Why and when to remove a device
You remove a device from your Google Account when you sell it, give it away, lose it, or straightforward stop using it. Once removed, that device can no longer access your Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or any other Google service signed in under your account — even if someone else has the password. This is the main reason to do it: cutting off access to a device you no longer control.
The other reason is housekeeping. If you have owned Android phones or tablets for years, your account may still show devices you threw away five years ago. Cleaning these out makes it easier to spot if an unfamiliar device suddenly appears — a sign someone may have your password.
You do not need to remove a device before selling it if you plan to factory reset it first. A factory reset erases everything and signs you out automatically. But if you are selling a device without resetting it, or if you lost it, removing it from your account is the fastest way to lock it out.
Key Takeaways
- You remove devices through your Google Account security page, not through the device itself.
- Removing a device signs it out of your Google Account when ready, even if the device is offline.
- You can see the device name, type, and last time it connected before you remove it.
- If you remove a device by mistake, you can sign back in on that device using your password and two-step verification.
How to remove a device on a computer
Go to myaccount.google.com in any web browser and sign in if you are not already. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down until you see a section called Your devices — it shows a list of phones, tablets, and computers currently signed into your account.
Find the device you want to remove and click on it. A panel will open showing the device name, the type (Android phone, iPhone, Windows computer, etc.), and when it last connected to Google. At the bottom of this panel, click Remove. Google will ask you to confirm — click Remove again. That device is now signed out of your Google Account.
If you do not see the device you are looking for, it may have been offline for a long time or already signed out. Google only shows devices that have connected in the past few months. If you recently factory reset a device, it will disappear from this list within a day or two.
How to remove a device on an Android phone or tablet
Open Settings and scroll down to find Google or Accounts (the exact name varies by phone maker). Tap it, then tap Google if you see a list of accounts. Tap Manage your Google Account, then tap the Security tab at the top.
Scroll down to Your devices and tap it. You will see the same list of devices as on a computer. Find the one you want to remove, tap it, and tap Remove. Confirm when Google asks. The device will be signed out when ready.
How to remove a device on an iPhone or iPad
Open the Gmail app or any Google app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Manage your Google Account, then tap Security. Scroll down to Your devices and tap it.
Find the device you want to remove and tap it. Tap Remove, then confirm. If you do not see a Remove button, try scrolling down in the device details panel — it may be below the fold.
What happens after you remove a device
The device is signed out of your Google Account when ready. If the device is offline when you remove it, it will be signed out the next time it connects to the internet. Any apps on that device that use your Google Account — Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube — will no longer work until someone signs in with a different Google Account or creates a new one.
The device itself still works. It can still connect to Wi-Fi and use other apps. Only Google services are locked out. If you removed the device by mistake and want to use it again, you can sign back in using your password. If you have two-step verification turned on, you will need to enter a verification code as well.
If you cannot find the device you want to remove
Devices only appear in the list if they have connected to Google in the past few months. If you are looking for a device you have not used in over a year, it may have already been removed automatically. Check the device name carefully — Google sometimes names devices after the phone model rather than a custom name you gave it, so an old Samsung might show as "SM-G950F" instead of "My Old Phone".
If you recently factory reset a device, it will disappear from the list within 24 hours. If you are trying to remove a device that is currently powered off or has no internet connection, remove it from your account anyway — it will be signed out the next time it connects.
If you sold or gave away a device and the new owner has already signed in with their own Google Account, you will not see it in your device list anymore. Your account is no longer on that device.
Removing all devices at once
You cannot remove all devices in one action. You must remove them one at a time through the Your devices section. However, if you suspect your account has been hacked and you want to sign out everywhere when ready, you can change your password. This signs out every device except the one you are currently using.
Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to Password, and click Change password. Enter your current password, then enter a new one twice. Every other device will be signed out within minutes. This is faster and more thorough than removing devices one by one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a device if I do not have access to it?
Yes. You do not need the device itself to remove it from your account. Go to myaccount.google.com on any computer or phone, find the device in the Your devices list, and remove it. The device will be signed out even if it is lost, stolen, or powered off.
Will removing a device erase the data on it?
No. Removing a device only signs it out of your Google Account. All photos, messages, apps, and files on the device stay there. If you want to erase the device, you must factory reset it separately. Factory reset is a different action you do on the device itself, usually in Settings.
What if someone else removed my device from my account?
If you have a recovery email or phone number on your account, Google will send you a notification when a device is removed. If you did not remove it and do not recognize the action, change your password when ready. This signs out whoever has access and locks them out of your account.
Can I see which device was removed and when?
Google does not keep a log of removed devices. Once a device is removed, it no longer appears in your device list. However, if you check your account activity at myaccount.google.com under Security and Your activity, you may see sign-in attempts from unfamiliar locations or devices, which can help you understand what happened.
Do I need to remove a device before factory resetting it?
No. A factory reset automatically signs you out of your Google Account and erases all data. After a factory reset, the device will no longer appear in your Your devices list within a day or two. You only need to manually remove a device if you are not factory resetting it.