Adding a second Gmail account takes three minutes and requires only your Google password

You can add another Gmail account to the same browser or device without signing out of your current one. Gmail lets you switch between accounts when ready, see notifications from all of them, and forward mail from one to another. The process is the same whether you are adding a work account, a personal account, or an account for someone else in your household.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using Gmail on the web, on an iPhone, or on an Android phone. All three routes are straightforward and take less than five minutes from start to finish.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add up to five Google accounts to the same device or browser without signing out of your current account.
  • On the web, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select "Add another account", and sign in with the email and password of the account you want to add.
  • On iPhone or Android, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, select "Add another account", choose Gmail, and sign in.
  • Once added, you can switch between accounts by tapping or clicking your profile picture and selecting the account you want to use.
  • If you forget the password to the account you want to add, you will need to reset it through the Google account recovery page before you can add it.

Adding an account on Gmail's website

Open Gmail in your web browser and look for your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. Click on it. A small menu will appear with your current email address and a few options below it.

Select "Add another account" from this menu. A new window or tab will open asking you to sign in. Type the email address of the account you want to add, then click "Next". On the next screen, type the password for that account and click "Next" again. Gmail may ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to a recovery email or phone number — if so, follow the on-screen instructions.

Once you have signed in successfully, you will see a confirmation screen. Click "Continue" or "Done" depending on what your browser shows. You are now signed into both accounts at the same time.

Adding an account on iPhone

Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will appear. Select "Add another account".

On the next screen, choose "Google" as your account type. You will be taken to a Google sign-in page. Enter the email address of the account you want to add and tap "Next". Then enter the password and tap "Next" again. If Google asks you to verify your identity, follow the prompts to complete the verification.

Once you have signed in, you may see a screen asking for permission to access your account. Tap "Allow" or "Continue". The account is now added to your Gmail app.

Adding an account on Android

Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Add another account" from the menu that appears.

Choose "Google" as your account type. You will see a Google sign-in screen. Enter the email address of the account you want to add and tap "Next". Enter the password and tap "Next" again. Complete any identity verification if Google asks for it.

After you sign in, you may be asked to grant Gmail permission to access your account. Tap "Allow" or "Continue". The account is now added to your Gmail app on Android.

Switching between your accounts

Once you have added a second account, switching between them is straightforward. On the web, click your profile picture in the top right corner. You will see both email addresses listed. Click the one you want to use, and Gmail will switch to that account when ready.

On iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the Gmail app. You will see all your added accounts listed. Tap the one you want to switch to. The app will load that account's inbox right away.

You can add up to five Google accounts to the same device or browser. Each account keeps its own inbox, contacts, and settings separate from the others.

What to do if you forget a password

If you want to add an account but do not remember its password, you will need to reset it before you can sign in. Go to the Google account recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter the email address of the account you want to recover access to.

Google will ask you to verify your identity. You can do this by entering a code sent to a recovery email address or phone number associated with that account. Once you have verified your identity, you can set a new password. After that, you can return to Gmail and add the account using the new password.

Removing an account you no longer need

If you add an account by mistake or no longer want it on your device, you can remove it without deleting the account itself. On the web, click your profile picture, then click "Manage your Google Account". Go to the "Security" tab on the left side. Scroll down to "Your devices" and click "Manage all devices". Find the device you want to remove the account from and click it. Under "Your devices", find the account you want to remove and click "Remove".

On iPhone or Android, open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture. Long-press the account you want to remove until a menu appears. Select "Remove account". The account will be removed from your device, but the account itself will still exist and you can add it again later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more than two accounts to Gmail?

Yes. Gmail lets you add up to five Google accounts to the same device or browser. You can switch between them by clicking or tapping your profile picture and selecting the account you want to use.

Will adding a new account sign me out of my current one?

No. Adding a new account keeps you signed into your current account. Both accounts remain active at the same time, and you can switch between them when ready.

What if Gmail asks me to verify my identity when I try to add an account?

Google may ask you to prove you own the account by entering a code sent to a recovery email or phone number. Check your email or text messages for the code, enter it on the screen, and continue. This is a security step to prevent unauthorized access.

Can I add someone else's Gmail account to my device?

Yes, as long as you have their email address and password. However, once you add their account, you will have full access to their inbox, contacts, and settings. Only add accounts you trust, and only if the account owner has given you permission.

Do I need a different password for each account?

Each Gmail account has its own password. When you add a second account, you will need to sign in with that account's password. You cannot use the same password for multiple accounts unless you set them that way yourself.