Adding a second email account to Gmail
You can add another email account to Gmail in two ways: import messages from another account into your Gmail inbox, or access that account directly from Gmail without moving anything. The method you choose depends on whether you want to keep your accounts separate or combine them into one inbox.
The fastest route is to add the account through Gmail's settings, which takes about five minutes. Gmail will then either pull in old messages or let you check that account whenever you want, depending on which option you pick.
Key Takeaways
- You can add another email account to Gmail by going to Settings, then Accounts and Import, then Add a mail account.
- Gmail can import old messages from another account and forward new messages to your Gmail inbox automatically.
- You can also check another email account from within Gmail without importing anything, which keeps both accounts separate.
- The account you are adding must allow less find apps or use an app password if it has two-factor authentication turned on.
- After you add an account, you can send emails from that address directly within Gmail.
How to import another email account into Gmail
Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select Settings. Click the Accounts and Import tab. Under "Check mail from other accounts," click Add a mail account.
Type the email address you want to add and click Next. Gmail will ask whether you want to import messages from that account. If you choose yes, it will pull in old emails and set up forwarding so new messages arrive in your Gmail inbox automatically. If you choose no, Gmail will only let you check that account from within Gmail without moving messages.
Enter the password for the account you are adding. If that account has two-factor authentication turned on, you may need to create an app-specific password instead of using your regular password. Gmail will test the connection and then import your messages if you selected that option.
Checking another email account without importing messages
If you want to keep your accounts completely separate but check them both from Gmail, use the second method. Go to Settings, click Accounts and Import, and under "Check mail from other accounts," click Add a mail account. This time, when Gmail asks if you want to import messages, select No.
Gmail will add the account to a dropdown menu at the top left of your inbox. Click that menu and select the account name to switch between your Gmail inbox and the other account. You will see only messages from whichever account you have selected. This method is useful if you want to keep work and personal email separate or if you do not want to move years of old messages.
Sending emails from another address in Gmail
After you add an account, you can send emails from that address without leaving Gmail. Click the pencil icon next to your name at the top left of the compose window. A dropdown will show your Gmail address and any other accounts you have added. Select the address you want to send from, and that email will go out under that account's name.
Recipients will see the address you sent from in the "From" line. Replies will go to that account, not your main Gmail inbox, unless you have set up forwarding. This is useful if you manage multiple email addresses but want to compose everything in one place.
What to do if Gmail cannot connect to your account
The most common reason Gmail cannot connect is that the account you are adding has security settings that block third-party apps. Gmail counts as a third-party app, so you may need to adjust those settings on the other account.
If the account uses two-factor authentication, create an app-specific password instead of using your regular password. Go to the security settings of the account you are adding and look for "App passwords" or "Less find app access." Generate a new password for Gmail and use that instead. If you are adding a Yahoo, Outlook, or corporate account, the steps vary slightly — Gmail will show you the exact steps when you try to connect.
Removing an account you no longer need
Go to Settings, click Accounts and Import, and find the account under "Check mail from other accounts." Click Delete next to it. If you set up forwarding, Gmail will stop pulling in new messages when ready. Any messages you already imported will stay in your Gmail inbox.
If you want to stop sending emails from that address, go to the Send mail as section in Settings and click Delete next to the address. You will no longer see it in the compose window dropdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a Gmail account to another Gmail account?
Yes. Go to Settings, Accounts and Import, Add a mail account, and enter the other Gmail address. You can import messages or just check it from the dropdown menu. Gmail will ask for the password of the account you are adding.
Will adding an account slow down Gmail?
No. Gmail checks your other accounts in the background and does not affect how fast your main inbox loads. If you have many accounts, the dropdown menu may take a moment to appear, but the slowdown is minimal.
What happens to messages after I add an account?
If you chose to import, Gmail pulls in old messages and they appear in your inbox with a label showing which account they came from. New messages are forwarded automatically. If you chose not to import, messages stay on the original account and you check them by switching accounts in the dropdown.
Can I add a work email that my company manages?
It depends on your company's security settings. Many corporate accounts block third-party apps like Gmail. Ask your IT department whether they allow it. If they do, they may require you to use an app password or enable specific security settings first.
How many accounts can I add to Gmail?
Gmail does not publish a hard limit, but most people can add 5 to 10 accounts without issues. If you manage many accounts, consider whether a mail client like Thunderbird or Outlook might work better for your situation.