The fastest way to sign out of Gmail
To sign out of Gmail, click your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Sign out" from the menu that appears. This works on any computer or phone where you are logged in. The process takes about three seconds and immediately ends your session.
If you do not see a profile picture — for example, if you are using a shared computer and the account has no photo set — look for your email address or initials in the top right corner instead. Click that, and the same menu will appear.
Key Takeaways
- Click your profile picture or email address in the top right corner of Gmail and select "Sign out" to end your session immediately.
- On a phone or tablet, the profile picture is in the same location but the menu may look slightly different depending on whether you use the Gmail app or the web version.
- If you share a computer with others, signing out prevents the next person from reading your emails without logging in again.
- Signing out on one device does not sign you out on other devices — you must repeat the process on each phone, tablet, or computer where you use Gmail.
Signing out on a computer or laptop
Open Gmail in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the page. You will see a small circle containing either your profile photo or your initials. Click that circle once.
A dropdown menu will appear with several options. The bottom option says "Sign out." Click it. Gmail will close your session, and the next time someone opens Gmail on that computer, they will see the login screen instead of your inbox.
If you are using a shared computer and want to make sure no one can access your account by accident, this is the step that matters. Do not just close the browser tab — that leaves you logged in. Always click "Sign out" before walking away.
Signing out on an iPhone or Android phone
The process is nearly identical on a phone, but the location of the button depends on whether you are using the Gmail app or the Gmail website in your phone's browser.
In the Gmail app: Tap your profile picture at the top left of the screen (not the top right like on a computer). A menu will slide out from the left side. Scroll down to the bottom and tap "Sign out." You will return to the login screen.
In a web browser: Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, just as you would on a computer. The menu will appear, and you can tap "Sign out." On a small phone screen, you may need to scroll down in the menu to see the sign-out option.
Signing out on a tablet
Tablets work the same way as phones, but you have a choice: you can use the Gmail app or open Gmail in your browser. Both methods use the profile picture menu in the top corner.
If you are not sure which one you are using, look at the address bar. If you see "gmail.com" in the address bar, you are in a web browser. If there is no address bar visible, you are using the app. Either way, the sign-out button is in the same place — your profile picture menu.
What happens after you sign out
Once you click "Sign out," Gmail closes your session immediately. Your emails remain on Google's servers and are not deleted. The next time you or anyone else opens Gmail on that device, they will see a login screen asking for an email address and password.
Signing out on one device does not sign you out on other devices. If you are logged into Gmail on your phone, your laptop, and your tablet, you must sign out on each one separately. This is useful if you want to keep using Gmail on your phone while signing out on a shared family computer.
Signing out of all sessions at once
If you want to sign out of Gmail on every device at the same time — for example, if you think someone else has accessed your account — you can do this from your account settings.
Open Gmail on any device and click your profile picture. Select "Manage your Google Account," then click the "Security" tab. Scroll down until you see "Your devices" or "Manage all your devices." Click "Sign out of all other sessions" or a similar option. This will end your Gmail session on every phone, tablet, and computer except the one you are currently using.
After you do this, you will need to log back in on any device where you want to use Gmail again. This is a stronger step than a regular sign-out and is mainly useful if you are concerned about unauthorized access.
Troubleshooting: The sign-out button is not appearing
If you cannot find your profile picture in the top corner, try refreshing the page. Sometimes Gmail does not load completely, and the profile menu does not appear until you reload.
If refreshing does not work, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log back in. This solves most problems where Gmail buttons or menus are not responding. On a phone, you can also try closing the Gmail app completely and opening it again.
If you are still stuck and cannot sign out normally, you can always sign out by closing your browser entirely and clearing your browsing data. This is a less elegant solution but will end your session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out delete my emails?
No. Signing out only ends your session on that device. All your emails stay on Google's servers. When you log back in with your password, everything will be there exactly as you left it.
If I sign out on my phone, will I be signed out on my computer too?
No. Each device is separate. You must sign out on each phone, tablet, and computer where you use Gmail. Signing out in one place does not affect your other devices.
What if I forgot to sign out on a public computer?
You can sign out remotely by going to your Google Account security settings on any other device and selecting "Sign out of all other sessions." This will end your Gmail session on the public computer without needing to be there in person.
Can I sign out without knowing my password?
Yes. You do not need your password to sign out. Just click your profile picture and select "Sign out." Your password is only needed when you log back in.
Will signing out stop someone from reading my emails if they have my password?
Signing out stops someone from reading your emails on that specific device. But if they know your password, they can log back in immediately. If you think someone has your password, change it in your Google Account settings right away.