The app account deletion requirement on the App Store and Google Play

Apple asks for an option that is easy to find, typically in the app’s account settings, which deletes the entire account record along with associated personal data; offering only to temporarily deactivate or disable the account is insufficient. If deletion is completed on your website, link directly to that page. Apps outside highly regulated industries should not make people call, email or go through other support flows. You may require reauthentication or a confirmation code, but apps that make deletion unnecessarily difficult will not pass review. Manual deletion that takes time is acceptable if you tell users how long it takes and confirm when it is done. User-generated content shared with others, such as photos, posts and reviews, is deleted too, and deletion must be available to all users, not only where laws like GDPR or CCPA require it.

Automatically generated guest accounts need a deletion option as well, and so do accounts created through a web browser link. If the user has an auto-renewable subscription, tell them billing continues through Apple and ask them to cancel before deleting; Apple points to showManageSubscription on iOS 15 and later or the subscriptions page at apps.apple.com/account/subscriptions, and lets you offer scheduled deletion at the subscription’s end as long as immediate deletion is also available. Apps using Sign in with Apple should revoke user tokens with the Sign in with Apple REST API. For other review guidelines that often block a build, see App Store rejection reasons.

Google’s policy covers any app where a user can create an account in the app or is directed to create one outside it, even if some features work without an account. You need an in-app path that is prominent, for example in account settings; if full in-app deletion is not yet feasible, the app can link to your web deletion resource. The web link is required in any case, because users may have uninstalled the app: it must load without error, feature the deletion path prominently, name the app or developer as shown on the store listing, and let users request deletion without reinstalling. A link, a customer service email or a form all work. Non-mobile surfaces such as Android TV and Wear OS only need the web option. Permanently private and enterprise device management apps are exempt.

All developers answer the Data deletion questions in the Data safety form on the App content page in Play Console, and apps in scope enter the web link there. Some answers appear on the store listing as a data deletion badge and a Data deletion area where users follow your links. When you delete an account, you delete its associated user data too, and ask service providers that process it to do the same; data kept for security, fraud prevention or regulatory compliance must be explained to users, for example in your privacy policy. Google asks you to complete requests within a reasonably quick period and to check local laws. The rest of the form is covered in privacy labels and Data safety.

A clear deletion flow keeps your app in the store; bringing people to it is the next job. Censuus ranks apps by the real visit traffic they draw, and adding your app is free on the submit page. Sponsorship raises placement and adds a followed link to your website; details are on the sponsor page. For the full plan, see how to market an app. We do not promise downloads or approval.