How to Delete a Fastmail Account

Last updated: July 6, 2026 · Verified against the current process

Quick answer Export your mail over IMAP (or with Fastmail's export tools), move logins off the address, and — if you use a custom domain — repoint its MX records to a new host first. Then in Fastmail go to Settings, open the account/security area, and look for Delete account. Closing is prepaid, so you generally forfeit remaining time rather than getting an automatic refund.

Fastmail is a paid, standards-friendly provider, which actually makes it one of the easier accounts to leave cleanly: full IMAP means a complete backup is simple. The step people overlook is the custom domain. If your mail runs on your own domain, deleting Fastmail doesn't touch the domain itself, but it does stop Fastmail delivering its mail — so you need a new home for that domain before you close.

Export your Fastmail data

  1. Download mail over IMAP

    Add your Fastmail account to Thunderbird or Apple Mail over IMAP and let every folder sync down. This is the most complete backup because it mirrors your mailbox exactly in a standard format. If two-factor authentication is on, generate an app password in Fastmail's security settings for the client to use.

  2. Use Fastmail's export tools

    In Settings, Fastmail provides export options for mail, contacts, and calendars. Download these archives if you'd rather have direct files than rely on a client sync.

  3. Save contacts and calendars

    Export your address book and any calendars separately so nothing is left behind when the account closes.

Move logins off the address

Search your inbox for verify, welcome, receipt, and reset your password to find the services tied to this address, and switch each to a replacement before you delete. After closure, those messages bounce and you can be locked out. If your address was on a custom domain, redirect it to your new mail host as part of the domain step below so recovery mail still reaches you during the transition. This is also a good moment to move to email aliases so future migrations are painless.

Custom domains and billing

Repoint your custom domain before deleting Deleting Fastmail does not delete your domain, but Fastmail stops handling its mail. Set up a new email host and update the domain's MX records at your DNS provider first — otherwise every address on that domain goes dark the moment the account closes.

On billing: Fastmail is prepaid, so closing an account partway through a term usually forfeits the remaining time rather than issuing an automatic refund. If you think a refund applies to your case, contact Fastmail support before deleting — it's far easier to resolve while the account is still open.

Delete the Fastmail account

Closing is permanent Once the account is closed, the mailbox and its data are removed and mail to the address bounces. Confirm your backups, login changes, and domain repointing are done first.
  1. Open Settings on the web

    Sign in at fastmail.com and open Settings.

  2. Go to the account or security area

    Look under the account, privacy, or password/security section for account-management options. The deletion control is placed away from everyday settings.

  3. Choose Delete account

    Select Delete account (or Close account). Fastmail asks you to confirm your password to prove you're the owner.

  4. Confirm the closure

    Read the summary of what will be removed and confirm. The account is closed and scheduled for permanent deletion.

Recovery, recycling, and what breaks

Frequently asked questions

What happens to my custom domain when I delete Fastmail?

You still own the domain at your registrar; deleting Fastmail does not delete it. But Fastmail stops handling its mail, so you must point the domain's MX records to a new email host, or mail sent to any address on that domain will stop being delivered. Set up the new host before you close the account.

Do I get a refund when I close my Fastmail account?

Fastmail is prepaid, so closing an account mid-term generally forfeits the remaining time rather than triggering an automatic refund. If you believe a refund applies to your situation, contact Fastmail support before you delete, because a closed account is harder to sort out afterward.

How do I export all my Fastmail email?

Connect Fastmail to a desktop client like Thunderbird or Apple Mail over IMAP and let it download every folder, which gives you a complete standard copy. Fastmail also offers export tools in its settings for mail, contacts, and calendars if you prefer to download archives directly.

Can I reuse my Fastmail address after deleting the account?

Treat the address as retired. Once the account is closed the address stops receiving mail and senders get a bounce. Do not plan around reclaiming the same address later, and move any logins that depend on it before you delete.

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