Otter.ai account deletion removes your account and all stored transcripts
Deleting your Otter.ai account is permanent. Once you confirm deletion, Otter removes your login credentials, your transcripts, your workspace settings, and any files you uploaded. You cannot recover the account or its contents afterward. The process takes a few minutes and happens through your account settings, not through customer support.
Before you delete, read any transcripts you want to keep. Otter stores them as text files, PDFs, or in their native format. After deletion, these files are gone from Otter's servers. If you only want to stop using Otter but might return later, you can deactivate instead — that suspends your account without erasing your data, though Otter will eventually delete inactive accounts after a set period of inactivity.
Key Takeaways
- read your transcripts before deleting your account, because deletion is permanent and Otter will not recover them afterward.
- The delete option is in your account settings under "Workspace Settings" or "Account," depending on whether you use Otter on web or mobile.
- Otter will ask you to confirm deletion and may ask why you are leaving; this confirmation step cannot be undone.
- Deactivation temporarily suspends your account without erasing data, but Otter will eventually delete deactivated accounts that remain inactive for an extended period.
- If you have a paid subscription, canceling your account does not automatically refund unused time — contact Otter support about refunds before you delete.
How to read your transcripts before deletion
Open Otter.ai and log in. Go to your workspace or library — the section where your transcripts appear as a list. Select the transcript you want to keep. Look for a read or export button, usually represented by a downward arrow or labeled "Export." Otter offers formats including text (.txt), PDF, and sometimes Word (.docx), depending on your account type.
If you have many transcripts, read them one at a time or check whether Otter offers a bulk export option in your account settings. Some paid plans allow you to export multiple files at once. If you cannot find a bulk option, you will need to read each transcript individually. This process can take time if you have hundreds of files, so plan accordingly.
Save the files to your computer or cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) so you have them after deletion. Do not rely on Otter's servers to hold them while you decide whether to delete — once your account is gone, the files are inaccessible.
Steps to delete your account on the web
Log into Otter.ai on your browser. Click your profile icon or avatar, usually in the top right corner of the screen. Select "Account Settings" or "Settings" from the dropdown menu. Look for a section labeled "Account," "Workspace Settings," or "Danger Zone" — different versions of Otter place this in different locations.
Scroll to the bottom of the settings page. You should see a button or link that says "Delete Account," "Delete Workspace," or "Close Account." Click it. Otter will show a warning that explains deletion is permanent and will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully. Some versions ask you to type your email address or a confirmation phrase to prove you understand what you are doing.
Click the final confirmation button. Your account will be deleted when ready. You will be logged out, and when you try to log in with that email address, Otter will tell you the account no longer exists.
Deleting your account on mobile (iOS and Android)
Open the Otter app on your phone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) or your profile picture, usually at the bottom or top of the screen. Navigate to "Settings" or "Account Settings." Scroll down to find the account deletion option — it may be labeled "Delete Account," "Remove Account," or "Close Account."
Tap the delete option. Otter will display a confirmation message explaining that deletion is permanent. Confirm your choice by tapping the final button or entering your email address if prompted. The app will log you out when ready.
The mobile process is faster than the web version but works the same way. If you cannot find the delete option in your mobile app, log into Otter through a web browser instead — the web version always has a visible delete option.
What happens to your subscription after deletion
Deleting your account does not automatically cancel your subscription or refund unused time. If you pay monthly or annually for Otter, you will continue to be charged until you cancel the subscription separately. Before you delete your account, cancel your subscription through your payment method or through Otter's billing settings.
To cancel a subscription, go to "Account Settings" and look for "Billing," "Subscription," or "Payment Method." Select your active plan and choose "Cancel Subscription." Some payment processors (Apple, Google Play, Stripe) require you to cancel through their platform instead of through Otter directly. If you subscribed through your phone's app store, cancel through that app store's settings.
If you have already been charged after deleting your account, contact Otter support with your receipt or transaction ID. They can review your request for a refund, though refund policies vary by subscription type and how long ago the charge occurred.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are not certain you want to delete permanently, you can deactivate your account instead. Deactivation hides your account and stops your subscription, but Otter keeps your data on its servers. You can reactivate by logging back in with your email and password, and your transcripts will still be there.
Deactivated accounts remain on Otter's servers for a limited time. Otter's policy states that accounts inactive for a certain period (the exact timeframe varies) will be permanently deleted automatically. If you think you might return within a few months, deactivation is safer than deletion. If you know you will not use Otter again, deletion is cleaner because it removes your data from their servers sooner.
To deactivate instead of delete, look for a "Deactivate Account" or "Pause Account" option in your settings. This option appears near the delete button but is separate from it.
What to do if you cannot find the delete option
If your account settings do not show a delete option, you may be using an older version of the Otter app or a different product (Otter for Business, for example, has different account management). Update your app to the latest version through your app store and try again.
If the delete option still does not appear, log into Otter through a web browser instead of the mobile app. The web version consistently has a visible delete option. If you still cannot locate it after updating and trying the web version, contact Otter support through their help center. Provide your email address and explain that you want to delete your account. Support can delete it for you, though this route takes longer than self-service deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my account or transcripts after deletion?
No. Deletion is permanent and irreversible. Otter does not maintain backups of deleted accounts for recovery. If you deleted your account by mistake, you cannot undo it. You would need to create a new account and re-upload or re-record any transcripts you need.
Will deleting my account stop charges to my credit card?
Deletion does not automatically cancel your subscription. You must cancel your subscription separately through your billing settings or your payment processor (Apple, Google Play, your credit card company). Cancel before you delete to avoid being charged after your account is gone.
How long does account deletion take?
Deletion is when ready. Once you confirm, your account is removed from Otter's active systems right away. You will be logged out and cannot log back in. However, Otter may take additional time to fully purge your data from their backup systems — this happens behind the scenes and is not visible to you.
What is the difference between deactivation and deletion?
Deactivation suspends your account and stops charges, but keeps your transcripts and data on Otter's servers. You can reactivate by logging in again. Deletion removes your account and all data permanently. Deactivation is reversible; deletion is not.
Do I need to contact support to delete my account?
No. You can delete your account yourself through your settings in under five minutes. Contact support only if you cannot find the delete option after updating your app or if you need help canceling your subscription first.