Delegated access in Gmail lets someone manage another account’s mail. While this feature is useful for collaboration, there are times when you might need to remove a delegated account – perhaps when you're no longer working with a partner or the delegation was set up without your current consent. In this post, we’ll explain how you can remove a delegated account on your own.

Understanding Delegated Access

When someone grants delegated access, they’re essentially giving another Gmail user the ability to read, send, and manage their emails. However, the power to remove this delegation isn’t available directly from the delegated account itself. Only the account that originally granted access has the administrative rights to remove the delegation. This setup is designed with security in mind.

Two Ways to Remove Delegated Access

There are only two official methods to remove a delegated Gmail account:

1. Remove Access From the Granting Account

What You Need:

  • Full login credentials (username and password) for the account that granted the access.

Steps:

  1. Log In Directly: Sign in directly to the Gmail account that granted the delegation. (Remember, you must use the actual account credentials; you cannot do this from your delegated access account.)

  2. Access Settings: Click the gear icon in Gmail and navigate to Settings.

  3. Go to Accounts & Import: Find the section labeled Accounts & Import.

  4. Find Delegated Accounts: Look for the “Grant Access to Your Account” section where you’ll see a list of accounts with delegated access.

  5. Remove the Delegation: Click the blue delete button next to the delegated account you wish to remove.

Note: The delegated account does not show this settings tab when you’re logged in because removal rights are restricted to the primary account for security reasons.

2. Remove Delegation via the Confirmation Email

What You Need:

  • Access to the original confirmation email sent by Google when the delegation was established.

Steps:

  1. Find the Email: Look for the email Google sent to the account that received delegated access. This email contains a link.

  2. Reject the Request: Click the link that says “To reject this request, please click the link below.” This action cancels the delegation.

Important:

  • If you no longer have the email and cannot contact the person who granted access, there is no direct way for you to remove the delegation.

  • The system is designed this way to ensure that only the person who originally set up the delegation can reverse it.

What If You Lose Access?

If the granting account is inaccessible (for instance, if the account has been deleted or you do not have the login details), and you also no longer have the confirmation email, there is unfortunately no method to remove the delegated access. In such cases, you might need to wait until the account naturally becomes inactive or consult with Google support for further guidance.

Final Thoughts

While delegated access in Gmail is a handy feature, it’s essential to be aware of its limitations. Removing a delegated account requires either direct access to the primary account or the confirmation email. Always ensure you have proper access and records if you decide to use delegation in your workflow.