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 select "Sign out" from the menu that appears. On a phone, tap the same profile picture icon and choose "Sign out". The process takes about three seconds and works the same way whether you use Gmail on a web browser or the Gmail app.
If you cannot see your profile picture — for example, if you are using a shared computer and someone else's account is showing — look for the account name or initials in the top right corner instead. Clicking that will open the same menu.
Key Takeaways
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail and select "Sign out" to end your session immediately.
- On a phone, the process is identical: tap the profile picture and choose "Sign out".
- Signing out on a shared device removes your account from that browser or app, but does not delete your emails or account.
- If you want to remove your account from a device permanently, you can remove it from your Google Account settings instead of just signing out.
Signing out on a computer browser
Open Gmail in any web browser and look at the top right corner of the page. You will see either your profile picture (a small circle with a photo) or your initials in a colored circle. Click on it.
A dropdown menu will appear with your name, email address, and several options. Select "Sign out" at the bottom of this menu. Your Gmail session will end, and the next time someone opens Gmail in that browser, they will see the login screen.
If you are using Gmail on a shared computer and want to make sure your account is completely removed, you can also sign out of your entire Google Account. In the same profile menu, click "Manage your Google Account" and then go to the "Security" tab. Scroll down to "Your devices" and select "Manage all devices". Find the device you are using and click "Sign out" next to it. This removes your account from that device entirely.
Signing out on the Gmail app (Android or iPhone)
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. It will be a small circle, usually showing your photo or initials. A menu will slide up from the bottom of the screen.
Tap "Sign out" at the bottom of this menu. You will see a confirmation asking if you are sure. Tap "Sign out" again. The app will return to the login screen, and your account will no longer be active on that phone.
If you have multiple Gmail accounts on the same phone, signing out of one account does not affect the others. Each account signs out independently.
What happens when you sign out
Signing out ends your session but does not delete anything. Your emails, contacts, calendar events, and all other data remain in your Google Account and will be there the next time you sign in.
On a shared device, signing out prevents the next person from reading your emails or accessing your account without your password. However, if you want to remove your account from a device you no longer use — like an old phone or tablet — signing out is the right step to take.
If you cannot find the sign-out option
On some older browsers or if Gmail is not loading properly, the profile picture menu might not appear. Try refreshing the page by pressing F5 (or Command+R on a Mac) and then clicking the profile picture again.
If you are using Gmail through a work or school account, your organization might have set up additional security rules. In that case, look for a "Sign out" button at the bottom of the Gmail page itself, or contact your IT department for instructions specific to your account.
On a phone, if the Gmail app is not responding, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If the sign-out option still does not appear, you can also go to your phone's Settings, find the Gmail or Google account section, and remove the account from there.
Signing out versus removing your account
Signing out and removing an account are two different actions. Signing out ends your current session but keeps your account linked to that device. The next time you open Gmail, you can sign back in with just your password.
Removing an account completely deletes it from that device. On a computer, you can do this by signing into your Google Account settings and removing the device. On a phone, go to Settings, find Accounts (or Google), select your Gmail account, and tap "Remove account". You will need to sign in again from scratch the next time you want to use Gmail on that device.
For a shared computer or phone you are giving away, removing the account is the safer choice. For a device you use regularly and plan to sign back into, signing out is usually enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out delete my emails?
No. Signing out only ends your session. All your emails, contacts, and other data stay in your Google Account. When you sign back in with your password, everything will be there.
Can someone else access my Gmail after I sign out?
Not without your password. Signing out removes your account from that browser or app. The next person would need to enter your email address and password to access your account. On a shared device, signing out is an important security step.
What if I sign out but forget to sign back in?
Nothing happens. Your account remains active in Google's systems. You can sign in from any device at any time using your email and password. Signing out only affects that specific browser or app.
How do I sign out of Gmail on all my devices at once?
Go to your Google Account settings at myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, scroll to "Your devices", and select "Manage all devices". You can sign out of all active sessions from there, though you will need to sign back in on each device individually.
Is signing out the same as deactivating my account?
No. Signing out ends your session on one device. Deactivating or deleting your account is permanent and removes all your data from Google. To deactivate your account, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy", and look for account deletion options. Signing out is temporary; account deletion is not.