Account Deletion

Account Deletion

If you need to close your pCloud account, this guide explains the account deletion process, timeline, and important considerations before taking this permanent action.

Important: Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Make sure to download any files you want to keep before initiating deletion.

Account Deletion Timeline

The account deletion process takes 3 months to complete. This period is designed to:

• Ensure you have time to reconsider your decision
• Allow you to recover your account if deleted by mistake
• Comply with data protection regulations

Accounts Cannot Be Automatically Reset

pCloud cannot reset an account. If you want to:

• Clear all data: You must delete files manually or request account deletion
• Start fresh: You must wait for the deletion process to complete, then create a new account
• Reset access: This is not possible - account deletion is the only option

Note: We cannot accelerate the 3-month deletion period under any circumstances.

Reusing Your Email Address

You can use the same email address to create a new pCloud account, but only after the 3-month deletion period has passed completely.

Automatic Deletion for Inactive Free Accounts

Free (Basic) pCloud accounts may be automatically deleted due to inactivity. Your account will be deleted if:

12 Months of Inactivity:

• You haven't logged in for 12 months
• No operations have been performed in your account
• You'll receive several email notifications before deletion

Unverified Email Address:

• You haven't verified your email within 30 days of registration
• You'll receive email notifications reminding you to verify
• The account will be scheduled for deletion if not verified

Important: This inactivity policy does NOT apply to paid customers or pCloud Lifetime members. Paid accounts remain active regardless of inactivity.

Keeping Your Free Account Active

To prevent automatic deletion of your free account:

• Log into my.pCloud.com at least once every 12 months
• Verify your email address within 30 days of registration
• Perform any operation in your account (upload, download, share, etc.)

For Paid Accounts

If you have a Premium, Premium Plus, or Lifetime account:

• Your account will NEVER be deleted due to inactivity
• Your files remain secure regardless of how long you're away
• You can access your account at any time

Before Deleting Your Account

Consider these alternatives before permanently deleting your account:

• Canceling subscription: If cost is a concern, you can cancel your paid subscription and continue with a free account
• Temporary break: You can simply stop using pCloud without deleting - paid accounts never expire
• Downloading files: Make sure to download all important files before deletion
• Contacting support: If you're experiencing issues, our support team may be able to help

What Happens to Your Files

When you request account deletion:

1. All files in your account will be scheduled for deletion
2. You have 3 months to change your mind and recover your account
3. After 3 months, all data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered
4. Shared links will stop working
5. Collaborations with other users will be terminated

Family and Business Accounts

Family Accounts:

If you're the family plan owner and delete your account, the entire family plan and all member accounts may be affected. Contact support for guidance.

Business Accounts:

The business account owner cannot be deleted. If you need to remove the owner, you must first transfer ownership or close the entire business account.

How to Request Account Deletion

To request deletion of your pCloud account:

1. Contact pCloud support at support@pcloud.com
2. Request account deletion in your message
3. Follow the verification steps provided by the support team
4. Your account will be scheduled for deletion with a 3-month grace period

Final Reminder: Account deletion is permanent. After the 3-month period, all your files and data will be permanently removed from pCloud servers and cannot be recovered.