Google has announced that it will start deleting inactive Gmail accounts on December 1, 2023. This policy applies to personal Google Accounts, and will not affect accounts for organizations like schools or businesses.

An inactive Gmail account is one that has not been used in two years. This means that you have not signed in to your Gmail account or sent or received any emails during that time.

Google says that it is deleting inactive accounts to free up space on its servers and to “keep your data safe and secure.” The company also says that it will send several reminders to users before their accounts are deleted.

How to keep your Google Account active

There are a few simple ways to keep your Google Account active:

• Sign in to your Gmail account at least once every two years. This can be done from any device, including your computer, phone, or tablet.
• Send or receive an email. Any email will count as activity, even if it is just a short message to yourself.
• Use another Google product, such as Google Drive, Google Maps, or YouTube. Any activity on a Google product will count towards keeping your account active.

What happens if my account is deleted?

If your Google Account is deleted, you will lose access to all of your data associated with that account, including your emails, contacts, photos, and files. You will also lose access to any Google products that you use with that account, such as Gmail, Google Drive, and YouTube.

How to recover a deleted account

Once a Google Account is deleted, it cannot be recovered. However, you can create a new Google Account with the same email address.

Tips for keeping your Google Account active

Here are a few tips for keeping your Google Account active:

• Set up a calendar reminder to sign in to your Gmail account at least once every two years.
• Use your Google Account to sign in to third-party websites and apps.
• Make purchases with your Google Account.
• Use other Google products, such as Google Drive, Google Maps, or YouTube.

If you have any inactive Gmail accounts that you want to keep, be sure to sign in to them before December 1, 2023.