2 Easy Ways to Permanently Delete (or, Hide) Your YouTube Channel

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A user-friendly guide to removing your YouTube content and deleting your channel permanently

Co-authored by Timothy Linetsky and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: January 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using the Mobile App

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Using Desktop

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Video

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Q&A

Do you want to delete your YouTube account? All YouTube accounts are linked to Google, so you'll just need to go into your Google settings to do so. Keep in mind that deleting your YouTube content and channel is permanent; you won't be able to recover this data afterwards. This wikiHow will show you how to delete a YouTube channel and account using your computer, iPhone, or Android device.

How to Delete Your YouTube Channel

Log into your Google Account.
Click Data & Privacy → Apps and Services → Delete a Service.
Select Delete a Google Service, then click the trash can icon next to YouTube.
Click I want to permanently delete my account.
Check all the boxes in the dialog box and select Delete my content.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Mobile App

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1
Open the YouTube app. This looks like a red play button with a white background. YouTube is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.
- If you aren't already signed in, tap the profile picture in the top-right corner to do so now.
- Use this method to permanently erase your YouTube account and its content. You won't be able to recover this data once you delete it.
2
Tap your profile picture. This will be in the top-right corner.
- A menu will open.
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This will be in blue, underneath your email and YouTube handle.
You can find this tab at the top, next to Personal info.
This will be underneath the Your data & privacy options header.
This will be below the Data from apps and services you use header.
You can find this underneath Download your data.
8
Tap Delete a service again. This will be the first section.
- As a security measure, you may be asked to log in again. Enter your password to do so now.
You should see the number of videos uploaded underneath the YouTube header.
10
Tap the arrow next to "I want to permanently delete my content". This will expand the section. You'll see a list of content that will be permanently deleted. Any active subscriptions, such as YouTube Premium, will also be cancelled.
- Alternately, you can tap I want to hide my channel. This will only delete your comments and replies while your other content remains private.
You must check all the boxes to confirm your understanding of the permanent deletion.
12
Tap Delete my content. This is the blue button at the bottom of the section.
- A pop-up window will open.
13
Enter your email address and tap Delete my content. Use the email associated with your YouTube account. This is to verify you are deleting the correct data.
- Your data will be deleted. This usually takes a few minutes, but it may take days if you have a lot of content.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Desktop

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1
Go to https://google.com/account in a web browser. All YouTube accounts are linked with a Google account. If you aren't already signed in, enter your email address and password to do so now.^{[1]
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- Use this method to permanently erase your YouTube account and its content, including videos, comments, playlists, history, and more. You won't be able to recover this data once you delete it.
This will be on the left panel, underneath Personal info.
3
Click the arrow next to "Apps and services". This will be below the Data from apps and services you use header.
- You can scroll down to find this section, or click the section title underneath Your data & privacy options to be redirected there.
4
Click Delete a service. This will be the right tile at the top of the page.
- A new page will open.
5
Click Delete a service. This will be the left tile at the top of the page.
- As a security measure, you may be asked to log in again. Enter your password to do so now.
You should see the number of videos uploaded underneath the YouTube header.
7
Click the arrow next to "I want to permanently delete my content". This will expand the section. You'll see a list of content that will be permanently deleted. Any active subscriptions, such as YouTube Premium, will also be cancelled.
- Alternately, you can click I want to hide my channel. This will only delete your comments and replies while your other content remains private.
You must check all the boxes to confirm your understanding of the permanent deletion.
9
Click Delete my content. This is the blue button at the bottom of the section.
- A pop-up window will open.
10
Enter your email address and click Delete my content. Use the email associated with your YouTube account. This is to verify you are deleting the correct data.
- Your data will be deleted. This usually takes a few minutes, but it may take days if you have a lot of content.

Community Q&A

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Question

What are the dangers of deleting a YouTube account?

Community Answer

Deleting your YouTube account means you will lose your channel, and your videos and comments will be deleted forever.

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Not Helpful 8 Helpful 40
Question

What if I have a brand account? Will that be deleted as well?

Community Answer

You cannot fully delete a brand account, you can only hide it.

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Thank you for your feedback.
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Question

If I delete my YouTube channel, will my videos be deleted as well?

Community Answer

Yes, your videos will also be deleted from YouTube, because they are linked to your YouTube channel.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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