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 click "Sign out" from the menu that appears. That's the standard method on a computer. On a phone or tablet, tap the same profile picture icon and select "Sign out" from the options shown.
If you don't see a profile picture — for example, if you're using a shared computer and someone else's account is showing — look for a circular icon or initial in the top right corner instead. The location is always the same, and the sign-out option is always in that menu.
Key Takeaways
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign out" to leave your Gmail account on any device.
- On shared computers, signing out removes your account from that browser, but does not delete your emails or account data.
- If you want to remove your account from a device entirely, use the account removal option instead of just signing out.
- Signing out of Gmail does not automatically sign you out of other Google services like YouTube or Google Drive unless you use the "Sign out of all accounts" option.
Signing out on a computer or laptop
Open Gmail in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the page. You'll see either a circular profile picture or a circle with your initial inside it. Click that icon once.
A small menu will drop down with several options. The "Sign out" button is usually near the bottom of this menu. Click it, and you'll be taken to the Gmail sign-in page. Your account is now signed out on that browser.
If you're on a shared computer and want to be extra sure no one can access your account, close the browser window completely after signing out. This clears any remaining session data from that browser.
Signing out on a phone or tablet
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. On some Android phones, this might be a circular icon with your initial or photo. On iPhones and iPads, the location is the same.
A menu will appear with options including "Manage your Google Account," "Settings," and "Sign out." Tap "Sign out" to leave your account. You'll return to the sign-in screen, and the app will no longer show your emails until you sign back in.
The difference between signing out and removing your account
Signing out means you're leaving your account on that device, but the account still exists and can be signed back into. Your emails stay on Google's servers. The next person to use that device will see the sign-in screen, not your inbox.
Removing your account is a stronger action. It deletes your account information from that specific device entirely — no cached data, no stored passwords, nothing. If you're selling a phone or giving a computer to someone else, removing the account is the safer choice. To remove an account on Android, go to Settings > Accounts > Google > [your account] > Remove Account. On iPhone, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > [your account] > Delete Account.
What happens to your emails when you sign out
Your emails do not disappear when you sign out. They remain stored on Google's servers and will be there when you sign back in. Signing out only removes access from that particular device or browser — it doesn't delete anything.
If you're worried about someone else seeing your emails on a shared device, signing out is enough. The next person who opens Gmail will need to enter a username and password to access any account.
Signing out of Gmail but staying signed into other Google services
When you click "Sign out" from the Gmail menu, you sign out of Gmail only. You may stay signed into YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, or other Google services on that same device, depending on how your browser handles sessions.
If you want to sign out of all Google services at once, look for an option that says "Sign out of all accounts" in the profile menu. This is less common but appears on some devices. Otherwise, you'll need to sign out of each service separately, or clear your browser's cookies and cache.
Troubleshooting: The sign-out button isn't showing
If you don't see a profile picture or sign-out option in the top right corner, you may already be signed out. Try refreshing the page — Gmail should show the sign-in screen if no account is active.
On some older browsers or if JavaScript is disabled, the profile menu might not work. Try using a different browser, or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If you're using Gmail in an incognito or private window, signing out may not work the same way — close the window instead to clear the session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out of Gmail delete my emails?
No. Your emails stay on Google's servers. Signing out only removes access from that device or browser. When you sign back in, all your emails will be there.
Will I stay signed into Gmail if I just close the browser?
Usually not. Closing the browser window typically ends your session. However, if you have "Stay signed in" enabled, Gmail may remember your account the next time you open it. To be certain you're signed out, use the sign-out button instead of just closing the browser.
Can I sign out of Gmail on one device without affecting my account on another?
Yes. Signing out on your phone does not sign you out on your computer or tablet. Each device maintains its own session. You can sign out of Gmail on as many or as few devices as you want independently.
What should I do if I forgot to sign out on a public computer?
If you have access to that computer again, go back and sign out using the method above. If you don't have access, you can change your Google password from any other device, which will sign you out of Gmail everywhere. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, then "Your devices" to see where you're signed in.