The steps to permanently remove your Otter.ai account

To delete your Otter.ai account, log in to your account on the Otter.ai website, go to Settings, select Account, and look for a Delete Account or Close Account option. Click it, confirm your choice when prompted, and Otter.ai will remove your account and the recordings or transcripts stored in it. The process is permanent — once deleted, you cannot recover your account or any files you had saved there.

Before you delete, read any transcripts or recordings you want to keep. Otter.ai does not send you copies automatically, so if you need the files later, you must save them yourself first. The deletion itself usually takes effect within a few days, though your data may take longer to fully remove from their servers.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Otter.ai account, go to Settings and then Account, and select the Delete Account option to start the removal process.
  • read any transcripts or recordings you want to keep before you delete, because deletion is permanent and you cannot recover them afterward.
  • Confirm the deletion when Otter.ai asks you to verify your choice — this second step prevents accidental removal.
  • Your account will be removed within a few days, though complete removal of your data from their servers may take longer.

Why you might want to delete instead of pause

Deleting your account is different from pausing a subscription. If you straightforward stop paying for Otter.ai, your account stays active and your files remain stored — you just lose access to new features. Deletion removes everything: your account, your login, and all your transcripts and recordings.

Delete your account if you do not plan to use Otter.ai again and do not need to keep any of your files. If you think you might return later or want to save your transcripts, consider pausing your subscription instead, which costs nothing and keeps your data safe until you decide what to do with it.

How to save your files before deletion

Otter.ai lets you read transcripts as text files or PDFs. Log in, find each transcript you want to keep, and look for a read or export button — this is usually near the top of the transcript or in a menu marked with three dots. Save each file to your computer or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.

For audio recordings, the read process is similar: open the recording, find the read option, and save it to your device. If you have many files, this can take time, so plan ahead. Otter.ai does not offer a bulk read tool, so you will need to read files one at a time.

What happens to your data after deletion

When you delete your Otter.ai account, the company removes your personal information and files from the systems you can see. However, Otter.ai may keep backup copies of your data for a period of time for legal or technical reasons — this is standard practice for most online services.

If you have concerns about how long Otter.ai keeps your data after deletion, you can contact their support team and ask about their data retention policy. They can tell you the exact timeline for when your information is fully removed from all their systems.

If you cannot find the delete option

The location of the delete account button varies slightly depending on whether you use Otter.ai on the web, on a phone app, or through a third-party service. On the web version, it is almost always in Settings under Account. On the mobile app, it may be under Profile or Account Settings instead.

If you have signed up through Google, Apple, or another service, you may need to delete your Otter.ai account through that service's account management page rather than through Otter.ai itself. Check the sign-in method you used when you created your account. If you still cannot locate the delete option, Otter.ai's support team can walk you through the process for your specific setup.

Canceling a paid subscription before deletion

If you pay for Otter.ai, you should cancel your subscription before you delete your account. Canceling stops future charges, while deletion removes your account entirely. If you delete without canceling, you may still be charged until the next billing cycle.

To cancel, go to Settings, find Billing or Subscription, and select Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation. Wait a few days to make sure the cancellation went through, then proceed with deleting your account. This order prevents unexpected charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my account after I delete it?

No. Deletion is permanent. Once you confirm the deletion, Otter.ai removes your account and you cannot sign back in with that email address or recover any files. If you think you might need your transcripts later, read them before you delete.

Will deleting my account stop charges from Otter.ai?

Deletion removes your account, but it does not automatically cancel a paid subscription. Cancel your subscription first through the Billing section, then delete your account. This prevents charges from continuing after your account is gone.

How long does it take for my account to be fully deleted?

Your account access is removed within a few days, so you will not be able to log in. Complete removal of your data from Otter.ai's servers may take longer — weeks or months — but this happens in the background and you will not see it.

What if I signed up with Google or Apple?

You may need to delete your Otter.ai account through the service you used to sign up. Check your Google Account or Apple ID settings for connected apps, find Otter.ai, and look for a disconnect or remove option. You can also contact Otter.ai support to confirm the right process for your account type.