How to sign in to Gmail on a computer or phone

Go to gmail.com in your web browser. Enter the email address associated with your Gmail account, then click the Next button. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If you have set up two-step verification (a security feature that sends a code to your phone), you will be asked to enter that code before you can access your inbox.

On a phone or tablet, download the Gmail app from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). Open the app, tap Sign in, and enter your email address and password the same way you would on a computer. The app will remember your login unless you manually sign out.

If you are already signed in but cannot see your email, refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Sometimes Gmail takes a few seconds to load your messages, especially on a slow internet connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail sign-in happens at gmail.com on a computer or through the Gmail app on a phone, using your full email address and password.
  • If you set up two-step verification, you will need to enter a security code sent to your phone after entering your password.
  • If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Gmail sign-in page to reset it using a recovery email or phone number.
  • If you cannot access the recovery email or phone number you set up, Google offers other ways to verify your identity, though the process takes longer.

Resetting your password if you are locked out

On the Gmail sign-in page, click the Forgot password? link below the password field. Enter the last password you remember, or click Try another way if you cannot recall any recent password. Google will then ask you to verify your identity using either a recovery email address or a phone number you added to your account earlier.

If you set up a recovery email, Google will send a link to that address. Click the link and follow the steps to create a new password. If you set up a recovery phone number, Google will send a text message or call with a verification code. Enter that code on the Gmail page, then create a new password.

Write down your new password somewhere safe, or use a password manager (a program that stores passwords securely) so you do not lose access again. Make sure your new password is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

What to do if you do not recognize the recovery email or phone number

If the recovery email or phone number shown during password reset is not yours, someone else may have access to your account. Click I do not have access to these and Google will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created the account, such as your recovery phone number, the date you created the account, or your previous passwords.

Answer as many questions as you can accurately. Google uses your answers to confirm you are the real account owner. If you cannot answer most of the questions, the process will take longer — Google may ask you to provide additional information or wait several days while they investigate.

If you believe someone has changed your recovery information on purpose, you can report the issue to Google through their account recovery form. This process is slower but helps protect your account from unauthorized access.

Signing in when you have two-step verification turned on

Two-step verification adds an extra security layer by requiring a code in addition to your password. After you enter your password at gmail.com, Google will ask how you want to receive your verification code: through a text message, a phone call, or an authentication app like Google Authenticator.

If you choose text message or call, enter the code Google sends you within 10 minutes. If you use an authentication app, open the app on your phone and read the six-digit code it displays, then enter that code on the Gmail page. The code changes every 30 seconds, so you must enter it quickly.

If you do not receive the code or your phone is not with you, click Try another way to use a backup method. Google lets you set up multiple ways to receive codes so you always have a backup option.

Accessing Gmail on multiple devices

You can sign into Gmail on as many devices as you want — your computer, phone, tablet, and even a smart TV. Each device stores your login separately, so signing out on one device does not sign you out on others.

To see which devices are currently signed in, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security on the left side, scroll down to Your devices, and click Manage all devices. This page shows every device logged into your Google account. If you see a device you do not recognize, click it and select Sign out to remove access from that device.

If you are using a shared computer (like one at a library or internet café), always click Sign out when you finish, or use your browser's private or incognito mode so Gmail does not save your login information.

Troubleshooting when Gmail will not load

If you can sign in but Gmail will not load, or if your inbox appears empty, try these steps in order: First, refresh the page by pressing F5 on a computer or swiping down on a phone. Wait 10 seconds and try again. Second, clear your browser's cache and cookies — this removes temporary files that sometimes cause loading problems. Third, try signing in using a different browser (like Chrome instead of Firefox) to see if the problem is specific to one browser.

If Gmail still will not load, check your internet connection by visiting another website like google.com. If other websites load fine but Gmail does not, the problem is usually temporary and will resolve on its own within an hour. If your internet is down, reconnect to your network or move closer to your router.

On a phone, try closing the Gmail app completely and reopening it. If that does not work, uninstall the app and reinstall it from the Google Play Store or App Store. This removes any corrupted files that might be causing the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I forgot my Gmail password and do not have access to my recovery email or phone?

Use the "Forgot password?" link and answer the security questions Google asks, such as when you created the account or what previous passwords you remember. If you cannot answer enough questions, Google will ask for additional information and may take several days to verify your identity. Have your account recovery form ready with any details you can provide about the account.

Can I sign into Gmail on someone else's computer without them seeing my emails?

Yes, but only if you use private or incognito mode in the browser. This mode does not save your login information after you close it. Always sign out manually when you finish, and never check the "Stay signed in" box on a shared computer. After you leave, the person using that computer will not be able to access your Gmail.

What if Gmail says my password is wrong but I am sure it is correct?

Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. Check that Caps Lock is not turned on. If you still cannot sign in, use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it. Also make sure you are entering your full email address (including @gmail.com) and not just your username.

How do I sign out of Gmail on all my devices at once?

Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, then Manage all devices. Click each device and select Sign out, or click Sign out of all other sessions to remove access from every device except the one you are currently using.

Is it safe to save my Gmail password in my browser?

Saving your password in a browser is convenient but risky if someone else uses your computer. A password manager (a dedicated app that stores passwords) is safer because it encrypts your passwords and requires a master password to access them. If you use a shared computer, never save your password in the browser.