The basic steps to sign in
Go to accounts.google.com or open Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or any Google service. You will see a sign-in page asking for your email address or phone number. Type the email address or phone number connected to your Google account, then click or tap Next.
On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If you have set up two-step verification (a security feature that requires a second form of proof), Google will ask you to confirm your identity using your phone, security key, or an authentication app before letting you in.
Once you sign in successfully, you will land on your Google homepage or the service you opened. Your account stays signed in on that device until you manually sign out or clear your browser data.
Key Takeaways
- Visit accounts.google.com or open any Google service, enter your email address or phone number, then your password.
- If two-step verification is on, you will need to confirm your identity using your phone, a security key, or an app before signing in.
- You can stay signed in on your personal device, but always sign out on shared or public computers.
- If you forget your password, use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it using your recovery email or phone number.
Signing in on different devices
The sign-in process is the same on phones, tablets, and computers, but the steps look slightly different depending on what you are using. On a phone or tablet, open the Gmail app, Google Drive app, or any other Google app and tap the sign-in button. Type your email and password the same way you would on a computer.
On a computer, you can also sign in through your web browser. Open a new tab and go to accounts.google.com, or simply click the profile icon in the top right corner of any Google service and select "Sign in" if you are not already logged in.
Some devices, like Android phones and tablets, let you sign in during the initial setup. You will see a prompt asking for your Google account information. Entering it then automatically signs you into Gmail, Google Play, and other Google services on that device.
What to do if you forget your password
Click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in page. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or it will let you skip that step. You will then be asked to verify your identity using your recovery email address or phone number.
If you set up a recovery email when you created your account, Google will send a reset link to that address. Click the link, create a new password, and you can sign back in. If you do not have access to your recovery email, Google can send a verification code to your recovery phone number instead.
If you cannot access either your recovery email or phone number, you can answer security questions you set up during account creation. Google will ask for information like your birth date or previous passwords to confirm you own the account.
Staying signed in versus signing out
When you sign in on your personal computer or phone, Google remembers you. The next time you visit a Google service, you will already be signed in without typing your password again. This is convenient for devices only you use.
On a shared computer — at a library, school, or internet café — always sign out when you are done. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of any Google service and select "Sign out". This removes your account from that device so the next person cannot access your email, photos, or other data.
If you are on a shared device and want to stay signed in without letting others see your account, use Guest mode in Chrome or Private browsing in other browsers. These modes do not save your sign-in information after you close the browser.
Two-step verification and sign-in security
Two-step verification adds a second layer of security to your account. After you enter your password, Google asks you to confirm your identity using something only you have — usually your phone. This means even if someone knows your password, they cannot sign in without that second confirmation.
When you sign in with two-step verification on, Google will send a code to your phone via text message, ask you to tap a notification on your phone, or prompt you to use an authentication app like Google Authenticator. You enter or approve this code to finish signing in.
The first time you sign in on a new device, you may see a message asking if you trust that device. If you select "Yes," Google will remember it and will not ask for two-step verification the next time you sign in from that same device. This is safe for personal devices but not for shared computers.
Signing into multiple Google accounts on one device
You can sign into more than one Google account on the same device. On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right corner of any Google service and select "Add another account". Sign in with the second account's email and password.
Once you have multiple accounts signed in, you can switch between them by clicking your profile icon and selecting the account you want to use. Each account keeps its own email, calendar, photos, and settings separate.
On a phone or tablet, open the Gmail app or another Google app and tap your profile icon. Select "Add another account" and sign in with the second account. You can then switch between accounts within the app without signing out.
Troubleshooting common sign-in problems
If you see a message saying "Wrong password," check that Caps Lock is not on and that you are typing correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters matter. If you are still stuck, use the "Forgot password?" option to reset it.
If Google says your account does not exist, double-check the email address or phone number you are using. You may have created your account with a different email than the one you are trying now. If you cannot remember which email you used, you can search your old emails for a message from Google.
If you see a message saying "This account has been disabled," your account may have violated Google's terms of service or been compromised. Google will usually explain why in the message. You can request a review of the decision through the link provided, though not all disabled accounts can be recovered.
If you are having trouble on a phone or tablet, try clearing the app's cache. Go to your device's Settings, find the Gmail or Google app, select "Storage" or "App info," and tap "Clear cache." Then try signing in again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign in with my phone number instead of my email address?
Yes. On the sign-in page, enter the phone number connected to your Google account instead of your email address. Google will recognize it and ask for your password. This works only if you added that phone number to your account during setup or later in your account settings.
What happens if I sign in on a public computer?
Your account information will be visible to anyone who uses that computer next unless you sign out. Always click your profile icon and select "Sign out" before leaving a public computer. If you forgot to sign out, you can remotely sign out from another device by going to myaccount.google.com, selecting "Security," and choosing "Your devices."
How do I sign in if I lost my phone and cannot receive two-step verification codes?
If you set up backup codes when you turned on two-step verification, you can use one of those codes instead of a phone code. If you did not save backup codes, go to the sign-in page, click "Can't use your phone?", and follow the steps to verify your identity using your recovery email or security questions.
Can I sign in to Google on a smart TV or other device?
Yes, but the process is different. Smart TVs, smart speakers, and other devices usually show you a code on the screen. You then go to google.com/device on your phone or computer, enter that code, and sign in there. This is safer than typing your password on a device with a small keyboard.
What should I do if I think someone else signed into my account?
Go to myaccount.google.com and select "Security." Scroll down to "Your devices" and look for sign-ins from places or devices you do not recognize. Click on any suspicious activity and select "Sign out" to remove that session. Then change your password and turn on two-step verification if you have not already.