Understanding Deletion Options in MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal offers several levels of deletion, from minor adjustments to your daily logs to the permanent removal of your entire account. The methods for deleting data, meals, exercises, and even your account vary depending on the specific item and your device's operating system (iOS or Android). For day-to-day tracking, removing or editing entries is straightforward, while deleting your full account requires a more definitive process.
How to Delete Food and Exercise Entries
Deleting Food Diary Entries
Removing a food item from your daily log is a quick process, and the steps differ slightly between iOS and Android.
On iOS:
- Go to your 'Diary' page.
- Find the food item you wish to delete.
- Swipe horizontally (from right to left) across the item.
- Tap the red 'Delete' button that appears.
On Android:
- Navigate to your 'Diary' page.
- Press and hold on the food entry you want to remove.
- A menu will appear; select the option to 'Delete Entry'.
Deleting Exercise Diary Entries
Just like food, you can easily delete an exercise entry if it was logged incorrectly or needs to be removed.
On iOS:
- Open your 'Diary' page.
- Tap the 'Edit' or pencil icon at the top of the diary screen.
- Tap the selection icon next to the exercise entry you want to remove.
- Tap the trash can icon to delete.
On Android:
- From your 'Diary' page, tap the 'Edit' or pencil icon.
- Select the exercise item to highlight it.
- Tap the trash can icon at the top of the screen.
How to Delete Custom Recipes, Meals, and Foods
Beyond daily entries, you might want to clean up your library of custom-created items. This requires navigating to a different section of the app.
Deleting Custom Foods
- Tap the 'More' button (three dots or lines, depending on your device).
- Select 'My Meals, Recipes & Foods' and then choose 'Foods'.
- Tap the specific food you created.
- On the edit screen, find and tap the 'Delete Food' option.
Deleting Custom Meals
- Go to 'More' and then 'My Meals, Recipes & Foods'.
- Select the 'Meals' tab.
- On iOS, swipe the meal from right to left and tap 'Delete'.
- On Android, tap the three dots, select 'Edit', choose the meals, and tap the trash can.
Comparison Table: Data Deletion on MyFitnessPal
| Item Type | iOS Deletion Method | Android Deletion Method | Permanence | Recovery Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Entry | Swipe left, tap 'Delete' | Press & Hold, tap 'Delete' | Permanent for that day | None |
| Exercise Entry | 'Edit' -> Select -> 'Delete' | 'Edit' -> Select -> 'Delete' | Permanent for that day | None |
| Custom Food | 'My Foods' -> Swipe left, 'Delete' | 'My Foods' -> 3 dots -> 'Edit' -> Select -> 'Delete' | Permanent | Must recreate |
| Custom Meal | 'My Meals' -> Swipe left, 'Delete' | 'My Meals' -> 3 dots -> 'Edit' -> Select -> 'Delete' | Permanent | Must recreate |
| Account | 'More' -> 'Help' -> 'Delete Account' | 'Menu' -> 'Help' -> 'Delete Account' | Permanent | None |
How to Delete Your MyFitnessPal Account
Deleting your account is a serious and permanent action that will remove all your data, including your food diary, progress, and saved recipes. You should cancel any premium subscription first to avoid future charges.
General steps for iOS and Android:
- Open the MyFitnessPal app.
- Navigate to the 'More' or 'Menu' section.
- Tap 'Help'.
- Select 'Delete Account'.
- You will be asked to enter your password to confirm.
- Confirm the permanent deletion.
Alternatively, you can delete your account from the MyFitnessPal website. Log in, go to 'My Home', then 'Settings', and finally 'Delete Account'. This is useful if you no longer have access to the app.
Data Privacy and Management
MyFitnessPal's robust privacy options allow users to control their data visibility. While deleting your account removes all your data, you can also manage what's shared with others without fully deleting your account. This includes your profile and food diary settings, which can be adjusted to be completely private if desired.
What Happens When You Delete?
It's important to understand the permanence of deleting data within MyFitnessPal. While single entries can be removed easily, they cannot be recovered. Deleting your entire account is irreversible and all your health-related data, including your logged history and goals, will be permanently erased. Before proceeding with an account deletion, consider if simply resetting your profile goals or managing specific data might be a better option. For instance, you can update your starting weight and goals without wiping your entire history.
Conclusion
Yes, you can delete on the MyFitnessPal app, and you have several options for doing so, ranging from removing single diary entries to a complete, permanent account deletion. The process is straightforward and can be completed from your mobile device or the website. Whether you're cleaning up your daily logs, organizing your custom meals, or permanently erasing your data, MyFitnessPal provides the tools necessary for managing your information effectively. Remember that account deletion is final, so ensure you have canceled any premium subscriptions and are ready to lose all your logged data before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to delete a single food entry on iOS? Swipe the food entry to the left in your diary and tap the red 'Delete' button that appears.
Can I undo an account deletion on MyFitnessPal? No, deleting your account is a permanent action and cannot be reversed. All your data will be irreversibly erased.
How do I delete a custom food I created? Go to the 'More' menu, then 'My Meals, Recipes & Foods', tap 'Foods', select the custom food, and tap the 'Delete Food' option.
What happens to my premium subscription if I delete my account? Deleting your account does not automatically cancel your subscription. You must cancel your subscription through Apple's App Store, Google Play, or the MyFitnessPal website before deleting your account to avoid future charges.
Is there a way to clear all my data without deleting my account? While there is no single 'reset data' button, you can achieve a similar effect by updating your starting weight and goals and manually deleting older entries.
How do I delete a remembered meal on Android? Navigate to 'Recipes, Meals & Foods' from the menu, tap 'Meals', then tap the three dots on the top right, select 'Edit', choose the meal, and tap the trash can icon.
Can I delete an exercise entry from a past day? Yes, you can navigate to any past day in your diary and follow the same steps for deleting an exercise entry as you would for the current day.
