Email ID associated with the Account is deleted

[snsrkrishna]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

Body

Hi team,
my repo account: https://github.com/oopsworld
associated email id: 'contact@oopsword.in' got deleted.
now I am not able to use this account.
I want to start using this repo. Is there a way to recover this account. I want to use the name "oopsworld"

[Dani-8]

Account Handle Availability & Recovery Guidelines for Deleted Accounts

Once a GitHub account is deleted, the account data itself cannot be directly restored. However, here is what you need to know regarding handle availability and how to proceed:

1. Username Availability (Name Reuse)

• Immediate Release: When a GitHub account is deleted, the handle (e.g., oopsworld) is typically released immediately back into the public pool, provided it is not subject to a trademark or security hold.
• How to Check: Try creating a new GitHub account or renaming an existing account to oopsworld via Settings -> Account -> Change username. If the handle is free, you can claim it right away.

2. Contact GitHub Support for Recovery / Claims

If you receive an error stating the username is taken or restricted when trying to sign up:

1. Submit a Ticket: Visit GitHub Support (support.github.com) and choose Account Recovery or Username Claim.
2. Provide Verification: Use the original email address (contact@oopsword.in) associated with the deleted account when contacting support to prove ownership.
3. Handle Reservation: In some cases, GitHub Support holds deleted usernames for a short period to prevent identity impersonation. Requesting release via the associated email allows support staff to manually free or assign the handle oopsworld back to you.

Note: Any repository code, PRs, or issues previously under github.com/oopsworld cannot be automatically restored after account deletion unless you have local Git backups on your machine to re-push.

[snsrkrishna]

Looks like Submit a Ticket: Visit GitHub Support (support.github.com) and choose Account Recovery or Username Claim.

process is changed, it is asking to login, and it loops back

[Swir]

From your description, the email mailbox was deleted. That does not automatically delete your GitHub account, so recovering access to the existing account is the first thing to try.

1. If you still know your password, try signing in with the username oopsworld, preferably using a browser you previously used for that account. Complete any required two-factor authentication. An existing passkey is another option if you previously configured one.

2. If you forgot the password, check whether you added another verified email address to the account. An eligible backup email can receive a [password reset](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/updating-your-github-access-credentials). A new email that was never linked to the account cannot be used for this.

3. Since your deleted mailbox used a custom domain, if you still control that domain, ask your email provider whether they can restore or recreate the exact mailbox. Once it receives new messages again, you can request a fresh GitHub verification or reset email. Any enabled 2FA will still apply.

After regaining access, go to Settings → Emails, add and verify a working email, then make it primary. [GitHub’s instructions](https://docs.github.com/en/account-and-profile/how-tos/email-preferences/changing-your-primary-email-address). Changing your email does not require changing your username.

What specifically blocks your login: a forgotten password, an email verification code, or a 2FA prompt?

[snsrkrishna]

thank you for reply, none of the above options are possible as every time Device verification kicks in to the same id

[kit1211]

Hi @snsrkrishna

If the email contact@oopsword.in was deleted and you cannot log in to github.com/oopsworld, account recovery depends on whether you still have access to any recovery method.

Step 1: Try password reset at github.com/password_reset using contact@oopsword.in. If the email no longer exists, reset will fail.

Step 2: If you have 2FA backup codes or a passkey registered, try login with those at github.com/login.

Step 3: If login is impossible, open GitHub Support at support.github.com, category Account and profile, Account access:
Explain: username oopsworld, email contact@oopsword.in no longer exists, need account recovery or email update.
Provide: any old commit SHA from the account, billing receipt if Pro, SSH key fingerprint if you still have the private key, approximate account creation date.

Step 4: Username oopsworld cannot be reclaimed by a new account while the old account exists. Support must either restore access or release the username after verifying ownership.

Step 5: If the account is abandoned and you cannot prove ownership, the username may remain locked indefinitely. GitHub does not sell or manually transfer usernames.

Do not create a duplicate account expecting to merge later. Focus on proving ownership to Support.

[snsrkrishna]

Thank you for reply, I am not able to open Github support, when navigated it is taking to authentication then sending the code the same email id which was deleted.

[kit1211]

Hi @snsrkrishna

Follow up on your device verification loop to deleted email contact@oopsword.in

Support login loop fix:

1. Do NOT sign in to support.github.com with oopsworld account
2. Open incognito browser, go to support.github.com
3. Choose Sign in problems, then I cannot sign in
4. Select I no longer have access to my email address on my account
5. Enter username oopsworld and a NEW working contact email you control
6. Describe: old email deleted, verification codes go to dead mailbox, need email update

Alternative if form still requires login:

1. github.com/login, click Forgot password
2. Choose path for lost email access if shown
3. Or use github.com/account/recovery if available in your region

If oopsword.in domain still yours:
Recreate mailbox contact@oopsword.in temporarily at your registrar to receive one verification code, then immediately add new email in Settings after login.

Evidence to include in any form:
Old commit SHA from oopsworld repos, account creation date, any billing receipt.

Do not register new account named oopsworld. Support must update email on existing account.

[yashkhou]

Losing access to the mailbox does not delete the GitHub account or its public repositories. If you can still authenticate to oopsworld with an existing password/passkey/2FA or another configured recovery method, sign in and add + verify a new email immediately.

If you are fully locked out, use GitHub's account-recovery flow and any recovery factor it offers (for example a recovery code, passkey/security key, verified device, SSH key, or eligible token). GitHub's current recovery policy is strict: Support cannot bypass missing recovery methods or restore an account through ID/social verification.

If recovery is impossible, you can still clone/fork the account's public repositories into a new account. The existing oopsworld username will not simply become available while that account still exists.

Official docs:
https://docs.github.com/en/site-policy/other-site-policies/github-account-recovery-policy
https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/securing-your-account-with-two-factor-authentication-2fa/recovering-your-account-if-you-lose-your-2fa-credentials