Whether to delete depends on your privacy concerns and how 23andMe uses your data

Deleting your 23andMe account makes sense if you're uncomfortable with how the company stores your genetic information, worried about data breaches, or concerned about law enforcement access to the database. 23andMe sells anonymized genetic data to pharmaceutical companies and researchers — this is how the service stays cheap — and you can't fully control where your DNA information ends up once you've submitted it. If those trade-offs don't match your comfort level, deletion is straightforward.

If you're mainly concerned about privacy but want to keep your results, you can instead opt out of research and data sales without closing your account. This approach lets you access your health and ancestry information while limiting how 23andMe uses your genetic data going forward. The choice between deletion and opting out depends on whether you value keeping your results more than you want to completely sever your relationship with the company.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your account removes your ability to access your results, but 23andMe may keep your DNA sample and genetic data for up to 30 days before destroying it.
  • You can opt out of research participation and data sales without deleting your account, which keeps your results accessible while limiting how 23andMe uses your information.
  • Law enforcement can request access to 23andMe's database with a warrant, and the company has complied with such requests in the past.
  • If you've already shared your results with relatives through the DNA Relatives feature, deleting your account doesn't remove their copies of the shared data.
  • read your raw DNA data before deleting if you want to keep it for use with other genealogy or health services.

What actually happens to your data when you delete

When you request account deletion, 23andMe removes your ability to log in and access your results when ready. However, the company keeps your DNA sample and genetic data for up to 30 days in case you change your mind and want to restore your account. After 30 days, 23andMe states it destroys the sample and associated genetic information.

The catch is that if you've already opted into research or data sales, 23andMe may have already shared your anonymized genetic data with third parties. Deletion doesn't retrieve that data or revoke those agreements retroactively. If you participated in a specific research study, your data may remain part of that study's dataset even after your account is gone. This means opting out of research before deleting can prevent future sharing, but won't undo sharing that already happened.

If you've used the DNA Relatives feature to share results with family members, those relatives keep their copies of the shared data. Deleting your account doesn't erase what they've already downloaded or seen. They'll straightforward see that you're no longer available as a match, but the information they received from you stays with them.

The difference between deletion and opting out

Opting out of research and data sales is less permanent than deletion and gives you more control. You can turn off research participation and prevent 23andMe from selling your data to pharmaceutical companies without closing your account. This keeps your results accessible whenever you want to check them, but limits how the company uses your genetic information going forward.

To opt out, log into your account, go to Settings, find the Research section, and toggle off participation. You can also disable data sales in the same area. These changes take effect when ready for new research requests, though 23andMe may continue to use data already shared with active studies. The process takes less than a minute and doesn't affect your ability to view your ancestry or health reports.

Deletion is permanent and removes your access entirely. Opting out is reversible — you can change your mind later and re-enable research participation if you want to. For most people concerned about privacy, opting out accomplishes the goal without losing access to your health and ancestry information. It's the middle ground between staying fully enrolled and leaving the platform completely.

Law enforcement access and the DNA database

23andMe's database has been used by law enforcement to solve crimes, most notably in the Golden State Killer case in 2018. Police obtained a warrant to search the database, and 23andMe complied. The company has stated it will continue to comply with valid warrants, subpoenas, and court orders. This means your genetic information could potentially be used to identify you or match you to relatives in criminal investigations.

If you're concerned about your DNA being used in criminal investigations — either to identify you or to match you to relatives who may be suspects — deletion reduces but doesn't eliminate that risk. Your data may already exist in other genealogy databases or in law enforcement systems if you've been arrested. Deleting your 23andMe account removes one source, but doesn't may provide your genetic information won't be accessible through other means. Law enforcement can also obtain warrants for other genealogy services like Ancestry or FamilyTreeDNA.

23andMe does not share data with law enforcement voluntarily. The company requires a legal warrant or court order before releasing information. However, if you're in a jurisdiction where law enforcement has broad investigative powers, or if you're concerned about future policy changes, account deletion is one way to limit access to your information through this particular platform.

