How to Delete Your YouTube Account

YouTube is a platform filled with creativity, entertainment, and content of all kinds. But if you’ve decided it’s time to step away, whether for a break, a fresh start, or a permanent goodbye, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through how to delete your YouTube account in a clear, easy-to-follow way.

What You Should Know Before Deleting Your YouTube Account

YouTube stores a lot of your data, including videos, playlists, comments, likes, and subscriptions. Once you delete your account, all of that is gone for good. So before taking that final step, there are a few things to think about.

Take time to back up any videos or data you want to keep. Once deleted, your account and content are not recoverable. Deleting your YouTube channel will not delete your Google account, so services like Gmail and Google Drive will remain untouched. If you’re unsure, YouTube also gives you the option to hide your channel instead.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Your YouTube Account

On Desktop

Sign in to YouTube using the Google account linked to your channel.
Click your profile icon in the top-right corner. Go to YouTube Studio, then Settings, Channel, and Advanced Settings.
Scroll to the bottom and click Remove YouTube Content. You may be asked to verify your password.
Select the option that says you want to permanently delete your content.
Check the confirmation boxes, then click Delete My Content. You may need to enter your email to confirm.

Everything tied to your channel videos, playlists, comments, and more will be permanently erased.

On Mobile

The YouTube mobile app doesn’t allow you to delete your account. However, you can open your browser, switch to desktop mode, and follow the same steps listed above.

How to Hide Your YouTube Account Instead

If you’re not sure about deleting your account permanently, hiding it is a great alternative. This keeps your data safe while removing your channel from public view.

Go to Remove YouTube Content, then choose the option to hide your channel. This hides your videos, playlists, and comments, but keeps your account active in the background. You can unhide your channel at any time by returning to the same settings.

How to Recover a Deleted YouTube Account

If you change your mind shortly after deletion, you might still have a chance to recover your account. YouTube typically offers a short window of up to around 30 days, where recovery might be possible if you contact support. After that, everything is gone and cannot be restored.

Things to Consider Before Deleting

Take a few final steps before hitting delete:

Use Google Takeout to back up your videos, playlists, history, and other data
It’s good advice to finalize AdSense payments, but deletion of content doesn’t affect pending payouts.
Let your subscribers or followers know you’re leaving and where else they can connect with you
Unlink any connected services such as Patreon, social media accounts, or analytics platforms
Take a short break before deciding to hide your account, it might give you the clarity you need

What Happens After You Delete Your YouTube Account

Once your account is deleted:

All your content, including videos, comments, likes, and playlists, will be gone permanently
Your Google account will remain active, and other services like Gmail or Google Drive will not be affected
Your channel name and URL may not be available for reuse
Some traces of your account might remain temporarily in cached searches or old embeds, but they will eventually disappear

Before You Delete

Take time to double-check everything:

Back up all important files using Google Takeout or download videos manually
Confirm any last monetization payouts
Disconnect any third-party tools that were linked to your channel
Give yourself a few days of space to reflect before finalizing deletion
If you’re unsure, hide your channel instead and come back to it later

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FAQs

Can I recover my account after deleting it?

Possibly, but only within a short time after deletion. After about 30 days, recovery becomes unlikely or impossible.

Does deleting my YouTube account delete my entire Google account?

No. Deleting your YouTube account only removes content on YouTube. Other Google services remain unaffected.

Can I hide my channel instead of deleting it?

Yes. Hiding your channel removes it from public view but keeps your content stored. You can restore it later if you change your mind.

How long does the deletion take?

Most content is removed immediately, but full deletion from YouTube’s systems may take a few days to complete.

What happens to comments I made on other videos?

Your comments may remain, but they will be displayed under a generic name rather than your original channel identity.

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