How to Easily Reactivate Inactive Gmail and Google Accounts in 2023
Starting December 1, 2023, Google will begin deleting inactive Personal Gmail and Google Accounts. This includes everything associated with those accounts: emails, photos, files, Google Docs, and more. If you’re looking for quick answers on how to protect your data and keep your account active, we’ve outlined everything you need to know right here.
Why Is Google Deleting Inactive Accounts?
As announced on May 16, 2023, by Ruth Kricheli, VP of Product Management at Google, this policy is about protecting users. Google’s research revealed that inactive accounts are at least 10 times less likely to use two-step verification, making them a target for spam, phishing, and fraud. Eliminating these dormant accounts reduces security risks and limits Google’s need to retain unused personal data.
What Qualifies as an Inactive Gmail or Google Account?
Any Google Account that hasn’t been used in two years is at risk of deletion. That includes unused Gmail, Drive, Photos, Docs, Calendar, and more. If you created an account but never used it, that one’s in immediate danger.
Exceptions: Business, school accounts, and accounts with YouTube content are currently safe.
Want Quick Answers on How to Stay Active?
Here’s what counts as activity to avoid deletion:
Logging into your Google Account
Sending or reading an email
Using Google Drive
Watching a YouTube video
Downloading from Google Play
Using Google Search while signed in
Signing in to a third-party app with your Google Account
How to Tell Google When to Mark Your Account as Inactive
If you want full control, visit the Inactive Account Manager:
Sign in and make sure the correct Google Account is selected.
Click “Start” to begin.
Choose your preferred inactivity period (up to 18 months or more).
Add your phone number for SMS verification.
Provide a recovery email to receive updates.
(Optional) Add up to 10 people to be notified if your account goes inactive.
Ensure the “delete inactive account” toggle is turned off—it should be gray.
Review your plan and confirm your settings.
You’ll now get reminders before Google takes any action, giving you ample opportunity to keep your account alive.
Can Google Still Delete My Account After Two Years?
Even if you’ve gone through the Inactive Account Manager, Google’s general policy still allows them to delete data for accounts with two years of inactivity. So yes, the risk is still there. That’s why it’s crucial to stay proactive.
Final Quick Answers
Best protection: Log in to each Google Account you want to keep.
Need more security? Set up a recovery email and enable two-factor authentication.
Have unused files? Move them to your active account.
If you’re still unsure, revisit your settings every few months—or set a reminder. And if you want quick answers like this on other digital cleanup topics, let us know what you’d like covered next.
