Pokémon GO deletion is permanent and removes all your game progress

When you delete your Pokémon GO account, Niantic — the company that makes the game — removes your profile, all your Pokémon, your items, your Poké Coins, and your play history. You cannot recover any of this afterward. The deletion is final, even if you change your mind the next day.

The process itself is straightforward: you go into the game's settings, find the account deletion option, and confirm. But before you start, you need to understand what account you're actually deleting, because Pokémon GO can be tied to different login methods, and deleting one doesn't always delete the others.

Key Takeaways

  • Pokémon GO accounts are deleted through the in-game settings menu under "Delete Account," and the process is permanent with no recovery option.
  • Your Pokémon GO account is separate from your Google account or Apple ID, so deleting the game account does not delete your email or phone account.
  • If you logged in with Google or Apple ID, you must delete the Pokémon GO account itself; deleting those accounts separately will not remove your game data from Niantic's servers.
  • After deletion, Niantic keeps some data for legal and safety reasons, but your game profile and progress are removed within a few days.

The difference between deleting your game account and your login account

This is the most common source of confusion. You might log into Pokémon GO using your Google account, your Apple ID, or a Pokémon Trainer Club account. Deleting your Pokémon GO account does not delete any of those. Your Google account, Apple ID, and email address all remain intact.

Conversely, if you delete your Google account or Apple ID, your Pokémon GO account stays on Niantic's servers. You just lose the ability to log back in. This is why you need to delete the Pokémon GO account itself through the game's settings, not through your phone's account settings.

How to delete your account through the game

Open Pokémon GO and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Scroll down to the very bottom of the menu and tap "Settings." In Settings, scroll all the way down until you see "Delete Account." Tap it.

The game will show you a warning that explains deletion is permanent and lists what will be removed: your Pokémon, items, Poké Coins, and all progress. You'll see a checkbox that says something like "I understand that my account and all associated data will be permanently deleted." Check that box, then tap the red "Delete Account" button to confirm.

Niantic will send a confirmation email to the address associated with your account. Open that email and click the link inside it. This second confirmation step is required — just tapping the button in the game is not enough. Once you click the link in the email, your account deletion is complete.

What happens to your data after deletion

Your game profile, Pokémon, and progress are removed from Pokémon GO's servers within a few days. However, Niantic retains some information for legal reasons: transaction records, abuse reports, and data needed to prevent fraud or enforce their terms of service. This retained data is not tied to your playable account and cannot be used to restore your game.

If you were part of a Pokémon GO community group or Discord server, deleting your account does not remove you from those groups. You'll need to leave them separately if you want to.

If you want to keep your account but just take a break

Deletion is permanent, so if you might want to play again someday, consider just stopping instead. Your account will remain on Niantic's servers indefinitely if you don't log in. You can return months or years later and your Pokémon and items will still be there.

If you want to reduce how much data Pokémon GO collects while you're not playing, you can revoke the app's permissions on your phone. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Pokémon GO > Permissions and turn off location, camera, and contacts. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy and turn off Location Services for Pokémon GO. The app will still exist on your phone, but it won't track you.

Deletion issues and what to do if it doesn't work

The most common problem is not receiving the confirmation email. Check your spam and promotions folders first — it often lands there. If you still don't see it after 10 minutes, go back into the game and try the deletion process again. You can attempt it multiple times.

If you're locked out of your account and cannot access the game to start deletion, contact Niantic Support through their website. Go to support.pokemongo.nianticlabs.com, click "Contact Us," and select "Account & Login Issues." Explain that you want to delete your account and cannot log in. Niantic will verify your identity and delete it for you, though this can take several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Pokémon GO account without deleting my Google account?

Yes. Deleting your Pokémon GO account only removes your game profile from Niantic's servers. Your Google account, email, and all other Google services remain unchanged. You can still use that Google account to log into other apps and services.

What if I delete my Google account but want to keep my Pokémon GO account?

If you delete your Google account, you lose the ability to log into Pokémon GO because that was your login method. Your game account stays on Niantic's servers, but you cannot access it. To prevent this, switch your Pokémon GO login to a different method (like a Pokémon Trainer Club account) before you delete your Google account.

Can I recover my account after deletion?

No. Niantic does not restore deleted accounts under any circumstances. Once you confirm deletion through the email link, it is final. If you think you might want to play again, do not delete — just stop logging in instead.

Does deleting my Pokémon GO account delete the app from my phone?

No. Deleting your account only removes your game profile from Niantic's servers. The Pokémon GO app stays on your phone until you uninstall it manually. You can uninstall it from your phone's app store or settings at any time, whether or not you've deleted your account.

How long does account deletion take?

Once you click the confirmation link in the email, deletion is immediate on your end. Your profile disappears from the game right away. Niantic's servers fully process the deletion within a few days, but you won't notice any difference — your account is gone as soon as you confirm.