What the default account does and how to change it
Your default Gmail account is the one that opens automatically when you click a Gmail link, sign into Gmail on a new browser, or use Gmail features in other apps. If you have multiple Gmail accounts, changing the default means a different account will load first instead.
The method depends on where you're changing it. On a computer, you switch the default by signing out of all accounts and signing back in with the one you want first. On a phone or tablet, you change it in your device settings or in the Gmail app itself. The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Your default account is whichever Gmail account is listed first when you're signed into multiple accounts on the same device.
- On a computer, sign out completely, then sign back in with the account you want to be default — it will be the primary one from then on.
- On Android, go to Settings > Accounts and set your preferred Gmail account as the default in the Accounts section.
- On iPhone or iPad, the default is whichever account you added first in the Gmail app; remove and re-add accounts in the order you want them.
- Changing the default on one device does not affect your default on other devices — you must change each one separately.
Changing your default account on a computer
Open Gmail in your web browser and look at the top right corner, where you'll see your profile picture or initial. Click it to see all the accounts you're signed into. If you have multiple accounts showing, you're signed into more than one.
Click "Sign out of all accounts" at the bottom of that menu. This logs you out everywhere on that browser. Then go back to Gmail.com and sign in again — but this time, sign in with the account you want to be your default. Once you're in, you can add your other accounts back by clicking your profile picture, selecting "Add another account," and entering the login details. The first account you sign into becomes your default, and the others appear as secondary accounts you can switch between.
If you use Gmail in multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), you'll need to repeat this process in each one. The default account is set per browser, not across all of them.
Changing your default account on Android
Open your phone's Settings app and scroll down to find "Accounts" or "Accounts and passwords" — the exact name varies by phone maker. Tap it, then look for "Google" or "Gmail" in the list of account types. Tap that option to see all your Gmail accounts on this phone.
The account at the top of the list is your default. To change it, you'll need to remove the current default and re-add it below the account you want to be primary. Tap the account you want to remove, then tap "Remove account." After you've removed it, tap "Add account," select "Google," and sign back in with that account's details. It will now appear lower in the list, making your other account the default.
Alternatively, open the Gmail app itself, tap your profile picture in the top right, and look for account settings. Some Android phones let you set the default directly from the Gmail app without touching system settings — check under "Manage your Google Account" to see if that option is available on your device.
Changing your default account on iPhone or iPad
Open the Gmail app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Scroll down and tap "Settings." You'll see a list of all your Gmail accounts. The order they appear in determines which one is default — the first one in the list is your primary account.
To change the order, look for an "Edit" button or three-line drag handle next to each account name. Tap "Edit" if you see it, then drag the account you want to be default to the top of the list. If there's no edit mode, you'll need to remove accounts and re-add them in the order you want. Tap the account you want to move down, select "Remove this account," then add it back by tapping "Add another account" and signing in again. The new account you add will appear at the bottom of the list.
Changes made in the Gmail app only affect Gmail itself. If you use Gmail through Apple Mail or another email client on your iPhone, you'll need to change the default there separately.
What happens when you change your default account
Once you've set a new default, that account will be the one that opens when you click a Gmail link from another website or app. If someone sends you a Gmail link and you're not signed in, Gmail will ask you to sign in — and it will remember your default account, making it the first option.
Your other accounts don't disappear. You can still switch between them by clicking your profile picture (on a computer) or the menu (on a phone) and selecting a different account. Changing the default doesn't delete anything or change your passwords — it only changes which account loads first.
If you use Gmail with other apps — like Slack, Trello, or your phone's calendar — those apps may use your default Gmail account to sign you in or send notifications. Changing your default might change which account those apps use, so check your settings in those apps if you notice a change in behavior.
Fixing a default account that won't change
If you've tried to change your default and it's not sticking, the most common cause is that you didn't fully sign out before signing back in. On a computer, make sure you click "Sign out of all accounts," not just "Sign out." Close the browser tab completely, then open a new tab and go to Gmail.com fresh.
On a phone, try clearing the Gmail app's cache. Go to Settings > Apps > Gmail, tap "Storage," and select "Clear cache." This doesn't delete your account or emails — it just clears temporary files. Then open Gmail again and check your account order.
If you're using a work or school Gmail account managed by your organization, your IT department may have locked the default account setting. Contact them to see if they've restricted which account can be default on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my default account on one device change it on all my devices?
No. Your default account is set separately on each device and each browser. If you change it on your phone, your computer will keep its own default. You'll need to change the default on each device where you use Gmail if you want them all to match.
Will changing my default account affect my emails or passwords?
No. Changing the default only changes which account opens first. All your emails stay in their original accounts, and your passwords don't change. You can still access all your accounts after changing the default.
What if I have a Gmail account through work or school?
Work and school accounts sometimes have restrictions set by your organization. If you can't change your default account, your IT department may have locked that setting. Contact them to ask if they can change it or allow you to change it yourself.
Can I set a default account for Gmail on my tablet?
Yes. On an iPad, follow the same steps as iPhone — open the Gmail app, go to Settings, and reorder your accounts. On an Android tablet, use the same method as an Android phone: go to Settings > Accounts, find Google, and reorder your Gmail accounts there.
If I remove an account from my device, will it delete my emails?
No. Removing an account from your device just signs you out of it on that device. Your emails stay in your Gmail account online. You can sign back in anytime and see all your emails again.