Creating a second Gmail account takes about five minutes and requires only a web browser or the Gmail app
You can create a new Gmail account without closing your first one. Google lets you switch between multiple accounts on the same device, so you might keep one for work and one for personal use, or separate accounts for different projects. The process is the same whether you use a computer, phone, or tablet.
The fastest way is to start from Gmail itself rather than Google's main sign-up page. If you are already signed in to your first account, Gmail will let you create a second one in just a few clicks. If you are not signed in yet, you can create an account from scratch in about the same time.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a second Gmail account while staying signed in to your first one — you do not need to sign out.
- On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail and select "Add another account" to start the process.
- On a phone or tablet, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, and choose "Add another account" from the menu.
- You will need to provide a new email address (or create one with Gmail's domain), a password, your name, and a recovery phone number or backup email.
- After you create the account, you can switch between your accounts by tapping or clicking your profile picture and selecting which one to use.
Creating a second account from Gmail on a computer
Open Gmail in your web browser and sign in to your first account if you are not already signed in. Look for your profile picture or initial in a circle in the top right corner of the screen. Click it.
A small menu will appear. Select "Add another account" from the list. This takes you to Google's account creation page, but it is linked to your current device, so you will be able to switch between accounts later without signing out of the first one.
You will see a form asking for your name, desired email address, password, and birthday. For the email address, you can either create a new Gmail address (something@gmail.com) or use an existing email address you already own. If you choose to use an existing address, Google will send a confirmation link to that address, and you will need to click it to finish setting up the account.
Fill in each field, then click "Next step." Google will ask for a phone number or backup email address. This is how you can recover your account if you forget your password later. You can skip this step, but it is worth doing — it takes 30 seconds and prevents a lot of trouble. After you complete this section, your second account is ready to use.
Creating a second account from the Gmail app on a phone or tablet
Open the Gmail app and look for your profile picture or initial in the top left corner (on Android) or top right corner (on iPhone or iPad). Tap it.
A menu will slide out or pop up. Select "Add another account." The app will ask you whether you want to use an existing email address or create a new Gmail address. Choose whichever applies to you.
If you are creating a new Gmail address, you will enter your name, desired email, password, and birthday. If you are using an existing address, enter that address instead, and Google will send a confirmation link to it. Complete the recovery information (phone number or backup email), and your account is set up. The app will automatically add it to your list of accounts.
Switching between your two accounts
Once you have created your second account, you can switch between them without signing out. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail. You will see both of your email addresses listed. Click the one you want to use, and Gmail will switch to that account when ready.
On a phone or tablet, tap your profile picture in the Gmail app. You will see a list of all your accounts. Tap the one you want to switch to. The app will load that account's inbox.
You can also add both accounts to other apps on your device — like your phone's mail app, your calendar app, or your contacts app — by going into each app's settings and selecting "Add account." Each app will ask you to sign in with one of your Gmail addresses.
What to do if you forget your password for the second account
If you forget the password to your second account, go to the Google sign-in page and click "Forgot password?" Enter the email address for the account you are trying to access. Google will send a recovery link to the phone number or backup email you provided when you created the account.
If you did not set up a recovery phone or email when you created the account, you may not be able to recover it. This is why adding that information during setup is worth the 30 seconds it takes.
Removing a second account from your device
If you no longer want to use your second account on a particular device, you can remove it without deleting the account itself. On a computer, click your profile picture in Gmail, then click "Manage your Google Account." Go to the "Security" tab on the left, scroll down to "Your devices," and select the device you want to remove the account from. Click "Sign out" next to that device.
On a phone or tablet, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, and select the account you want to remove. Tap "Manage your Google Account," then go to "Security." Scroll to "Your devices" and select the device you are currently using. Tap "Sign out" to remove that account from the app. The account itself still exists — you can sign back in anytime.
Using Gmail's web interface to manage multiple accounts
Gmail's web version makes it straightforward to check both accounts from one browser window. After you have created your second account and signed in to it at least once, you can use the profile picture menu to jump between them. Some people prefer to open Gmail in two separate browser tabs, one for each account, so they can see both inboxes at the same time.
If you use Gmail's web interface on a computer, you can also set up forwarding or filters on one account to automatically send certain emails to the other. This is useful if you want to consolidate mail from both addresses into one inbox. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), click "Forwarding and POP/IMAP," and choose "Add a forwarding address."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to delete my first Gmail account to create a second one?
No. You can have as many Gmail accounts as you want on the same device. Google lets you add up to five accounts per device, and you can switch between them when ready without signing out of any of them.
Can I use a phone number for both accounts?
You can use the same phone number as a recovery method for multiple accounts, but Google will ask you to verify it each time. It is usually simpler to use different recovery methods for each account — for example, a phone number for one and a backup email for the other.
What happens to my first account when I create a second one?
Nothing. Your first account stays exactly as it is. All your emails, contacts, and settings remain unchanged. Creating a second account does not affect the first one in any way.
Can I create a second Gmail account on my phone if I do not have a computer?
Yes. You can create a second account entirely from the Gmail app on your phone or tablet. The process is the same as on a computer — tap your profile picture, select "Add another account," and fill in the required information.
What if I want to use my existing email address as the second account?
You can link an existing email address to Google by creating a Gmail account and selecting "Use my current email address instead" during setup. Google will send a confirmation link to that address. Click the link to verify it, and that email address becomes your Gmail account.