If you want to erase your Ashley Madison account, there are several actions you need to take to ensure that all of your information has been completely deleted. Ashley Madison offers two options: deactivate your account or delete it entirely. Only choosing the “delete” option will completely remove all of your account information, including your profile, messages, images, and associated data.
Here is a brief, step-by-step guide to help you delete your Ashley Madison account as quickly and safely as possible. Included below are some additional helpful tips and advice to help keep your identity safe while deleting your Ashley Madison account.
The Best Method: Delete Your Account From a Desktop Computer
Ashley Madison’s mobile applications may not allow for a true deletion of your account. Deleting your account via the website is currently the safest and most reliable method.
1. Log Into Your Account
First, go to the AshleyMadison.com website, utilizing either a desktop computer or a mobile browser.
2. Access the Menu
Click or tap the three horizontal lines in the upper left-hand corner of your screen (☰).
3. Access Settings
Tap or click the gear symbol (⚙️) next to the menu button to access the settings menu. Next, select “Account” from the drop-down menu.
4. Delete Your Account
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Delete Account” or “Full Deletion”, whichever is available based upon the type of device you are using. Follow the prompts until you receive confirmation that the account has been deleted.
This is the safest and most reliable method of deleting your account whether you utilize a mobile phone or a desktop computer. Additionally, this is the best way for Android users to permanently delete their accounts.
Deleting Your Account Using the Ashley Madison Mobile Application
While you can initiate the deletion process from within the mobile application, you will be limited in what you can accomplish depending on the type of smartphone you own.
iPhone (iOS)
☰ → Settings → Account → Full Deletion
All versions of the iOS application allow you to delete your account completely within the app.
Android
The Android application typically only allows you to deactivate your account. Deactivating your account will allow Ashley Madison to store your data indefinitely and you will be able to sign into the site whenever you desire.
To delete your account completely, you must use the website on your desktop computer.
Deactivate vs. Full Delete
Ashley Madison offers its users two vastly different alternatives:
Deactivate
Your account is made invisible to others. Your data remains on the platform. You can sign back into your account at any time.
Your messages, photographs and history remain intact.
Full Delete
Your entire account is deleted.
Your messages, photographs, history and all other personally identifiable data are deleted.
Once you delete your account, you will never again be able to sign into your account. For privacy and security reasons, we recommend using the “full delete” option.
Things to Keep in Mind Before You Delete Your Account
Cancel Any Active Subscriptions
Before deleting your account, cancel any current subscription plans you may have. This will prevent any further recurring payments from being charged to your credit card or bank account. While your bank statement may still reflect previous charges related to your Ashley Madison membership, the deletion of your account will stop the renewal of your membership.
Data Removal Takes Time
Ashley Madison claims that deleting your account removes all of your stored information, but the process can take anywhere from a few days to a week or longer.
If you want to verify whether information about you still appears online afterward, try tools like Google name searches or Google’s Results About You.
Do Not Rely Solely On The Application (Especially If You Are An Android User)
As mentioned above, if you are an Android user, you must delete your account from your browser to ensure that all your data has been completely erased from the Ashley Madison database.
If you also want to remove other accounts you no longer use, see guides like how to delete your Tinder account or how to delete your eHarmony account.
Final Thoughts
Using the correct methods to delete your Ashley Madison account is easier than many would believe. When using an Android phone, your only reliable option is to delete your account from your browser. Be certain to choose “Full Delete” rather than “deactivate,” and cancel any ongoing subscriptions before initiating the deletion process.
If you want to continue cleaning up your online presence, you can use NewReputation’s privacy guides to remove your information from data brokers, people search sites, and other platforms.