How to Sign Out of an Amazon Account: A Comprehensive Guide

Signing out of your Amazon account is a fundamental security practice, especially when using shared devices or public computers. This simple act safeguards your personal information and prevents unauthorized access to your purchase history, payment details, and other sensitive data. Let’s get right to it: signing out of your Amazon account is done by navigating to the “Account & Lists” section, then selecting “Sign Out” at the bottom of the dropdown menu. It’s straightforward, but the steps vary slightly depending on the device you’re using. Below, we break down the process across various platforms and answer frequently asked questions to ensure you’re always in control of your Amazon account.

Signing Out on Different Devices

The specific steps for signing out of your Amazon account vary slightly based on whether you’re using a web browser on a computer, the Amazon mobile app, or a device like a Fire TV or Kindle.

Signing Out on a Computer (Web Browser)

This is perhaps the most common method. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Amazon Website: Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and navigate to Amazon’s website.
2. Hover Over “Account & Lists”: In the upper-right corner of the page, you’ll see an option labeled “Account & Lists.” Hover your mouse cursor over this option to reveal a dropdown menu.
3. Select “Sign Out”: Scroll to the bottom of the dropdown menu. You will find a “Sign Out” option. Click on it.
4. Confirmation: After clicking, you will be redirected to the Amazon homepage, and your account information will no longer be displayed. You have successfully signed out.

Signing Out on the Amazon Mobile App (iOS and Android)

The mobile app provides a convenient way to shop on the go. Ensure you sign out when you’re done, especially on shared devices:

1. Open the Amazon App: Launch the Amazon app on your iOS or Android device.
2. Tap the Menu Icon: Look for the menu icon, usually represented by three horizontal lines (often called a “hamburger menu”) in the bottom-right corner (iOS) or top-left corner (Android).
3. Navigate to “Settings” or “Customer Service”: The exact wording can vary slightly depending on the app version. You’re looking for a path that leads to account settings. Commonly, it will be “Customer Service” and then “Account Settings”.
4. Find and Tap “Sign Out”: Within the settings or account options, scroll until you find the “Sign Out” option. Tap on it.
5. Confirm Sign Out: The app might ask you to confirm your decision. If prompted, confirm that you want to sign out.

Signing Out on Amazon Fire TV

If you’re using a shared Fire TV, signing out is crucial to prevent others from accessing your account:

1. Go to Settings: From the Fire TV home screen, navigate to the “Settings” menu.
2. Select “My Account”: Within the settings, find and select the “My Account” or “Account & Profile Settings” option.
3. Choose “Amazon Account”: You should see your Amazon account listed. Select it.
4. Select “Deregister”: Instead of “Sign Out,” Fire TV uses the term “Deregister.” This effectively removes your account from the device. You might need to confirm this action.
5. Confirm Deregistration: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm that you want to deregister your account.

Signing Out on Kindle Devices

Similar to Fire TV, Kindle devices use “Deregister” instead of “Sign Out.”

1. Go to Settings: From the Kindle home screen, tap the menu icon (usually three vertical dots) and select “Settings.”
2. Select “My Account”: In the settings menu, find and select “My Account.”
3. Choose “Deregister Device”: You will see the option to “Deregister Device.” Tap on it.
4. Confirm Deregistration: A warning message will appear, letting you know what happens when you deregister. Confirm that you want to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about signing out of your Amazon account, covering various scenarios and potential issues:

1. What happens when I sign out of my Amazon account?

When you sign out, your account information is removed from the specific device or browser you’re using. This means that anyone else using the device will not be able to access your purchase history, payment methods, or other personal data. You’ll need to sign back in with your email and password to access your account again.

2. Is it necessary to sign out of my Amazon account on my personal computer?

While not strictly necessary on your personal computer, it’s still a good security practice, especially if your computer is ever used by others, even family members. It adds an extra layer of protection against accidental purchases or unauthorized access. If you have a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication enabled, the risk is lower, but signing out is still recommended.

3. How do I sign out of my Amazon account on all devices at once?

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t offer a single “Sign Out Everywhere” button. You would need to deregister or sign out individually on each device. However, you can change your password. When you change your password, Amazon will require all logged-in devices to re-authenticate using the new password, effectively forcing a sign-out. You can do this through the Account & Security settings.

4. What’s the difference between “Sign Out” and “Deregister” on Amazon devices?

“Sign Out” is typically used in contexts where your account information is temporarily removed from a device (like a web browser or mobile app). “Deregister” is used for devices like Fire TV and Kindle, where the device is completely disassociated from your Amazon account. Deregistering requires you to re-register the device with your account later.

5. I forgot my Amazon password. How can I sign out?

If you’ve forgotten your password and are logged in on a device, you can still sign out using the methods described above. If you’re not logged in anywhere and need to regain access to your account, use the “Forgot your password?” link on the sign-in page. Amazon will guide you through the password recovery process.

6. Why am I still logged in even after signing out?

This can happen if your browser or app has cached your login credentials. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, or force-close and restart the Amazon app. This should completely remove your login information.

7. How do I prevent others from signing in to my Amazon account on my device?

Beyond signing out, the best protection is a strong, unique password and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone in addition to your password when signing in from a new device. This makes it significantly harder for someone to access your account even if they know your password.

8. What should I do if I suspect someone has accessed my Amazon account without my permission?

Immediately change your password and enable two-factor authentication. Then, review your order history for any suspicious purchases. Contact Amazon customer service to report the unauthorized access and dispute any fraudulent charges.

9. Can I sign out of Amazon accounts from multiple profiles on a shared device?

Yes, on devices like Fire TV, you can manage multiple user profiles, each linked to a separate Amazon account. You will need to switch to each profile and then deregister/sign out from that specific profile.

10. Does signing out delete my Amazon account?

No, signing out simply removes your account information from the specific device or browser you are using. It does not delete your Amazon account. To permanently delete your Amazon account, you need to go through a separate process, which involves contacting Amazon customer service.

11. Is it safe to stay signed in to my Amazon account all the time?

While convenient, staying signed in indefinitely increases the risk if your device is lost, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized individuals. It is generally safer to sign out when you’re not actively using your account, especially on shared devices.

12. What if the “Sign Out” option is missing from my Amazon app?

This is rare, but if you can’t find the “Sign Out” option, try updating the Amazon app to the latest version. If that doesn’t work, clear the app’s cache and data in your phone’s settings (this will require you to sign in again). As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the app. If the problem persists, contact Amazon customer support for assistance.