you haven't logged into your Google account for a long time, protecting it is easy. Just log in and open an email or a file in Google Drive. For added security, you can send an email to your other account or a friend's. Ultimately, any activity on your Google account will help protect it from being deleted by Google's automated system. It only takes a few seconds to log in and complete these simple steps.

What happens if my account is deleted? You'll lose access to your email, as well as any files stored on Google Drive. To avoid this, just follow the steps mentioned above to keep your account active.

In addition to losing emails and files, if your Google account is linked to other services like Google Photos, YouTube, or the Play Store, you may lose valuable content such as photos, videos, and app purchases. This makes it even more critical to ensure your account remains active. Regular check-ins can save you from the hassle of losing important digital assets.

Finally, consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Google account. Not only does it provide extra protection against unauthorized access, but actively managing your account's security settings also signals that the account is in use, further reducing the risk of deletion.