How to Activate Google Inactive Account Manager

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Google’s Inactive Account Manager lets you decide what happens to your account if you stop using it for a set period. You can choose to notify trusted contacts and share specific data with them, or have your account deleted entirely. This guide walks you through setting it up on a computer or phone, so your digital assets are handled the way you want.

What You’ll Need

A Google account (the one you want to manage).
Access to that account’s password (you’ll need to sign in).
A phone number or recovery email for verification (recommended).

Step-by-Step

Sign in to your Google Account. Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with the account you want to set up. If you’re already signed in, skip this step.
Open the Inactive Account Manager page. In the search bar at the top of the page, type “Inactive Account Manager” and press Enter. The first result should be a Google support page. Click it. Alternatively, you can go directly to myaccount.google.com/inactive.
Click “Start setup.” You’ll see a blue button that says “Start setup.” Click it. If you don’t see it, make sure you’re on the official Inactive Account Manager page.
Enter a phone number and recovery email (optional but recommended). Google asks for a phone number and an alternate email. These are used to send you alerts before the timeout period ends. You can skip this, but it’s safer to add them.
Choose a timeout period. Select how long Google should wait after your last activity before considering the account inactive. Options range from 3 months to 18 months. Pick the period that makes sense for you. Google will send you reminders before this time elapses.
Add a trusted contact (optional). If you want someone to get access to your data, click “Add person” and enter their email address. You can add multiple contacts. They will only receive access after the timeout period passes and you don’t respond to the alerts.
Select what data to share (if you added contacts). For each contact, you can choose which Google services to share (Gmail, Drive, Photos, etc.) by checking the boxes. You can also click “Select all” to share everything.
Decide what happens to the account. Under “My plan,” choose one of two options:
- Send my data to trusted contacts: This shares the selected data with your contacts after the timeout.
- Delete my account: This permanently deletes your account and all its data after the timeout.
You can also choose to do both: share data with contacts and then delete the account after a further delay.
Review and confirm. Read the summary of your choices. If everything looks correct, click “Save.” You may be asked to re-enter your password to confirm.
Verify your phone number (if added). Google might send a text message to your phone. Enter the code to verify. This step is optional but helps ensure you receive alerts.

Common Mistakes

Not adding a recovery phone/email: Without these, you might miss the alert emails, and the plan will activate sooner than you’d like.
Choosing a too-short timeout: If you go on a long trip or take a break from Google services, you might accidentally trigger the plan. Pick a period longer than your usual inactivity.
Forgetting to update the plan: If you change your mind later, you can go back and edit the settings. Many people set it and forget it, but it’s worth reviewing annually.
Not selecting specific data: If you share data, be sure to check the boxes for the services you actually want to share. Otherwise, contacts might get nothing or everything.

Tips

Use a long timeout (12+ months) if you’re not sure. You can always extend it later.
Tell your trusted contact that you’ve added them. They’ll receive an email only when the plan activates, so it’s good to let them know in advance.
Test the alert system by temporarily setting a short timeout (like 3 months) and then canceling it after you receive the test alert. This ensures your recovery info works.
Consider deleting your account if you have no one to trust. It’s better than leaving your data accessible to no one.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the “Start setup” button: Make sure you’re signed in to the correct account. If you have multiple accounts, switch to the one you want to manage. Also, clear your browser cache or try a different browser.
I can’t add a trusted contact: The contact must have a valid email address. Some email providers might block Google’s notification. Try adding a different email address.
I didn’t receive the verification code: Check your phone’s signal and that you entered the correct number. Wait a few minutes and request a new code. If it still fails, use a different phone number.
I want to cancel the plan: Go back to the Inactive Account Manager page and click “Cancel plan.” You’ll need to sign in again.
My plan activated by mistake: If you’re still using the account, you should have received multiple alerts before activation. If you missed them, sign in to your account immediately. The plan will stop, and you can adjust the timeout period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as “activity” for the timer?

Any sign-in to your Google account, using Gmail, YouTube, Search, or any Google service resets the timer. Simply being logged in on a device doesn’t count; you need to actively use the account.

Can I have multiple trusted contacts?

Yes, you can add up to 10 trusted contacts. Each one can receive different data sets, or you can share the same data with all of them.

What happens if my trusted contact doesn’t accept the data?

Google will send them an email with a link to download the data. If they don’t act within a certain time, the data becomes unavailable, but your account is not deleted unless you chose that option.

Does the Inactive Account Manager work for Google Workspace (business) accounts?

No, it’s only available for personal Google Accounts. If you use a work or school account, the administrator controls what happens to it.

Can I change the timeout period after setting it up?

Yes, you can go back to the Inactive Account Manager page and adjust the timeout, contacts, or data sharing at any time. Just sign in and edit your plan.

Will my account be deleted if I don’t choose the delete option?

No, if you only share data with contacts, your account remains active (but inactive). It won’t be deleted unless you explicitly select that option.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.