Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers powerful tools for cloud hosting, but there may come a time when you no longer need the account. Whether you’re switching providers, closing a project, or simply tidying up your digital presence, knowing how to delete an AWS account properly is essential to avoid billing or data issues.
Why Would You Want to Delete an AWS Account?
Before diving into how to delete an AWS account, let’s look at a few reasons why users choose to close theirs:
- You’re no longer using AWS services
- You want to stop recurring charges
- You created a test account you no longer need
- You want to start fresh with a new AWS setup
What You Should Know Before Deleting an AWS Account
Deleting an AWS account is not as simple as clicking a button. AWS wants to make sure you are aware of the consequences. Here’s what you should understand before proceeding:
- All resources (EC2 instances, S3 buckets, etc.) will be terminated
- You won’t be able to access the account again
- AWS may retain data for billing or legal reasons
- Any linked services or IAM users will also be disabled
Make sure you back up any important data or configurations before proceeding.
How to Delete an AWS Account: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to properly close your AWS account:
1. Sign in to Your AWS Account
Go to https://aws.amazon.com and log in as the root user (not an IAM user).
2. Terminate All Active Resources
Navigate through each AWS service and manually terminate all running resources (EC2, RDS, S3, Lambda, etc.). You can also check the Billing Dashboard to see active charges.
3. Remove Payment Methods (Optional)
Although AWS retains your payment details for compliance, you can remove or update billing info from the Billing & Cost Management console.
4. Access the Account Settings
In the AWS Management Console, go to “My Account” under your profile dropdown.
5. Close the AWS Account
Scroll to the “Close Account” section. Check the agreement box and click “Close Account.” You’ll receive a confirmation email.
6. Verify the Account Closure
AWS usually sends an email within a few minutes confirming that the account is scheduled for closure. It may take up to 90 days for full data deletion from AWS systems.
Can You Reopen a Deleted AWS Account?
No. Once you delete your AWS account, you cannot reopen or restore it. If you wish to use AWS again, you will need to create a new account from scratch.
Final Thoughts on How to Delete an AWS Account
Understanding how to delete an AWS account helps you stay in control of your cloud usage and avoid unexpected charges. Whether you’re managing a business, running personal projects, or working as a developer, properly closing unused accounts is good practice.
Always double-check your billing and resource usage before account deletion, and don’t forget to export critical data you might need in the future.