The steps to delete your 23andMe account

You can delete your 23andMe account through your account settings on the website or mobile app. The process takes a few minutes, but what happens to your DNA data depends on which deletion option you choose — and that choice matters.

Log into your 23andMe account, go to Settings (usually in the top right corner), then select Account. Look for a "Delete Account" or "Account Deletion" option. 23andMe will ask you to confirm your identity, usually by entering your password again. After confirmation, you'll see two deletion paths, and you must choose one before the account is actually removed.

Key Takeaways

  • 23andMe offers two deletion options: one that removes your account but keeps your DNA in their database, and one that removes both your account and your genetic data.
  • If you choose to delete your DNA data, 23andMe says the process takes up to 30 days to complete, though your account access ends immediately.
  • Deleting your account does not automatically remove your data from any DNA databases you may have already shared it with, such as GEDmatch or third-party research studies.
  • If you've used your DNA results for health insights or carrier screening, those reports will no longer be accessible after deletion.
  • You can download your raw DNA data before deletion if you want to keep a copy or transfer it elsewhere.

Understanding the two deletion options

When you reach the deletion screen, 23andMe presents two choices. The first option deletes your account but keeps your raw DNA data in 23andMe's database. Your login credentials stop working, your health reports disappear, and you can no longer access any of your results — but 23andMe retains the genetic information itself. This is the default or pre-selected option on most accounts.

The second option deletes both your account and your DNA data from 23andMe's systems. This is a more complete removal, but it takes longer. 23andMe states that deletion of genetic data can take up to 30 days after you confirm the request, though your account access ends right away. Choose this option if you do not want 23andMe to store your genetic information at all.

The distinction matters because 23andMe uses aggregated genetic data (with personal identifiers removed) for research and product development. If you want no part of that, even anonymized, you need the second option. If you simply want to stop using the service but don't mind that your DNA sequence exists in their database, the first option is faster.

Downloading your DNA data before you delete

Before you complete deletion, you can download your raw DNA data — the actual genetic sequence 23andMe generated from your sample. This file is useful if you want to upload your results to other genealogy or health sites like AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, or GEDmatch.

To download, go to Settings, then select "Download Your Data" (the exact label varies slightly by account type). 23andMe will email you a link to a compressed file containing your raw genetic data. This download is available whether you choose account deletion or data deletion, and you can do it anytime before your account is fully removed. After deletion is complete, you cannot retrieve this file from 23andMe, so download it first if you think you might want it later.

What deletion does not remove

Deleting your 23andMe account does not automatically remove your DNA from other services or databases. If you previously shared your results with GEDmatch, AncestryDNA, or any third-party research study, those organizations still have your data. You must contact them separately to request removal.

Similarly, if you participated in any 23andMe research studies, deletion of your account does not withdraw you from those studies or remove your data from research databases. You may need to contact 23andMe's research team directly to opt out of specific studies, especially if they have already used your data in published research.

Family members who have their own 23andMe accounts can still see DNA matches to you if they tested before your deletion, depending on your privacy settings at the time. Their accounts are separate from yours, so deleting your account does not affect their access to their own results.

Timing and what to expect after deletion

Account deletion is immediate — your login stops working right away, and you lose access to your health reports and DNA results. However, if you chose to delete your DNA data as well, the actual removal from 23andMe's servers takes up to 30 days. During that window, your data is flagged for deletion but may still exist in their systems.

23andMe does not send a confirmation email when deletion is complete, so you cannot verify the exact moment your data was removed. If you need proof of deletion for privacy or legal reasons, contact 23andMe's support team before you delete and ask what documentation they can provide.

If you change your mind after deletion

Once your account is deleted, you cannot reactivate it. If you want to use 23andMe again, you would need to create a new account and order a new DNA kit (or use a kit you already have at home, if it has not been processed yet). You cannot recover a deleted account or restore access to your previous results.

If you deleted your DNA data and later want those results back, you cannot retrieve them from 23andMe. Your only option would be to retest with a new kit, which costs money. This is why downloading your raw data before deletion is worth the two minutes it takes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my account but keep my health reports?

No. Deleting your account removes all access to your health reports, ancestry results, and DNA matches. If you want to keep your reports, you must keep your account active. You can adjust your privacy settings to limit who sees your information without deleting the account entirely.

Will 23andMe delete my data if I don't use my account for a long time?

No. 23andMe does not automatically delete inactive accounts. Your data remains in their system unless you manually request deletion. If you want your account removed, you must initiate the deletion process yourself.

Does deleting my account remove me from DNA matching with relatives?

Yes, from your end — you will no longer see DNA matches or be able to message relatives through 23andMe. However, relatives who tested before your deletion may still see you listed as a match on their accounts, depending on your privacy settings at the time of deletion.

What if I only want to delete my health data but keep my ancestry results?

23andMe does not offer a selective deletion option. You can delete your entire account or keep it, but you cannot remove just the health reports while preserving ancestry data. If you want to stop seeing health information, you can adjust your privacy settings to hide health reports without deleting your account.

How do I know if my DNA data was actually deleted?

23andMe does not send a confirmation when deletion is complete. If you need written proof that your data was deleted, contact 23andMe's support team before you delete your account and ask what documentation they can provide. Keep any response for your records.