Adding a second Gmail account takes about five minutes and works the same way across phones, tablets, and computers
You can add a second Gmail account without deleting your first one. Both accounts will stay active on your device, and you can switch between them whenever you need to. The steps are nearly identical whether you use an Android phone, iPhone, iPad, Windows computer, or Mac — the account settings menu is where you make the change.
The reason to add a second account is usually practical: you might have a work email and a personal email, or you might want to separate your shopping activity from your everyday mail. Once both are set up, you can check either inbox without signing out.
Key Takeaways
- You add a second Gmail account through your device's account settings, not through Gmail itself, so the exact menu location depends on what device you use.
- Your second account needs its own password, and you should have that password written down before you start adding the account.
- After you add the second account, you can switch between them in Gmail by tapping or clicking your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Adding a second account does not delete your first account or any of its emails — both remain completely separate.
- If you forget the password to your second account, you can reset it through the Gmail sign-in page before attempting to add it to your device.
Adding a second account on Android phones and tablets
Open the Settings app on your Android device. Scroll down and tap Accounts or Accounts and backup — the exact name varies by phone maker. You should see your current Gmail account listed here.
Tap Add account at the bottom of the screen. Select Google from the list of account types. Enter the email address of your second Gmail account and tap Next. When prompted, enter the password for that account and tap Next again.
You may see a screen asking about recovery options or two-factor authentication. If your second account uses two-factor authentication (a security code sent to your phone), you will need to enter that code to finish adding the account. Once you see a confirmation screen, the account has been added successfully.
Adding a second account on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app. Tap Mail, then tap Accounts. You should see your current Gmail account listed. Tap Add Account at the bottom.
Select Google from the list. You will be taken to a Google sign-in screen. Enter the email address of your second Gmail account and tap Next. Enter the password and tap Next again. If your account uses two-factor authentication, enter the security code when prompted.
On the next screen, you will see toggles for Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Notes. Leave these turned on unless you have a specific reason to turn them off. Tap Save in the top right corner. Your second account is now added.
Adding a second account on Windows computers
Open Gmail in your web browser and look at the top right corner. You should see a circle with your profile picture or initial inside it. Click that circle.
A menu will appear. Click Add another account. You will be taken to a Google sign-in page. Enter the email address of your second Gmail account and click Next. Enter the password and click Next again. Complete any additional security steps if prompted.
Once you are signed in, you can switch between your two accounts by clicking that same profile circle in the top right corner and selecting which account you want to use. Both inboxes remain open in separate browser tabs if you want to check both at once.
Adding a second account on Mac computers
Open Gmail in your web browser. Click the circle with your profile picture or initial in the top right corner. Click Add another account. Enter the email address of your second Gmail account and click Next. Enter the password and click Next again.
If you use the Gmail app instead of the web version, open the app and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Scroll down and click Settings. Click Add account and follow the same steps as above.
What to do if you do not remember the second account's password
Before you try to add the account to your device, reset the password on the Gmail sign-in page. Go to accounts.google.com in any web browser. Click Sign in. Enter the email address of your second account and click Next.
On the password screen, click Forgot password? Google will ask you to verify your identity, usually by sending a code to a recovery email address or phone number you set up with that account. Follow the prompts to create a new password. Once you have the new password, return to your device and add the account using the steps above.
Switching between your two accounts
After both accounts are added, switching between them is straightforward. In Gmail on any device, look for the circle with your profile picture or initial in the top right corner. Click or tap that circle, and a menu will appear showing both of your accounts. Select the one you want to use.
On phones and tablets, you can also swipe left or right across your inbox to jump between accounts. On computers, you can open both accounts in separate browser tabs and switch between them that way. Whichever method you use, your emails remain separate — opening one account does not affect the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding a second account delete my first account or its emails?
No. Both accounts remain completely separate and independent. All emails in your first account stay exactly where they are. You can add or remove the second account without affecting the first one at all.
Can I receive notifications from both accounts at the same time?
Yes. On phones and tablets, you can turn on notifications for both accounts in your Gmail settings. On computers, you will see notifications for whichever account you are currently viewing. You can open both in separate browser tabs to monitor both at once.
What if I see an error message when I try to add the second account?
The most common error is an incorrect password. Double-check that you are using the correct password for the second account, not the first one. If you are unsure, reset the password through the Gmail sign-in page before trying again. If you see a message about two-factor authentication, make sure you have access to the phone number or recovery email associated with that account.
Can I add more than two Gmail accounts to my device?
Yes. You can add as many Gmail accounts as you need using the same steps. Each one will appear in your account menu, and you can switch between them the same way you switch between two accounts.
Do I need to use the same password for both accounts?
No. Each Gmail account has its own separate password. You can use different passwords for each account, and you should — using different passwords makes your accounts more find.