The fastest way to log out

To log out of Gmail, click your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Sign out" from the menu that appears. That's it — you're logged out and your account is no longer accessible from that device until you sign back in.

If you don't see a profile picture, look for your email address or initials in the top right corner instead. The menu works the same way.

On a phone or tablet, tap the same profile picture or initials, scroll down to find "Sign out", and tap it. The process is identical across Android and iPhone.

Key Takeaways

  • Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign out" to log out when ready from any device.
  • Logging out removes your account access from that specific device but does not delete your account or emails.
  • If you share a device with others, logging out prevents them from reading your emails when they use that computer or phone.
  • You can log out of Gmail on one device while staying logged in on others — logging out in one place does not affect your other devices.

Why you might want to log out

The main reason to log out is security. If you use Gmail on a shared computer — at a library, an internet café, a school, or a family member's device — logging out ensures the next person who uses that computer cannot read your emails or send messages from your account.

Logging out also clears your account from the browser's memory on that device. If someone gains access to the computer later, they cannot straightforward click your name and jump back into your account.

You might also log out if you're switching to a different Gmail account on the same device, or if you're selling or giving away a computer and want to remove your account completely.

What happens when you log out

When you log out, Gmail removes your account from that specific device or browser. Your emails stay safely stored on Google's servers — logging out does not delete anything. The next time someone (including you) wants to access that Gmail account on that device, they will need to enter your email address and password.

If you use Gmail on multiple devices — your phone, your laptop, and a tablet — logging out on one device does not affect the others. You stay logged in on your phone and tablet even after logging out on your laptop.

Logging out vs. signing in to a different account

If you have more than one Gmail account, you can switch between them without logging out. Click your profile picture, then select "Add another account" to sign into a second Gmail account on the same device. Both accounts stay active, and you can switch between them by clicking your profile picture again.

This is different from logging out. When you add another account, you're still logged into the first one — you're just also logged into the second. If you want to remove the first account from that device completely, you need to log out of it separately.

How to log out on a shared computer

On a shared device, logging out is the essential step before you walk away. Click your profile picture, select "Sign out", and wait for the page to load and show the Gmail sign-in screen. Do not just close the browser — that leaves your account logged in.

If you want to be extra careful on a shared computer, you can also clear your browser's cache and cookies after logging out. This removes any stored information about your account. Most browsers have this option under Settings or Preferences, usually labeled "Clear browsing data" or "Clear history".

If you can't find the sign-out button

If you're using Gmail through a different app or service — like your phone's built-in email app, Outlook, or another email client — the sign-out process is different. Look in that app's settings or account menu instead of Gmail itself. The location varies depending on which app you're using.

If you're using Gmail in a web browser but the profile picture doesn't appear, try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, you may be using an older or unusual browser version. Try opening Gmail in a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does logging out delete my emails?

No. Logging out only removes your account from that device. All your emails remain stored on Google's servers and will be there when you sign back in with your password.

Can I log out of Gmail on my phone?

Yes. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, scroll down, and tap "Sign out". The process is the same on Android and iPhone.

What if I log out and forget my password?

You can still sign back in. On the Gmail sign-in screen, enter your email address and click "Next". When prompted for your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow Google's steps to reset it using your recovery email or phone number.

Will logging out on my computer log me out on my phone too?

No. Each device is separate. Logging out on your computer does not affect your phone, tablet, or any other device. You stay logged in on those devices until you log out on them individually.

Is there a way to log out of all devices at once?

Yes, but it requires going into your Google Account settings, not Gmail itself. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, scroll to "Your devices", and select "Manage all devices". From there you can sign out of Gmail on all devices at once, though this is more drastic than logging out in one place.