What happens if I delete 1Password without exporting my passwords?

You will permanently lose access to all stored passwords, secure notes, credit cards, and documents. This could lock you out of hundreds of accounts permanently. This is an irrecoverable catastrophic data loss scenario. Always export and verify your data before deletion.

Can I delete my account if I'm a Family plan organizer?

Not while you have active family members. You must first remove all family members or transfer ownership to another family member. Once you're no longer the organizer with active members, you can proceed with account deletion.

Will I get a refund for my remaining subscription?

No. 1Password does not provide refunds for unused subscription time when you delete your account. If you have a year of prepaid subscription remaining, that value is completely forfeited. Consider using your subscription until it naturally expires before deletion.

How do I export my 1Password data?

Sign in to 1Password, go to File > Export, choose All Items, select .1pux format (recommended) or CSV, choose a secure location, and complete the export. The .1pux format preserves all data including attachments. CSV is compatible with other password managers but doesn't include attachments.

Is my exported 1Password data secure?

Export files (especially CSV) contain passwords in plain text or weakly encrypted format. These files are extremely sensitive and must be stored in an encrypted location. Use disk encryption, encrypted USB drives, or encrypt the export file separately. Delete export files once imported to new password manager.

Can I reactivate my 1Password account after deletion?

No. Account deletion is permanent and irreversible. However, you can create a new 1Password account if you want to return. You'll need to re-enter all passwords manually or import from backups. You'll start with a completely fresh account.

What password manager should I switch to after 1Password?

Popular alternatives include Bitwarden (open-source, affordable), LastPass (feature-rich), Dashlane (user-friendly), or KeePass (offline, maximum control). Research features, pricing, and security models. Most can import 1Password data. Consider trying several with free trials before committing.

How to Delete Your 1Password Account - Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Written & Verified By

Delete.Directory Content Team

Our team of privacy advocates and digital rights experts has helped over 100,000 users reclaim control of their online presence. We test every deletion process to ensure accuracy.

This guide helps you permanently delete your 1Password account. We believe in digital autonomy: your right to leave any platform should be as easy as joining it. Follow these verified steps to ensure complete account deletion.

How We Verified This Guide

Methodology: Hands-on testing with live accounts

Quick Information

Time Required

30 minutes

Difficulty

hard

Steps

5 steps

Official Resources

Official 1Password Support - Delete Your Account

Official deletion guide from 1Password

Additional Resources

[1]

1Password Privacy Policy

Official privacy policy explaining data handling and encryption

[2]

1Password Security Model

Details about 1Password's zero-knowledge security architecture

[3]

Export 1Password Data

Guide to exporting your vault data before account deletion

Step-by-Step Guide

Export ALL Vault Data to Secure Location

This is the most critical step. Export all passwords, secure notes, credit cards, documents, and other vault items. 1Password uses zero-knowledge encryption - once deleted, even 1Password cannot recover your data. Export in both 1Password format (.1pux) and CSV for compatibility with other password managers.

Tips

•Export to encrypted .1pux format for full data preservation
•Also export to CSV for compatibility with other password managers
•Include all vaults (Personal, Shared, Family)
•Export secure documents and attachments separately
•Store exported files in a secure, encrypted location
•Test the export file to ensure it's complete and readable

Warnings

•Once deleted, your passwords are PERMANENTLY IRRECOVERABLE by anyone
•1Password's zero-knowledge architecture means they cannot help you recover data
•Export files contain sensitive data - protect them with encryption

Set Up Alternative Password Manager

Before deleting 1Password, set up and test an alternative password manager. Import your exported 1Password data into the new password manager and verify all passwords work correctly. Popular alternatives include Bitwarden, LastPass, Dashlane, or KeePass.

Tips

•Research and choose a replacement password manager first
•Most password managers can import 1Password data
•Test importing with a few passwords before full migration
•Verify critical passwords work in new manager
•Update browser extensions and mobile apps with new manager

Warnings

•Do not delete 1Password until new password manager is fully functional
•Verify you can access critical accounts with new password manager

Remove All Team and Family Members

If you're the organizer of a 1Password Family or Team account, you must remove all members or transfer ownership before deletion. Go to the web interface, navigate to your team/family, and remove each member or transfer organizer role to someone else.

Tips

•Export family members' contact info if needed
•Notify family/team members before removal
•Transfer ownership to another member if continuing the family plan
•Ensure all members have access to their own vaults before removal
•Individual accounts can skip this step

Warnings

•Cannot delete account while serving as family/team organizer with active members
•Removed members lose access to shared vaults immediately

Cancel 1Password Subscription

Cancel your 1Password subscription before deleting your account. Log into your account on 1password.com, go to Settings > Billing, and cancel your subscription. Your access continues until the end of your billing period. For standalone license users, no cancellation is needed.

Tips

•Cancel subscription but keep account until you're ready to delete
•Access continues until end of current billing period
•No refunds for partially used subscription time
•Download your Emergency Kit before canceling
•Note your subscription end date

Warnings

•Remaining subscription time is forfeited without refund upon deletion
•Subscription must be canceled before account deletion is permitted

Delete Your 1Password Account

Once data is exported and subscription canceled, sign in to 1password.com, go to your account Settings, scroll to 'Delete Account', and follow the deletion process. You'll need your Master Password and Secret Key. 1Password will warn you about permanent data loss. Confirm deletion to permanently remove your account.

