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If you’re planning to sell your Android phone or give it to your friend or family member, you’d probably want to remove the previously synced Google account on it. This ensures that the new user won’t have access to your personal data and potentially sensitive information. In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to remove previously synced Google account on Android.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before you proceed with removing the previously synced Google account, there are few things that you need to keep in mind and do beforehand:
- Make sure you’ve backed up all your phone data, contacts, images, and files to avoid losing them after removing the Google account.
- If your phone has the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature enabled, disabling the Google account will require you to enter the Google credentials again after resetting the phone.
- You should have access to the phone settings and have the administrative password.
What Requires Your Focus?
To remove the previously synced Google account successfully, you should focus on these things:
- Make sure your Android phone is connected to the internet.
- You should know the email ID and password of the previously synced Google account on the device.
- Ensure that you’ve backed up all your data before removing the Google account.
Different Methods to Remove Previously Synced Google Account on Android
Method 1: Remove Google Account via Setting
This method is the easiest one to remove your Google account from your Android device. Follow the below steps to remove the Google account:
1. Go to the device "Settings."
2. Scroll down to the "Accounts" section.
3. Tap on the "Google" account you want to remove.
4. On the top-right corner, tap on the "Three-dots" icon and select "Remove account."
5. Confirm it by selecting "Remove account" again in the pop-up window.
Pros:
- The easiest and straightforward method to remove the Google account from your Android device.
- Doesn’t require any additional application or software.
Cons:
- You need to know the credentials for the account you want to remove.
- Removing your Google account through this method could cause data loss if you haven’t synced your phone with Google Backup.
Method 2: Remove Google Account through Factory Reset
This method is useful when you don’t have access to the Google account credentials to remove the Google account through Settings. Follow the below steps:
1. Go to the device "Settings."
2. Scroll down to the "System" section.
3. Tap on the "Reset options."
4. Tap on the "Erase all data (Factory reset)" option.
5. Enter your screen lock password or PIN and tap on "Erase everything."
6. Your phone will now restore to factory settings, and you can create a new Google account.
Pros:
- You don’t need to know the credentials of the Google account to remove it from the device.
- This method ensures all the data gets wiped from the device and creates a clean slate for the upcoming users.
Cons:
- It will delete all the data, files, images, applications, and files stored on your phone.
- Disabling the Google account won’t remove it; you have to reset the device to factory settings.
Method 3: Remove Google Account from Google Play Store
This method is useful for accessing the Google Play Store. Follow the below steps to remove the Google account:
1. Go to the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap on the "Three-lines" icon in the upper left corner.
3. Tap on the "Settings" option at the bottom of the drawer.
4. Tap on the "Google" account you want to remove.
5. Tap on "Remove Account" at the bottom of the screen.
6. Confirm it by selecting "Remove Account" in the pop-up window.
Pros:
- The easiest method to remove the Google account if you only want to remove it from the Google Play Store.
- Doesn’t require any administrative password or credentials to remove it.
Cons:
- Disabling the Google account from the Play Store won’t remove it from other Google applications, such as Gmail, Google Drive, etc.
- To remove the Google account entirely from the Device, you must follow method 1 or method 2.
Why Can’t I Remove Previously Synced Google Account?
Several reasons might prevent you from removing the previously synced Google account. Some of the reasons include:
1. Factory Reset Protection Enabled:
Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a security feature in Android devices that locks your device and requires a Google account to activate it again after reset. If you have FRP enabled on your device, removing the Google account will require you to log in again with the same Gmail address and password.
Fix:
To disable FRP, go to "Settings" > "System" > "Security" > "Screen lock" > type your password and select the "None" option.
2. Active Google Services on the device:
If some of the Google services, such as Gmail, Google Photos, or Drive, are still active on your phone, you won’t remove the Google account. You have to disable those services before removing the account.
Fix:
To disable active Google services, go to "Settings" > "Apps & notifications" > "See all apps" > select the app you want to disable > "Force stop" and "Disable".
3. The Device is being Managed by Company:
If your Android device is administered by a company or organization, the administrators can restrict certain actions on the device, including removing Google accounts.
Fix:
Contact your device administrator or company IT team for further assistance.
Implications and Recommendations
Removing the previously synced Google account can cause your data, contacts, files, images, and applications to be lost. Therefore, it is advised to back up all the data before proceeding with removing the account. It is recommended to clear the data of all Google applications on your Android after removing the account to ensure no traces are left on the device.
FAQs about Removing Previously Synced Google Account on Android
Q1. What happens after removing the Google account from the Android device?
A1. Once you remove the Google account from your device, you won’t have access to Google services like Google Drive, Calendar, Gmail, and Contacts.
Q2. Can I add a new Google account after removing the previous one?
A2. Yes, you can add a new Google account after removing the previous one to access Google services on your device.
Q3. Can I remove the Google account without a password?
A3. No, you need the administrative email ID and password to remove the Google account.
Q4. How do I restore Factory Reset Protection after removing the Google account?
A4. Factory Reset Protection is automatically activated after you reset the phone. If it’s not, go to "Settings" > "System" > "Security" > "Screen lock" > type in your desired password/pattern and confirm it.
Q5. Do I need to remove the Google account before resetting the phone to factory settings?
A5. No, restoring the device to factory settings removes the Google account from the device too.
In Conclusion
Removing the previously synced Google account from your Android device is a necessary step when you’re planning to sell or give your device to someone else. We’ve discussed three different methods to remove the account, and each method has its pros and cons. In choosing the method that suits you best, focus on the required criteria and make sure you’ve backed up your data.