Important Steps to Preserve Your Gmail and Photos Before April 3

Important Changes to Google Account Deletion Policies

As of March 2, 2025, Google is implementing new policies regarding inactive accounts. They have announced that if you haven’t signed in to your Google account for two years, it could be deleted along with all its contents. This includes your emails, photos, and documents. The urgency behind this update is to enhance security and protect user data. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your Google account safe and active.

Understanding Google’s Deletion Email

Recently, I received an email from Google with an alarming subject line: “Urgent: Sign in to your Google Account if you want to keep it.” At first, I thought it might be a phishing attempt, but it was a legitimate reminder about account inactivity. Google’s aim is to prevent cybercrime, as unused accounts are often more susceptible to attacks. This policy change is part of their broader security strategy, stating that abandoned accounts are not only at risk but also threaten user privacy.

What Counts as Inactivity?

According to Google, inactivity is defined as not signing into your account or using any of Google’s services, like Gmail, Google Drive, or YouTube, for over two years. This means if you created an account for one-time use and have forgotten about it, it could be potentially deleted. Google states that any personal accounts are affected by this new policy, but organizational accounts such as those used by schools and businesses will not be impacted.

How Not to Lose Your Google Account

The solution is straightforward: simply log into your Google account. You don’t need to constantly send emails or share photos, just signing in is enough to keep your account active. Some other activities that Google considers as engagement include:

• Sending or reading an email
• Using Google Drive or Google Docs
• Watching a video on YouTube
• Searching on Google

Managing Multiple Google Accounts

If you, like me, have multiple Google accounts, keeping track of them can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, Google makes it easy to manage several accounts. You can switch between them easily by following these steps:

1. Click on your profile picture on the top right corner of any Google service.
2. Select “Add account” from the drop-down menu.
3. Sign in to the new account.

This allows you to add as many accounts as you want and switch between them with ease. Additionally, if you want to be particularly organized, consider creating dedicated accounts for different purposes: family photos, work emails, and personal correspondence.

Keeping Your Data Safe

It is crucial to ensure that your accounts are secure. I recommend enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) and using strong, unique passwords for each account. Google also suggests considering “passkeys” for better security. To further safeguard your personal information, perform a security check-up on each of your accounts periodically.

Updates on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

In addition to account deletions, Google is making changes to their 2FA system. They plan to remove SMS-based authentication codes in favor of using QR codes. SMS authentication has been criticized for being less secure compared to other methods. The new system will ditch SMS codes entirely, offering a more secure option for verifying identities.

This change is expected to roll out over the coming months. Instead of entering your phone number and receiving a code, you will scan a QR code, which is designed to enhance security by reducing the risk of phishing scams.

Using Google’s Results About You Tool

Another useful tool offered by Google is called “Results About You.” This tool allows you to check if your personal details, such as email addresses or phone numbers, appear in Google search results. It also enables you to request the removal of this information. Google has made this process simpler with recent updates, allowing users to manage their online presence more effectively.

When you find unwanted information in search results, you can use a few clicks to request its removal, helping protect your privacy online. Furthermore, if outdated content needs to be updated, you can request a refresh of the search results, prompting Google to recrawl the page for accurate information.

Stay Informed and Updated About Your Google Account

In summary, staying active on your Google accounts is essential to avoid accidental deletion. Regular logins can prevent unwanted account removals, while utilizing tools like “Results About You” ensures your personal information remains private. As Google transitions away from SMS 2FA to more secure methods, being proactive about your online safety is crucial. Make sure to review your settings and keep your accounts secure and up to date.