Tips

•Have your Master Password and Secret Key ready
•Read all warnings carefully before confirming
•Account deletion is immediate and irreversible
•Uninstall 1Password apps from all devices after deletion
•Remove browser extensions after deletion
•Delete Emergency Kit and Secret Key from storage

Warnings

•Account deletion is PERMANENT and IRREVERSIBLE
•All vault data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered
•1Password cannot help you recover data after deletion due to zero-knowledge encryption
•Ensure you have working access to all important accounts before deletion

Important Warnings

All Passwords Permanently and Irrecoverably Lost

1Password uses zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption. This means once your account is deleted, ALL passwords, secure notes, credit cards, and vault data are permanently and irrecoverably lost. Even 1Password cannot recover your data because they never had access to decrypt it. You could lose access to hundreds of accounts forever.

Must Have Working Alternative Password Solution

Do NOT delete 1Password until you have a fully functional alternative password management solution in place and tested. If you delete 1Password without a backup plan, you could be locked out of all your accounts permanently. This could cause catastrophic access loss to banking, email, social media, and work accounts.

Cannot Delete If Family/Team Organizer With Active Members

If you're the organizer of a 1Password Family or Team account with active members, you cannot delete your account. You must first remove all members or transfer ownership. Attempting deletion will fail. This protects other users from suddenly losing access to their password vaults.

Exported Data Files Contain All Passwords Unencrypted

When you export your 1Password vault to CSV or other formats, the export file contains all your passwords in plain text or weakly encrypted format. These files are extremely sensitive and must be protected with strong encryption and secure storage. If compromised, all your accounts are at risk.

No Refund for Remaining Subscription Time

1Password does not provide refunds for unused subscription time when you delete your account. If you have months or years of prepaid subscription remaining, that entire value is forfeited without compensation. It's better to use your subscription until natural expiration before deletion.

Watchtower Security Alerts Lost

1Password's Watchtower feature alerts you to compromised passwords, weak passwords, and security breaches. After deletion, you lose this proactive security monitoring. Ensure your alternative password manager offers similar breach monitoring capabilities.

Alternatives to Consider

Keep Account But Stop Adding New Passwords

easy

Maintain your 1Password account for existing passwords while gradually migrating to a new solution. This allows safe, gradual transition without risk of losing access to accounts.

Pros

•Zero risk of losing access to accounts
•Gradual migration at your own pace
•Keep Watchtower security monitoring during transition
•Can verify new password manager works before fully committing
•Maintain access to password history and old credentials

Cons

•Need to manage two password managers during transition
•Ongoing subscription cost for 1Password
•More complex password management temporarily
•Data still stored by 1Password

5 min

Export Data and Cancel Subscription Only

easy

Export your vault data and cancel the subscription but keep the account. Your data remains accessible without ongoing costs (though you can't add new items without resubscribing).

Pros

•Keep all passwords accessible in read-only mode
•No ongoing subscription costs
•Can resubscribe anytime if needed
•Safer than complete deletion
•Password history preserved

Cons

•Cannot add or edit passwords without subscription
•May have limited vault access on free tier
•Account data still stored by 1Password
•Some features disabled without subscription

10 min

Switch to Open-Source Alternative

medium

Migrate to an open-source password manager like Bitwarden or KeePass for more control over your data and potentially lower costs while maintaining password management capabilities.

Pros

•Open-source provides transparency and control
•Often free or lower cost than 1Password
•Can self-host for maximum privacy (KeePass, Bitwarden)
•Community audited security
•Export from 1Password is straightforward

Cons

•Learning curve with new interface
•May lack some premium 1Password features
•Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
•Migration effort required for all devices

120 min

Frequently Asked Questions

No. 1Password uses zero-knowledge encryption, meaning only you have the keys to decrypt your data. Once your account is deleted, all passwords are permanently and irrecoverably lost. Even 1Password cannot help because they never had access to your unencrypted data. Export everything before deletion.

References & Citations

[1]
1Password Privacy Policy
Official privacy policy explaining data handling and encryption
https://1password.com/legal/privacy/
[2]
1Password Security Model
Details about 1Password's zero-knowledge security architecture
https://1password.com/security/
[3]
Export 1Password Data
Guide to exporting your vault data before account deletion
https://support.1password.com/export/

All citations verified as of 11/8/2025. We regularly review and update all external links to ensure accuracy.

Found incorrect information?

We strive for accuracy. If something's outdated or wrong, let us know.

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lastpass

Alternative password manager with similar features

Critical Warnings

All Passwords Permanently and Irrecoverably Lost
1Password uses zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption. This means once your account is deleted, ALL pa...
Must Have Working Alternative Password Solution
Do NOT delete 1Password until you have a fully functional alternative password management solution i...
Cannot Delete If Family/Team Organizer With Active Members
If you're the organizer of a 1Password Family or Team account with active members, you cannot delete...

Last Updated

November 8, 2025

1Password Account Deletion

How We Verified This Guide

Quick Information

Official Resources

Additional Resources

Step-by-Step Guide

Export ALL Vault Data to Secure Location

Set Up Alternative Password Manager

Remove All Team and Family Members

Cancel 1Password Subscription

Delete Your 1Password Account

Important Warnings

All Passwords Permanently and Irrecoverably Lost

Must Have Working Alternative Password Solution

Cannot Delete If Family/Team Organizer With Active Members

Exported Data Files Contain All Passwords Unencrypted

No Refund for Remaining Subscription Time

Watchtower Security Alerts Lost

Alternatives to Consider

Keep Account But Stop Adding New Passwords

Export Data and Cancel Subscription Only

Switch to Open-Source Alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Citations

Found incorrect information?

Quick Navigation

Related Guides

Critical Warnings

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