The fastest way to access your Google account
Go to accounts.google.com in any web browser and enter the email address or phone number connected to your account. Google will then ask for your password. If you have two-step verification turned on, you'll need to confirm your identity using a second method — usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.
If you're signing in on a phone or tablet, you can also open Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, or any other Google app and tap "Sign in" to reach the same login screen. The process is identical across devices.
Most of the time, once you sign in once, your device remembers you and you won't need to enter your password again. If you're on a shared computer, always sign out when you're done — we'll cover that below.
Key Takeaways
- Visit accounts.google.com or open any Google app and tap "Sign in" to reach the login screen.
- Enter your full email address or the phone number tied to your account, then your password.
- If two-step verification is on, you'll need to confirm your identity a second way, usually through a code on your phone.
- On your own device, you only sign in once — Google remembers you after that.
- Always sign out on shared computers to keep your account secure.
What to do if you forgot your password
On the Google login screen, click "Forgot password?" below the password field. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you can't remember any password, click "Try another way" and Google will offer other methods to prove it's really you — usually a recovery email address or a phone number you set up earlier.
The recovery email is the fastest route. Google sends a link to that address, you click it, and you can set a new password right away. If you don't have access to the recovery email anymore, Google may ask you security questions you answered when you created the account, or ask you to verify your identity using a phone number on file.
This process can take a few minutes or longer depending on which recovery method works. Don't close the browser tab while you're working through it — you need to stay on the Google page to complete the reset.
Signing in on a phone or tablet
Open any Google app — Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube, or Google Maps all work. Tap the profile icon (usually a circle with your initial or photo in it) in the top corner, then tap "Sign in to your account" or "Add account." Enter your email address and password the same way you would on a computer.
On Android phones, you can also go to Settings, scroll down to "Google," and tap "Manage your Google Account." This takes you to your account settings without opening an app. On iPhones and iPads, you'll need to open a Google app first.
After you sign in on a phone or tablet, the device stays signed in unless you manually sign out. This means you won't have to enter your password every time you open Gmail or another Google app.
Turning on two-step verification for security
Two-step verification adds a second security layer: even if someone gets your password, they can't access your account without a code only you can receive. Go to accounts.google.com, sign in, 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 choose a phone number where it can send codes. You can use text message, a phone call, or an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy. Text message is the simplest for most people. After you set it up, every time you sign in on a new device, Google sends a code to your phone and asks you to enter it before letting you in.
This sounds like extra work, but you only do it when you sign in somewhere new. On devices you use every day, you sign in once and you're done. The security gain is worth the small inconvenience.
Signing out on a shared computer
If you're using someone else's computer or a public computer, always sign out when you're finished. In the top right corner of any Google page, click your profile picture, then click "Sign out." This removes your account from that browser completely.
On a shared home computer, signing out is especially important because anyone else who uses that computer could otherwise open Gmail or Google Drive and see your emails and files. Don't rely on closing the browser tab — that doesn't sign you out.
If you forget to sign out and realize it later, you can sign out remotely. Go to accounts.google.com on any other device, click "Security" in the left menu, scroll to "Your devices," and click "Manage all devices." Find the device you used and click "Sign out" next to it. This immediately removes your account from that computer's browser.
Recovering a hacked or locked account
If you think someone else is using your account, go to accounts.google.com/security and look at "Your devices" to see where your account is signed in. If you see a location or device you don't recognize, click it and select "Sign out." This removes the intruder's access immediately.
Next, change your password. Click "Password" in the Security menu and enter a new one — make it something long and unique that you don't use anywhere else. If you've used the same password on other websites, change those too, because the intruder may have tried them.
If you can't sign in at all and you're sure it's your account, use the password recovery process described above. If that doesn't work, Google has a special account recovery form at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery that walks you through additional verification steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access my Google account without a password?
No, you need either your password or a recovery method like a phone number or backup email. Google doesn't have a way to sign in without proving your identity. If you've lost access to all recovery methods, you'll need to work through Google's account recovery form, which may take several days.
What happens if I sign in on a new device?
If you have two-step verification on, Google sends a code to your phone and asks you to enter it. If you don't have two-step verification, you sign in with your password and you're done. Either way, the new device remembers you after that first sign-in.
Can I be signed into Google on multiple devices at once?
Yes. You can be signed in on your phone, tablet, and computer all at the same time. Google treats each device separately, so signing out on one device doesn't affect the others. You can see all your signed-in devices in your Security settings.
What should I do if I see an unfamiliar device in my account?
Go to accounts.google.com/security, click "Your devices," find the unfamiliar device, and click "Sign out." Change your password immediately afterward. If you see multiple unfamiliar devices, your account may have been compromised — consider turning on two-step verification if you haven't already.