Unless specified otherwise, the instructions below are for a desktop browser, but the steps are usually similar on a phone. And if you're having trouble remembering all the accounts you created, then abandoned, follow the process laid out in CR's guide to finding old accounts. A number of services let you download personal information, such as posts and photos, before pulling the plug. We also include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms that you might want to quit, despite their continuing popularity. When you're ready to exorcise those ghosts of internet past, you can follow the directions below for a number of once-popular services. Unfortunately, some services hold onto your information even after you close an account, but it's still a smart move to shut down the public-facing access to your data once your relationship with a company is over. And if you're no longer using a company's service, there's little reason to let it continue to store and potentially monetize your information, he adds. If you use Apple Mail, you’re sitting on a lot of cached data. Get rid of unused Documents and Data from Mail. Select the data you want to delete and then tap on the trash icon to remove it. Data breaches that compromise old accounts can lead to identity theft, says Justin Brookman, director of privacy and technology policy for Consumer Reports. Under Documents & Data, head to the respective section and then tap Edit.

How to get rid of data usage