The fastest way to sign out of Gmail
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. On a phone or tablet, tap the same profile picture icon and choose "Sign out". The process takes about three seconds and works the same way whether you are using Gmail on a computer, iPhone, Android phone, or tablet.
After you sign out, anyone using that device will need your email address and password to access your account. If you are using a shared computer — at a library, school, or someone else's home — signing out is the safest way to prevent someone else from reading your emails or changing your settings.
If you cannot find your profile picture, you may already be signed out. Gmail shows a blue "Sign in" button instead when no account is active on that browser or app.
Key Takeaways
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign out" to leave your Gmail account on any device.
- Signing out on a shared computer prevents other users from accessing your emails or account settings.
- You can sign out of Gmail without signing out of other Google services like YouTube or Google Drive if you use the Gmail-specific sign-out option.
- If you forget to sign out on a public device, you can remotely sign out all sessions from any other device using your account settings.
Signing out on a computer or laptop
Open Gmail in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see a small circle with your initial, a photo, or a generic icon — this is your profile picture. Click it once.
A dropdown menu will appear with several options. The bottom option says "Sign out". Click that word. Gmail will close your session when ready, and the next time someone visits Gmail on that browser, they will see the sign-in screen instead of your inbox.
If you are using Gmail through Outlook, Apple Mail, or another email program on your computer, the sign-out process is different. Those programs store your password separately, so you would need to remove your Gmail account from that program's settings instead. Check the program's help menu for "remove account" or "delete account" instructions.
Signing out on a phone or tablet
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. On some older Android phones, the profile picture may appear as a circle with your initial inside it. Tap it once.
A menu will slide up or appear on screen with your email address and several options. Look for "Sign out" or "Sign out of all accounts" and tap it. The app will return to the sign-in screen.
If you use Gmail through the default Mail app on an iPhone or iPad instead of the Gmail app, you will need to go to Settings, scroll down to "Mail", tap "Accounts", find your Gmail account, and select "Delete Account". This removes Gmail from that device but does not delete your actual Gmail account.
The difference between signing out and signing in elsewhere
When you sign out, you end your session on that one device. Your account still exists, and you can sign back in anytime with your password. Signing out does not delete your emails, contacts, or any other data.
Gmail also lets you see all the devices and locations where you are currently signed in. Go to your Gmail account settings (click your profile picture, then "Manage your Google Account"), find the "Security" tab, scroll down to "Your devices", and select "Manage all devices". This page shows every phone, tablet, and computer where Gmail is open right now.
From that same page, you can sign out of Gmail on any device remotely without touching that device. This is useful if you forgot to sign out at a library or a friend's house. Click the device you want to sign out of and select "Sign out".
Signing out without affecting other Google services
Gmail is part of a larger Google account that also includes YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other services. When you sign out of Gmail using the method above, you stay signed in to those other services on the same device.
If you want to sign out of everything at once — Gmail, YouTube, Drive, and all other Google services — click your profile picture and select "Sign out of all accounts" instead of just "Sign out". This ends your session across all Google services on that device.
Most people should use the regular "Sign out" option, which only closes Gmail. Use "Sign out of all accounts" only if you are on a shared device and want to make sure no one can access any of your Google services.
What to do if you cannot find the sign-out button
If your profile picture does not appear in the top right corner, you may already be signed out. Refresh the page by pressing F5 on a computer or pulling down on your phone screen. If a blue "Sign in" button appears instead, you are already logged out.
On some older browsers or if Gmail is not loading properly, the profile picture may not show. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then reload Gmail. Instructions for clearing cache vary by browser — search "clear cache [your browser name]" for step-by-step help.
If you are using Gmail through a work or school account, your organization may have added extra security settings that change how sign-out works. Contact your IT department or help desk if the standard sign-out button does not appear.
Signing out when you have multiple accounts
If you have more than one Gmail account, you can sign in to multiple accounts on the same device at the same time. Your profile picture will show a small number indicating how many accounts are active. Click it to see a list of all signed-in accounts.
To sign out of just one account, click your profile picture, select the account you want to leave, and choose "Sign out". The other accounts stay signed in. To sign out of all accounts at once, click your profile picture and select "Sign out of all accounts".
If you want to switch between accounts without signing out, click your profile picture and select the other account from the list. You will see that account's inbox without having to enter a password again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out delete my emails or account data?
No. Signing out only ends your session on that device. All your emails, contacts, calendar events, and other data stay in your account. When you sign back in with your password, everything will be exactly as you left it.
Can I sign out of Gmail without signing out of YouTube?
Yes. Click your profile picture in Gmail and select "Sign out" (not "Sign out of all accounts"). This ends your Gmail session but keeps you signed in to YouTube and other Google services on that device.
What if I sign out on a public computer and then realize I left something important in my email?
You can sign back in from any other device and check your email. You can also use the "Manage all devices" page in your account settings to sign out of that public computer remotely, which ensures no one else can access your account there.
Will signing out on my phone sign me out on my computer too?
No. Each device has its own separate session. Signing out on your phone does not affect Gmail on your computer. You would need to sign out on the computer separately.
What should I do if I cannot remember my password after signing out?
Go to the Gmail sign-in page and click "Forgot password?". Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number. Follow the steps to reset your password, then sign back in.