Does Riot Delete Inactive Accounts? The Definitive Guide

Yes, Riot Games does delete inactive accounts under specific circumstances. While they don’t automatically purge all dormant accounts, they have a policy in place to remove accounts that have been inactive for an extended period and haven’t contributed significantly to the Riot ecosystem. This article dives deep into Riot’s account deletion policy, explaining the criteria, timelines, and what you can do to prevent your account from being removed. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Understanding Riot’s Account Deletion Policy

Riot’s policy is primarily aimed at removing accounts that are considered “inactive” and “low-value.” This helps them manage their database, free up usernames, and potentially address security concerns associated with abandoned accounts. The core principles behind their deletion policy are:

• Inactive Accounts: An account is generally considered inactive if there hasn’t been any login activity across any Riot Games title (League of Legends, Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, etc.), applications, or web properties for a significant period. The exact duration isn’t explicitly stated, but it is believed to be over three years.
• Limited Activity/Engagement: Accounts eligible for deletion typically haven’t made any purchases or received any game currency (Riot Points or Valorant Points). They also haven’t shown significant gameplay progress or unlocked substantial content.

The main rationale behind deleting the accounts is to keep data around for as long as necessary. Riot is committed to only keeping data around for as long as necessary, and this means removing accounts that both haven’t been active in a while and never did much to begin with (e.g., never bought anything, played many games, unlocked much content, etc).

The Deletion Process

Before permanently deleting an account, Riot takes steps to notify the account holder. You can expect the following:

• Email Notifications: Riot will send email notifications to the email address associated with the account, providing an opportunity to take action and prevent deletion. It’s crucial to keep your email address updated to receive these notifications.
• Opportunity to Reactivate: These emails will contain instructions on how to reactivate your account, usually by simply logging in. Logging into any Riot Games title or accessing a Riot web property with your account credentials will typically reset the inactivity timer.

The 30-Day Grace Period

If you explicitly request your account to be deleted, Riot provides a 30-day grace period. During this time:

• Account is Inaccessible: You won’t be able to access your account.
• Reversal Option: You can reverse the deletion process by replying to the automated message sent to your email address.

If you do not act within these 30 days, your account will be fully deleted and is unable to be recovered.

How to Prevent Account Deletion

The easiest way to prevent your Riot account from being deleted due to inactivity is to simply log in to any Riot game or service at least once every few years. This simple action will reset the inactivity timer and signal to Riot that you still want to keep your account active.

Here are other ways to show that you actively use your account:

• Make a Purchase: Buying Riot Points or Valorant Points is an obvious sign of active engagement.
• Play Games Regularly: Consistent gameplay across any Riot title will keep your account active.
• Engage with Riot’s Content: Visiting Riot’s websites, forums, or social media channels using your account can also contribute to maintaining activity.

Recovering a Riot Account

If your account has been deleted, recovering it may not be possible. Account deletion will permanently delete all personal information associated with your account. You’ll never be able to access the account again, and once it’s gone, there’s no bringing it back.

However, if you know that your account has not been deleted yet, you can recover it by following these steps:

1. Go to the Account Recovery Page: Access the Riot Games account recovery page.
2. Click “Forgot Username?”: Since you’re recovering an old account, you might not remember your username. Click this option.
3. Follow the Instructions: Provide the requested information to verify your identity and regain access to your account. You may need access to the original email associated with the account.

FAQs: Inactive Riot Accounts

Here are some frequently asked questions about Riot’s account deletion policy:

1. How long does it take for Riot to delete an inactive account?

The exact timeframe is not explicitly stated, but an account is considered inactive after three years without any login activity and limited engagement.

2. What happens when Riot deletes my account?

All personal information associated with your account is permanently deleted. You’ll lose access to all your games, skins, progress, and purchases. There’s no way to recover a deleted account.

3. Can I use my deleted username, Riot ID, or email for a new account?

Yes, after the deletion is finalized, your username, Riot ID, Summoner Name, and email address will be usable with a new account.

4. How do I request that my Riot account be deleted?

You can request account deletion by contacting Riot Support. Provide your account details and clearly state your request.

5. What is the grace period for account deletion requests?

Riot provides a 30-day grace period after you request account deletion. During this time, you can reverse the deletion process.

6. Does Riot delete accounts with purchased content?

Riot does not typically delete accounts that have purchased any game currency (Riot Points or Valorant Points), as they are seen as valuable accounts.

7. Can I have multiple Riot accounts?

Yes, you can have multiple Riot accounts on the same or different servers, as long as you don’t share them or use them to boost other players.

8. Is it possible to recover a permanently deleted Riot account?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to recover a permanently deleted Riot account. This action is irreversible.

9. Will I receive a warning before my account is deleted for inactivity?

Yes, Riot will send email notifications to the email address associated with your account, providing an opportunity to reactivate it.

10. What is considered “activity” to prevent account deletion?

Logging into any Riot game, application, or web property is considered activity. Making purchases, playing games, or engaging with Riot’s content also counts.

11. If I only play one Riot game, does that keep my account active for all Riot titles?

Yes, logging into one Riot game (e.g., League of Legends) will keep your account active across all Riot titles (e.g., Valorant, TFT, LoR).

12. Can someone else take my username if my account is deleted?

Yes, after the deletion is finalized, your username becomes available for others to use when creating new accounts.

13. What should I do if I can’t remember my Riot account details?

You can use the account recovery tools on the Riot Games website to retrieve your username and reset your password.

14. What happens to my game data if my account is deleted?

All your game data, including progress, unlocks, and statistics, will be permanently deleted along with your account.

15. Are there any exceptions to Riot’s account deletion policy?

Riot may make exceptions in certain cases, such as when required by law. However, these exceptions are rare.

In conclusion, while Riot does delete inactive accounts, it’s a policy focused on accounts that haven’t been used in years and haven’t contributed to the ecosystem. By simply logging in to your account periodically, you can easily prevent it from being deleted. Be sure to keep your registered email up-to-date, and engage with the awesome community and insights from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.