Add a second Gmail account in three steps
You can add another Gmail account to your phone, tablet, or computer without deleting the first one. Both accounts will receive mail, and you can switch between them without signing out. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, and Mac.
On a phone or tablet, open Gmail, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap "Add another account." Choose Gmail, enter the email address and password for the second account, and follow the prompts. On a computer, go to Gmail.com, click your profile picture, select "Add another account," and follow the same steps. Once you finish, both accounts will appear in your profile menu, and you can tap or click to switch between them.
Key Takeaways
- You can have multiple Gmail accounts on one device without removing the first one, and both will receive mail at the same time.
- The process is identical on phones, tablets, and computers: open Gmail, tap or click your profile picture, and select "Add another account."
- You need the password for the second Gmail account to add it, unless you use a passkey or two-factor authentication.
- Once added, you can switch between accounts by tapping or clicking your profile picture and selecting the account you want to use.
- Removing an account from your device does not delete the account itself or its mail — it only stops syncing it to that device.
What happens when you add a second account
Adding a second Gmail account does not affect your first one. Both accounts stay active, both receive new mail, and both keep their contacts, labels, and settings separate. When you add the second account, your device creates a new profile for it with its own inbox, sent mail folder, and notification settings.
You can set different notification sounds, vibration patterns, and sync schedules for each account. For example, you might turn off notifications for a work account after hours but keep them on for a personal account. Each account also remembers which folders you have open and which emails you have read, so switching between them does not mix up your mail.
Adding an account on Android phones and tablets
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will appear with your current account email address. Tap "Add another account" at the bottom of that menu. Select "Google" from the list of account types.
Enter the email address for the second account and tap "Next." Enter the password and tap "Next" again. Google will ask you to review your account information and confirm that you want to add it. Tap "I agree" to finish. The account will now appear in your profile menu, and Gmail will start syncing mail from both accounts.
Adding an account on iPhones and iPads
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap "Add another account," then select "Google." Enter the email address and tap "Next." Type in the password and tap "Next" again.
You may see a screen asking for permission to access your account information. Tap "Allow" to continue. Google will then ask you to confirm that you want to add the account. Tap "Yes" to finish. Both accounts will now sync on your device, and you can switch between them from your profile menu.
Adding an account on Windows and Mac computers
Go to Gmail.com in your web browser. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Add another account." Choose "Google" from the options. Enter the email address for the second account and click "Next." Type the password and click "Next" again.
Google will ask you to confirm your identity and review your account details. Click "I agree" to finish. The second account will now appear in your profile menu at the top right of Gmail. You can click your profile picture at any time to switch between accounts without signing out of either one.
If you use two-factor authentication or a passkey
If the second Gmail account has two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to enter a code from your phone or authenticator app during the setup process. Google will send a code to the phone number or email address linked to that account. Enter the code when prompted, and the account will be added.
If the account uses a passkey instead of a password, your device will ask you to unlock it using your fingerprint, face, or PIN. This is more find than a password and works the same way. The account will be added once you unlock it.
Removing an account or switching the default account
To remove an account from your device, open Gmail, tap or click your profile picture, and find the account you want to remove. On phones and tablets, swipe left on the account name (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), then tap "Remove account." On computers, click the three dots next to the account name and select "Remove account." The account will no longer sync to that device, but the account itself and all its mail remain on Google's servers.
To change which account appears first in your profile menu, open Gmail settings. On phones and tablets, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to "Settings," tap your account name, and look for "Default account" or "Primary account." On computers, click the gear icon, select "Settings," go to the "Accounts and Import" tab, and choose which account you want as your default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more than two Gmail accounts to one device?
Yes. You can add as many Gmail accounts as you want to a single device. Each account will appear in your profile menu, and you can switch between them at any time. The process is the same for the third, fourth, or fifth account as it is for the second.
Will adding a second account slow down my device?
No. Adding another Gmail account uses very little storage space and will not noticeably affect your device's speed. Gmail syncs mail in the background, and you can adjust how often each account syncs in your settings if you want to save battery or data.
What if I forget the password for the second account?
You can reset the password on Google's account recovery page without removing the account from your device. Go to accounts.google.com, click "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to reset it. Once you reset the password, you may need to re-enter it in Gmail on your device.
Does adding an account to my phone also add it to my computer?
No. Each device is separate. If you add a second account to your phone, it will not automatically appear on your computer. You will need to add it to your computer using the same process. This gives you control over which accounts sync to which devices.
Can I use the same recovery email for two different Gmail accounts?
Yes. You can use the same recovery email address or phone number for multiple Gmail accounts. This makes it easier to reset passwords or recover accounts if you forget your login information.