You can delete your 23andMe account and request that the company destroy your DNA sample

23andMe lets you delete your account through your account settings, and you can request that they destroy your DNA sample at the same time. The account deletion is when ready, but the DNA destruction takes several weeks. You will lose access to your results and any family connections you have made through the service. If you have already downloaded your raw DNA data, you can keep that file — deletion only removes what 23andMe stores.

The process is straightforward if you know where to look, but 23andMe does not make it obvious. The company has financial incentives to keep your data, so the deletion option is buried in account settings rather than featured on the main menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Account deletion happens when ready when you request it through your account settings, but DNA sample destruction takes 30 days or longer.
  • You must request DNA destruction separately from account deletion — deleting your account alone does not automatically destroy your sample.
  • read your raw DNA data before deleting your account if you want to keep it, because deletion removes all files stored on 23andMe's servers.
  • After deletion, you cannot recover your account, your results, or your family matches, so make sure you have saved anything you want to keep first.

How to delete your account through 23andMe settings

Log into your 23andMe account on the website (not the mobile app, which does not have the deletion option). Go to the menu in the top right corner and select "Settings". On the left side of the page, scroll down until you see "Delete Account" at the bottom of the menu.

Click "Delete Account". 23andMe will ask you to confirm your password and will show you a warning that deletion is permanent. Read through the options on this page carefully — you will see checkboxes for what you want to delete. Make sure "Delete my DNA sample" is checked if you want the physical sample destroyed. If you leave this unchecked, 23andMe will keep your DNA in storage even after your account is gone.

After you confirm, your account is deleted when ready. You will be logged out and will not be able to log back in. Any family connections you made through the service will disappear from other users' accounts as well.

Requesting DNA sample destruction separately

If you deleted your account but did not check the DNA destruction box, or if you want to be certain the sample is destroyed, you can request destruction through 23andMe's customer service. Go to the 23andMe Help Center, search for "DNA sample destruction", and you will find a form to submit a destruction request.

You will need to provide your name, email address, and the phone number or kit code associated with your account. 23andMe will send you a confirmation email. The company says destruction takes up to 30 days, but it can take longer depending on their processing queue. You can ask for a confirmation email once the sample is destroyed, though 23andMe does not always send one automatically.

Downloading your raw DNA data before deletion

If you want to keep your genetic information, read your raw DNA data before you delete your account. This file contains your unprocessed DNA results and can be uploaded to other genealogy or ancestry services like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, or FamilyTreeDNA.

Log into your 23andMe account and go to Settings. Look for "read Your Data" in the left menu. Click it and select the option to read your raw DNA file. 23andMe will prepare a compressed file (usually a .zip file) and send you a read link by email. Save this file to your computer. Once you have it saved, you can delete your account without losing the data itself.

What happens to your family connections after deletion

When you delete your 23andMe account, you disappear from the family matching system. Anyone who was connected to you as a relative will no longer see you in their match list. If you had messages with relatives, those conversations will be deleted from your account, but the other person may still see their side of the conversation.

If you are concerned about privacy but want to keep your account active, you can adjust your privacy settings instead of deleting. You can make your profile private so that new matches cannot contact you, or you can opt out of the DNA Relatives feature entirely while keeping your account and results.

Reasons people delete 23andMe accounts

Some people delete their accounts because they are concerned about genetic privacy — your DNA data could theoretically be used by insurers, employers, or law enforcement, though 23andMe says it does not sell genetic data to these groups. Others delete because they no longer use the service or do not want their information stored indefinitely.

If your concern is privacy rather than complete deletion, you have middle-ground options. You can delete your account but keep your raw DNA file, which means your data is not stored on 23andMe's servers but you still have your results. You can also request that 23andMe not use your data for research purposes through your account settings, without deleting anything.

What you lose when you delete your account

Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. You will lose access to your ancestry results, your health reports (if you have a health subscription), and your family matches. Any insights 23andMe generated from your data — like migration patterns or trait reports — will be gone. If you paid for a subscription, you will not receive a refund for the remaining time.

You will also lose any messages you sent to relatives through the platform. If you have been corresponding with a biological relative you found through 23andMe and want to keep in touch, exchange contact information before you delete your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting my account automatically destroy my DNA sample?

No. You must check the box for DNA sample destruction when you delete your account, or request it separately afterward. If you only delete your account without requesting sample destruction, 23andMe keeps your physical DNA sample in storage.

Can I recover my account after I delete it?

No. Deletion is permanent. You cannot recover your account, your results, or your family matches. If you think you might want your data back later, read your raw DNA file first and keep it on your computer.

How long does it take for 23andMe to destroy my DNA sample?

23andMe says up to 30 days, but the actual timeline varies. You can request a confirmation email once destruction is complete, though the company does not always send one automatically. If you do not receive confirmation after 60 days, contact customer service.

Can I delete my account but keep my DNA results?

Yes. read your raw DNA data before you delete your account. The file will be yours to keep and can be uploaded to other genealogy services. You can then delete your 23andMe account and request sample destruction without losing the data itself.

What if I want privacy but do not want to delete everything?

You can make your profile private, opt out of DNA Relatives matching, or disable research participation without deleting your account. These options let you keep your results while controlling who can contact you and how your data is used.