The fastest way to access Gmail
Go to gmail.com in your web browser. Enter the email address or phone number linked to your account, then click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If you have two-step verification turned on, you will be asked to confirm your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.
If you do not remember your password, click Forgot password? on the login screen. Google will ask you to verify your identity — usually by entering a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier — then send you a link to create a new password.
Once you are signed in, your inbox appears with all your messages. You stay signed in until you manually sign out, so you can close the browser and return to Gmail later without logging in again.
Key Takeaways
- Visit gmail.com and enter your email address or phone number, then your password to sign in.
- If you forget your password, use the recovery email or phone number you added to your account to reset it.
- Two-step verification adds a security step that asks you to confirm your identity with a code each time you sign in from a new device.
- You can sign into Gmail on your phone using the Gmail app or your phone's web browser the same way you do on a computer.
- If you cannot sign in after trying password recovery, check whether your account was hacked or locked by Google for security reasons.
Signing in on your phone or tablet
On an iPhone or Android phone, you can sign into Gmail two ways. The easiest is to download the Gmail app from the App Store or Google Play, open it, and tap Sign in. Enter your email address, tap Next, then enter your password and tap Next again. Complete any security verification if prompted.
You can also open any web browser on your phone, go to gmail.com, and sign in the same way you would on a computer. The mobile version of the website works on any phone and does not require downloading an app.
On both iPhone and Android, Gmail stays signed in after you close the app or browser, so you do not have to log in every time you check your email.
What to do if you cannot sign in
If you see an error message when you try to sign in, the most common causes are a typo in your password, an outdated browser, or cookies that need to be cleared. Try entering your password again, making sure Caps Lock is off. If that does not work, clear your browser's cookies and cache, then try again.
If you still cannot sign in, your account may have been locked by Google for security reasons. This happens if Google detects unusual activity, like someone trying to sign in from an unfamiliar location. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the steps to verify your identity and regain access.
If you see a message saying your account has been disabled, Google has suspended it — usually because of suspicious activity or a violation of their terms of service. You can request a review at the same recovery page, but there is no may provide your account will be restored.
Setting up two-step verification for security
Two-step verification adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a code in addition to your password when you sign in. To turn it on, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security in the left menu, scroll down to How you sign in to Google, and click 2-Step Verification. Follow the prompts to choose whether you want codes sent by text message, generated by an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy, or both.
Once two-step verification is on, every time you sign in from a new device, Google will ask for a code after you enter your password. You can save the device so you do not have to enter a code the next time you sign in from that same computer or phone.
If you lose access to your phone or authenticator app, you can use backup codes that Google provides during setup. Save these codes somewhere safe, like a password manager or a piece of paper in a drawer.
Staying signed in across devices
When you sign into Gmail on your computer, phone, and tablet with the same account, all your messages and folders appear on every device. Changes you make on one device — like deleting an email or creating a label — show up on the others automatically.
If you want to sign out on a specific device without signing out everywhere, open Gmail, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and click Sign out. That device will be signed out, but you will stay signed in on your other devices.
To sign out on all devices at once, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to Your devices, and click Manage all devices. Find the device you want to sign out and click it, then click Sign out.
Recovering a hacked or forgotten account
If you think someone else has access to your account, change your password immediately. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, find Password, and click Change password. Create a strong password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
After changing your password, check which devices are signed into your account. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to Your devices, and review the list. If you see a device you do not recognize, click it and sign out.
If you have not used your Gmail account in a long time, Google may disable it for inactivity. You can reactivate it by signing in again. If you cannot sign in and cannot recover your account through the standard recovery process, you can request a manual review at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery.
Using Gmail with other email clients
You can read and send Gmail messages from other email programs like Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird by setting up IMAP or POP access. This lets you manage your Gmail account without visiting gmail.com.
To set this up, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll down, and turn on Less secure app access. Then open your email client, add your Gmail account, and enter your Gmail password. The email client will handle the rest.
Most people do not need to do this — the Gmail website and app work on any device — but it is useful if you prefer a single email program for multiple accounts or if you need offline access to your messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I forgot both my password and my recovery email?
Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your email address. Google will ask you to verify your identity using other information, like the date you created your account or a phone number you added to it. If you cannot verify your identity this way, you can request a manual review, though there is no may provide Google will restore your access.
Can I sign into the same Gmail account on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. You can be signed into Gmail on your computer, phone, and tablet all at once. All your messages and folders sync across devices automatically. To sign out on one device without affecting the others, click your profile picture and select Sign out.
Is it safe to save my password in my browser?
Saving your password in your browser is convenient but less secure, especially on a shared computer. If you live alone and use a password manager, that is safer. On a shared device, do not save your password — sign in manually each time or use a separate user account on the computer.
Why does Gmail ask me to verify my identity even though I entered the correct password?
Google is detecting that you are signing in from a new location, device, or browser. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized access. Complete the verification by entering a code sent to your phone or recovery email, and Google will remember the device so you do not have to verify again next time.
Can I have multiple Gmail accounts and switch between them easily?
Yes. Sign into your first account, then click your profile picture in the top right and select Add another account. Sign into your second account. You can now click your profile picture and switch between accounts without signing out and back in each time.