The fastest way to sign out
To log out of your Google Account, click your profile picture in the top right corner of any Google page — Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, or Google Search. A menu will drop down. Click Sign out at the bottom of that menu. You are signed out when ready.
On a phone or tablet, the same picture appears in the same spot. Tap it, then tap Sign out. The process is identical whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet.
If you cannot find your profile picture, you may already be signed out. Try going to Gmail or YouTube — if you see a Sign in button instead of your picture, you are no longer logged in.
Key Takeaways
- Click or tap your profile picture in the top right corner of any Google page, then select Sign out from the menu that appears.
- Signing out on one device does not sign you out on other devices — you must repeat the process on each phone, tablet, or computer you use.
- If you share a computer with someone else, always sign out after you finish, especially if you do not want them to see your email or files.
- You can see all the devices and browsers where you are currently signed in by visiting your Google Account security page and checking "Your devices".
- Signing out is different from deleting your account — signing out just ends your session, and you can sign back in anytime with your password.
Why you should sign out on shared computers
If you use a computer, phone, or tablet that other people also use, signing out protects your privacy. When you stay signed in, anyone who picks up that device can read your Gmail, access your Google Drive files, watch your YouTube history, and see your location in Google Maps.
Signing out is especially important in libraries, schools, internet cafes, or at a friend's house. Even at home, if you share a computer with family members, signing out prevents accidental access to your personal information.
A quick sign-out takes five seconds and is the easiest way to keep your account find on a device you do not control.
Signing out on multiple devices
If you own several devices — a laptop, a phone, and a tablet — signing out on one device does not sign you out on the others. You must sign out separately on each one. This is by design: Google assumes you want to stay signed in on your own devices for convenience, but you may want to sign out on a borrowed device.
To see everywhere you are currently signed in, go to myaccount.google.com on any browser. Click Security in the left menu, then scroll down to Your devices. You will see a list of every phone, tablet, and computer where you are logged in, along with the browser or app name and the last time you used it.
From that same page, you can click on any device and choose Sign out to end your session on that device without touching it. This is useful if you borrowed someone's computer and forgot to sign out, or if you lost a phone and want to sign out remotely.
What happens when you sign out
When you sign out, Google ends your session on that device. Your emails, files, and photos remain safely stored in your Google Account — nothing is deleted. The next time you want to use Gmail or Google Drive on that device, you will need to sign in again with your email address and password.
Signing out does not change your password, turn off two-factor authentication, or affect any of your account settings. It straightforward disconnects that device from your account until you sign back in.
If you cannot find the sign-out button
In some older versions of Google apps or on certain phones, the profile picture menu may look slightly different. If you do not see a profile picture in the top right, look for a menu icon — three horizontal lines or three dots — and tap it. The sign-out option is usually in that menu.
On some Android phones, you may need to open the Google app itself (the colorful "G" icon) rather than going through Gmail or YouTube. Tap your profile picture there and you will see the same sign-out option.
If you are still stuck, try signing out through your account settings instead. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to Your devices, find the device you are using, and click Sign out. This method works on any browser.
Signing out versus deleting your account
Signing out and deleting your account are completely different actions. Signing out straightforward ends your session — you can sign back in anytime. Deleting your account permanently removes your Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube history, and all other Google services tied to that email address. Deletion usually takes about two weeks to complete.
If you only want to stop using Google on a particular device, sign out. If you want to stop using Google entirely and are willing to lose access to your email and files, you would delete the account instead. Most people never need to delete an account — signing out is what you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out delete my emails or files?
No. Signing out only ends your session on that device. All your emails, Google Drive files, photos, and other data remain in your account and are not affected. When you sign back in, everything will be there.
If I sign out on my phone, will I be signed out on my computer too?
No. Each device is independent. You must sign out separately on your phone, your computer, your tablet, and any other device where you are logged in. Signing out on one does not affect the others.
What if I forgot to sign out at a library or friend's house?
Go to myaccount.google.com on any device, click Security, find that device under Your devices, and click Sign out. You can sign out remotely without touching the device you forgot on. You can also change your password to end all sessions everywhere, though that will require you to sign back in on all your own devices.
Can someone else sign in to my account if I do not sign out?
If they have physical access to the device and you are still signed in, yes — they can read your email and access your files without knowing your password. This is why signing out on shared or borrowed devices is important. On your own devices that only you use, staying signed in is convenient and safe.
Will I lose my saved passwords if I sign out?
No. Your saved passwords in Google Chrome or your phone's password manager remain saved. When you sign back in, you can use those saved passwords to access other websites. Signing out of your Google Account does not erase them.