Reasons people keep their accounts despite privacy concerns

Many people maintain their 23andMe accounts even after learning about data sharing because the health and ancestry information is genuinely useful. The service provides reports on genetic health risks, carrier status for inherited conditions, and detailed ancestry breakdowns that aren't available elsewhere without paying for multiple services. These reports can inform health decisions and help you understand your family history.

If you have relatives who've also tested with 23andMe, the DNA Relatives feature lets you connect with them and sometimes discover unknown family members. Deleting your account ends those connections and removes you from their relative lists. For people doing genealogy research or reconnecting with family, this feature alone is worth keeping the account active.

Some people use 23andMe results as a starting point for deeper genealogy research on sites like Ancestry or FamilySearch. If you plan to do that work, keeping your 23andMe account gives you a reference point and the ability to read your raw DNA data to upload elsewhere. The account becomes a tool rather than a service you're actively using.

How to read your DNA data before deleting

If you want to keep your genetic information but delete your 23andMe account, read your raw DNA data first. This file contains your complete genetic profile and can be uploaded to other genealogy services like Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilyTreeDNA. Once you delete your account, you won't be able to retrieve this file from 23andMe.

Log into your 23andMe account, go to Settings, and look for the "read Your Data" option. Select the option to read your raw genetic data. The file will be a compressed folder containing your genetic information in a standard format. Save this file to your computer before you delete your account — you won't be able to retrieve it afterward. Keep the file in a safe location where you won't accidentally delete it.

Once you have the file, you can delete your 23andMe account without losing access to your DNA information. You can then upload the raw data to other services at your own pace, or keep it stored privately on your computer for future use. This approach gives you the privacy benefit of leaving 23andMe while preserving your genetic data.

Steps to delete your 23andMe account

To delete your account, log into 23andMe and go to Settings. Scroll down to find the "Delete Your Account" option, usually near the bottom of the Settings page. Click it and follow the prompts. 23andMe will ask you to confirm your password and may ask why you're deleting — these questions are optional and don't affect whether your account is deleted.

After you confirm deletion, your account will be deactivated when ready. You'll receive a confirmation email. You have 30 days to restore your account if you change your mind — after that, your data is permanently deleted according to 23andMe's policy. If you want to restore your account during this window, you can log back in with your original credentials and select the restore option.

If you can't find the deletion option in Settings, contact 23andMe customer support through their website. They can walk you through the process or delete the account for you if you're having technical trouble. Keep your confirmation email as proof that you requested deletion, in case you need to follow up with the company later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my account but keep my DNA results?

No — deleting your account removes your access to your results on 23andMe's platform. However, you can read your raw DNA data before deleting and upload it to other genealogy services that will let you view your results there. This is the best way to keep your information while leaving 23andMe.

Will deleting my account remove me from my relatives' DNA Relatives lists?

Yes, you'll disappear from their relative matches once your account is deleted. However, if they've already downloaded or screenshotted your shared information, they'll still have that data. Deletion only removes your active profile from the feature.

Does 23andMe actually destroy my DNA sample after 30 days?

23andMe states that it destroys your sample and genetic data 30 days after deletion, but you have no way to verify this independently. If you want absolute certainty your biological sample is destroyed, you'd need to contact the company directly and request written confirmation, though they may not provide it.

If I opt out of research instead of deleting, can 23andMe still sell my data?

No — opting out of data sales prevents 23andMe from selling your genetic information to third parties going forward. However, data already shared with active research studies may continue to be used. Opting out stops future sales but doesn't retrieve past ones.

What if law enforcement asks 23andMe about my deleted account?

If your account is deleted and your data has been destroyed, 23andMe has nothing to provide. However, if law enforcement has a warrant and your data was already shared with researchers or other services, they may be able to access it through those channels instead.