I have an old Gmail account that I can’t access anymore. I forgot the password a long time ago and don’t remember the answers to my security questions. The phone number I used for recovery doesn’t work anymore either because I canceled that phone service.
I’m wondering if Google ever deletes these old accounts completely so the username becomes available again. Does anyone know how this works? I really want to use that same email address again for a new account but it seems like it’s stuck in limbo.
Has anyone dealt with this situation before? Is there a waiting period or does Google keep these accounts forever even when they’re not being used?
OMG yes! my frnd went through this exact thing and was so frustrated. he contacted google multiple times but they kept saying the username was permanently gone. it’s like having a ghost account just sitting there in limbo. i totally get why ur upset!
that’s rough! google pretty much holds onto usernames forever if the account is still there. i’ve been in a similar boat and it’s super annoying not being able to get it back. hope you find a solution!
Been dealing with this crap for years at work. Google never releases usernames, even from totally dead accounts.
Fighting this manually? Complete waste of time. Don’t bother trying to recover that specific username. I set up automated monitoring instead - tracks when similar variations pop up or when I need to juggle multiple email accounts.
Real solution? Automate your entire email setup. I use workflows that handle multiple Gmail accounts, forward messages by rules, and create new accounts when needed. You’re not stuck waiting for one specific username.
Saved me tons of hours vs manually trying recovery methods or constantly checking if usernames open up. Automation handles the boring stuff while you focus on what matters.
Unfortunately, Google does not recycle Gmail usernames. Once an account is registered, the username remains permanently tied to that account, even if it’s inactive or inaccessible. This policy is in place to minimize potential confusion and security risks.
From personal experience, I faced a similar situation while attempting to regain access to an old email account. After exhausting all recovery options and reaching out to support, I was informed that the username was permanently off-limits. Your best option is to create a new account with a modified username, perhaps by adding a few numbers or making slight alterations.
Google’s policy is straightforward - once a username’s claimed, it’s gone forever. I found this out when helping my dad recover his 2008 account. Even accounts untouched for 10+ years stay locked to the original owner. Makes sense though - imagine someone else getting your old emails because they snagged your released username. Try Google’s account recovery once more with any info you remember. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to get creative with username variations.