Where your username and password actually live

When you want to delete a username and password, you are usually deleting it from one of three places: your browser's saved passwords, your device's autofill system, or the actual online account itself. Each one requires a different step, and which one you need depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

If you just want to stop your browser from remembering a password you typed in, that is a quick local deletion — the account still exists online. If you want to remove the account entirely, you need to go to the website or app and delete the account there. Most people need to do both.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a saved password from your browser does not delete the online account — it only stops your device from remembering it.
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge each have their own password manager where you can view and delete saved credentials.
  • To fully remove an account, you must go to the website or app itself and find the account deletion or deactivation option, usually in settings.
  • Some accounts require you to verify your identity by email or phone before deletion is complete.
  • Deleting a password from your device does not automatically log you out of that account on the website.

Deleting a saved password from Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Autofill and passwords on the left side. Choose Passwords.

You will see a list of all saved passwords. Find the one you want to delete, click the three dots next to it, and select Delete. Chrome will ask you to confirm — click Delete again. The password is now removed from your browser, but the account itself still exists online.

Deleting a saved password from Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to Logins and Passwords and click Saved Logins.

A window will open showing all your saved passwords. Search for the account you want to remove, click it to select it, then click the Remove button. Firefox will delete it when ready without asking for confirmation.

Deleting a saved password from Safari

On Mac, open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top. Select Settings, then click the Passwords tab. You may need to unlock this section by clicking the lock icon and entering your Mac password.

Find the password you want to delete in the list, click it once to select it, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap Passwords (or Passwords and Autofill depending on your iOS version), tap Website & App Passwords, find the entry, swipe left on it, and tap Delete.

Deleting a saved password from Edge

Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Passwords on the left side. You will see Saved passwords listed.

Find the password you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and select Delete. Edge will remove it from your saved passwords when ready. If you want to stop Edge from offering to save passwords for a particular website in the future, you can add that site to your Never saved list in the same settings area.

Permanently deleting an online account

Deleting a saved password only removes it from your device. To actually close the account, you must go to the website or app and find the account deletion option. This is usually in Settings or Account, often under a section called Privacy, Security, or Data.

Different websites handle this differently. Some let you deactivate an account (it goes dormant but can be reactivated), while others permanently delete it. Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon all have account deletion pages, but you have to find them first — they are not always straightforward to locate. Search "[website name] delete account" to find the exact page for the service you use.

Most services will ask you to confirm your identity before deletion. You may need to enter your password, verify a code sent to your email, or answer security questions. Some accounts have a waiting period — for example, Google gives you 30 days to change your mind before the account is fully deleted.

What happens after you delete a password or account

If you only deleted the saved password from your browser, you will be logged into that account the next time you visit the website — you just will not see the password pre-filled. You can log out manually, or you can clear your browser cookies for that site.

If you deleted the account itself, you will not be able to log in anymore. Any data associated with that account — emails, photos, documents, messages — will be deleted according to that service's policy. Some services delete data when ready; others keep it for a set period in case you change your mind. Check the service's privacy policy or deletion confirmation email to understand the timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I delete a saved password, does the website know?

No. Deleting a password from your browser is a local action on your device only. The website has no way of knowing you deleted it. Your account remains active and unchanged on their servers.

Can I recover a password I deleted from my browser?

Not from your browser — once you delete it, it is gone from that device. If you have synced passwords across devices (like Chrome syncing to your Google account), deleting it on one device will delete it everywhere. If you still remember the password, you can log in and save it again.

What is the difference between deactivating and deleting an account?

Deactivation temporarily hides your account and profile but keeps your data on the company's servers. You can usually reactivate it later. Deletion permanently removes the account and associated data. Check the website's settings to see which option they offer — some services only allow one or the other.

Do I need to delete my password before I delete my account?

No. You can delete the account directly without removing the saved password first. However, it is a good idea to delete saved passwords afterward so you do not accidentally try to log into an account that no longer exists.

Will deleting my password log me out of the website?

Deleting a saved password will not log you out. You will remain logged in until you manually log out or clear your browser cookies for that site. Deleting the account itself will log you out and prevent you from logging back in.