You'll receive an email when Google is done preparing the files. It can take a few hours, or even days, according to Google to get all of your information gathered and ready to download. Select the type and size of the files you want to receive.įinally, click Create export and then wait. Since you're closing your account, just stick with the default selection or Export once.
You can have Google automatically place the files in another cloud storage service (current options are Dropbox, OneDrive and Box, in addition to Google Drive), or have Google email you a link to download the data once it's ready. The next section will ask how you want your data delivered. Take the time to go through the options for sections like Google Photos and ensure all of your photo albums will be included.Ĭlick Next Step at the bottom of the list. It's better to have the data and not need it than to need the data and not have it. Go through the list of the various services and apps that are linked to your Google account and uncheck the box next to anything you don't want to have a backup of. Start by going to the Google Takeout website and signing in to the account you want to close. Google's Takeout service makes it easy to download all the data linked to your Google account with just a few clicks.
It'd be a shame if you lost access to your bank account because you forgot to change your email address beforehand.īelow I'll walk you through backing up your Google account data and then point you in the right direction to close out your Google account.īack up all of your data before you close your account The key is to take the time to download a copy of all of your data, and double check that none of your online accounts use the Gmail address you're about to close. Whether you want to close your Google account over privacy concerns or you're trying to reduce the number of internet accounts you have, the process takes some effort and time, but can be done without much fuss.