The fastest way to access your Google Account

Go to accounts.google.com in your web browser and enter the email address or phone number connected to your account. On the next screen, type your password. If you have two-step verification turned on, Google will ask you to confirm your identity using your phone or a backup code before letting you in.

If you are already signed in on your device — like on your phone or computer — you may not need to do this at all. Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services stay signed in automatically once you have logged in once. You can check which account you are using by looking at your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of most Google pages.

If you cannot remember your password or do not have access to your phone, Google has a recovery process that takes a few minutes. The steps below cover the most common situations you will run into.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit accounts.google.com and enter your email address or phone number, then your password to sign in.
  • If you have two-step verification enabled, you will need to confirm your identity with your phone or a backup code after entering your password.
  • You can reset your password using a recovery email address or phone number if you forget it.
  • If you are locked out of your account, Google's recovery process asks security questions and checks your device history to confirm you own the account.

Signing in on different devices

On a phone or tablet, open the Gmail app, Google Drive app, or any other Google service. Tap the sign-in button and enter your email address. You will then type your password. If two-step verification is on, your phone will receive a notification asking you to confirm, or you can enter a code from an authenticator app.

On a computer, the process is the same: go to accounts.google.com, enter your email and password, and complete any verification steps. After you sign in, you stay signed in on that browser unless you manually sign out. If you share a computer with other people, sign out when you are done so they cannot access your account.

Some devices — like smart speakers, tablets, or streaming devices — have their own sign-in screens. These usually show a code on the screen and ask you to visit g.co/devicehelp on your phone or computer to complete the sign-in there. This method is safer because you do not type your password on the device itself.

What to do if you forgot your password

Go to accounts.google.com and click "Can't sign in?" below the password field. Google will ask for your email address or phone number. On the next screen, select "I don't know my password."

Google will send a code to the recovery email address or phone number you set up when you created your account. Check that email inbox or text messages for the code, then type it into the recovery page. You will then create a new password. Make sure it is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to keep your account secure.

If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, click "Try another way" and Google will ask you security questions you answered when you set up your account. Answer these correctly and Google will let you reset your password. If you cannot remember the answers, Google may ask you to verify your identity using your device history or other information about your account.

Turning on two-step verification for security

Two-step verification adds a second layer of protection to your account. Even if someone gets your password, they cannot sign in without access to your phone or a backup code. To turn it on, go to accounts.google.com, click "Security" in the left menu, and scroll down to "How you sign in to Google."

Click "2-Step Verification" and follow the steps. Google will ask you to confirm your phone number and will send you a code by text or through the Google Authenticator app. You can choose which method you prefer each time you sign in. Google also gives you backup codes to save in a safe place — if you lose your phone, you can use these codes to sign in instead.

After you turn on two-step verification, signing in takes a few extra seconds, but your account is much harder for someone else to break into. This is especially important if your Google account is connected to your email, photos, documents, or payment methods.

Staying signed in across Google services

When you sign in to your Google Account at accounts.google.com, you automatically stay signed in to Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube, Google Calendar, and other Google services. You do not need to sign in separately to each one. This is called single sign-on, and it works across all devices where you have signed in.

If you want to sign out of everything at once, go to accounts.google.com, click your profile picture in the top right, and select "Sign out of all accounts." This removes you from Gmail, Drive, and every other Google service on that device. The next time you visit a Google page, you will need to sign in again.

If you want to sign out of just one device but stay signed in on others, go to accounts.google.com, click "Security" in the left menu, scroll to "Your devices," and click "Manage all devices." Find the device you want to sign out of and click it, then select "Sign out."

Recovering a locked or hacked account

If you think someone else has signed into your account, go to accounts.google.com, click "Security," and look at "Your devices." You will see a list of devices and locations where your account has been signed in recently. If you see a device or location you do not recognize, click it and select "Sign out" to remove that sign-in.

If your account is completely locked and you cannot sign in at all, go to the Google Account recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter your email address and follow the steps. Google will ask you to verify your identity using your recovery email, phone number, or security questions. This process can take several minutes, but it is designed to make sure you are the real owner of the account.

If you still cannot get back in after trying recovery, you can contact Google Support through your account recovery page. Google will ask you questions about your account history and may take a few days to respond. Keep any recovery codes or backup emails you have saved — these speed up the process.

Managing multiple Google accounts on one device

You can sign in to more than one Google Account on the same phone, tablet, or computer. On a phone, open any Google app, tap your profile picture, and select "Add another account." Enter the email address and password for the second account. You can switch between accounts by tapping your profile picture again and selecting the account you want to use.

On a computer, go to accounts.google.com and click your profile picture in the top right. Select "Add another account" and sign in with a different email address. Your browser will remember both accounts. When you visit Gmail or another Google service, you can switch accounts by clicking your profile picture and selecting the one you want.

Each account stays separate. Your emails, files, and settings in one account do not appear in the other. If you want to remove an account from your device, click your profile picture, select the account you want to remove, and choose "Remove from this device." You will still be able to sign back in later if you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I cannot remember which email address I used for my Google Account?

Check your phone or computer for any emails from Google. Look for messages with the subject line "Welcome to Google" or "Confirm your Google Account." These emails come from noreply@google.com and will show the email address associated with your account. You can also check your browser's saved passwords — most browsers store the email addresses you have signed in with before.

Can I sign in to my Google Account without a password?

Yes, if you have a phone signed in to your Google Account, you can use a passkey instead of typing your password. Go to accounts.google.com, enter your email, and select "Use your phone to sign in" instead of entering a password. Your phone will ask you to confirm, and you will be signed in. This is faster and more secure than typing a password.

What happens if I sign in from a new device?

Google will send you a notification on your phone or recovery email asking if it was you. You can confirm it was you, or if it was not, you can block that sign-in. This is a security feature to catch unauthorized access. If you do not respond, Google may ask for extra verification the next time you try to sign in from that device.

How do I sign out of my Google Account on a shared computer?

Go to accounts.google.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Sign out." This removes your account from that browser. If you want to be extra careful on a shared computer, you can also go to "Security," find the device in "Your devices," and click "Sign out" to remove the sign-in from Google's records.

Can I change my Google Account email address?

You cannot change the email address itself, but you can add a recovery email address or phone number to your account. Go to accounts.google.com, click "Personal info," and add a recovery email or phone. If you need a completely different email address, you would need to create a new Google Account with that email and transfer your data manually.