Removing an email account from your iPhone stops mail, contacts and calendars from that account syncing to the phone. It does not delete the account itself or the messages on the server. On iOS 18 and later the setting is under Settings, Apps, Mail; older versions use Settings, Mail, Accounts. The steps are the same on the iPhone SE and other models.
Quick Answer
Open Settings, Apps, Mail, Mail Accounts, tap the account and tap Delete Account, then confirm. On older iOS, go to Settings, Mail, Accounts instead.
How to Delete an Email Account on iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Mail. On iOS 17 or earlier, tap Mail directly.
- Tap Mail Accounts (or Accounts).
- Tap the account you want to remove.
- Tap Delete Account at the bottom and confirm with Delete from My iPhone.
- To keep the account but stop email only, turn off the Mail switch on that account’s page instead.
Delete vs Turn Off
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Delete Account | Removes mail, contacts and calendars from the iPhone |
| Turn off Mail switch | Keeps the account but hides its email |
| Sign out of an iCloud account | Use Settings, your name, Sign Out instead |
| Delete the email provider account | Must be done on the provider’s website |
Troubleshooting
- No Delete Account button: the account may be installed by a work profile. Remove it from Settings, General, VPN and Device Management, or ask your IT team.
- Greyed-out options: Screen Time may block account changes. See how to turn off restrictions.
- The iCloud account is not listed here. Manage it from the top of Settings.
- If you keep the account but alerts misbehave, read how to fix iPhone Mail notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my emails?
Not for IMAP or Exchange accounts; they stay on the server. POP accounts may only store mail locally, so check before deleting.
Can I add the account back later?
Yes. Tap Add Account in Mail Accounts and sign in again.
Does this delete contacts from the account?
Only from this iPhone. They stay in the account online.
Is this the same on an iPad?
Yes, the menus match.
Summary
- Settings, Apps, Mail.
- Mail Accounts.
- Pick the account.
- Delete Account and confirm.
- Or just switch off Mail to keep the account.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.