Your old Google account could be gone forever—time is running out

Google has announced that accounts inactive for two years, including associated Gmail messages and Google Photos content, will be deleted starting April 3, 2025. Users are urged to sign into their accounts to avoid deletion.

The warning follows changes in Google’s inactive account policy, highlighted by Ruth Kricheli: “If an account hasn’t been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised.” Google found that abandoned accounts are at least ten times less likely than active accounts to have two-step verification set up, which increases their vulnerability to takeover attacks.

The notification email stated, “Your Google Account has not been used within a 2-year period. If you want to keep your Google Account, sign in to your Google Account before April 3, 2025. To protect user privacy and account data, Google will delete Google Accounts that are not used.” This deletion includes all content linked to the account, such as Gmail messages, photos, and documents.

We warned in December and here we are again, here’s how to protect your Google account…

The solution to prevent deletion is straightforward: actively use the account. Google considers account activity to include signing in, reading or sending emails, sharing photos, watching videos, or using Google Drive and Search.

Importantly, the inactive account policy applies only to personal accounts, not those for organizations such as schools or businesses. Google stated, “This update aligns our policy with industry standards around retention and account deletion,” limiting how long Google retains unused personal information. The policy indicates that inactivity is defined by not engaging with any of Google’s services over a two-year span.

To manage multiple Google accounts efficiently, users can utilize Google’s account switching function. Setting up additional accounts is easy by signing out of the current account and following the create account link on the sign-in page. Implementing two-factor authentication is recommended for security, along with using unique passwords and passkeys.

Google has confirmed plans to phase out SMS codes for two-factor authentication (2FA) for Gmail users, a move aimed at enhancing security. Gmail spokesperson Ross Richendrfer stated, “Just like we want to move past passwords with the use of things like passkeys, we want to move away from sending SMS messages for authentication.”

While no specific timeline is provided, the transition from SMS codes to QR codes is expected within the coming months. Users will scan a QR code displayed instead of receiving a six-digit code via SMS, which aims to reduce vulnerabilities associated with SMS messaging.

Featured image credit: Daniel Romero/Unsplash