The fastest way to sign out of Google Play
To sign out of Google Play on your phone or tablet, open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Manage your Google Account." Go to the "Security" tab, scroll down to "Your devices," find the device you want to sign out of, and tap it. Select "Sign out" at the bottom of the screen.
On some Android devices, you can also sign out by going to Settings > Accounts > Google, selecting your Google account, tapping the three dots in the top right, and choosing "Remove account." This removes the account from your device entirely, which also signs you out of Google Play and all other Google services on that device.
If you're signing out because you're selling or giving away your phone, removing the account is the safer choice — it prevents the next person from accessing your email, photos, and payment methods. If you're just taking a break from the Play Store, using the first method keeps your account on the device but signs you out of the store itself.
Key Takeaways
- The quickest sign-out is through your profile icon in the Play Store app: tap it, select "Manage your Google Account," go to Security, find your device, and tap "Sign out."
- Removing your Google account from Settings > Accounts > Google signs you out of everything Google on that device, including Gmail and Google Play.
- Sign out before selling or giving away a phone to prevent the new owner from accessing your email, photos, and saved payment methods.
- Signing out of Google Play does not delete your apps or data — you can sign back in later and your purchases remain tied to your account.
Why you might want to sign out
You might sign out of Google Play if you're handing your phone to someone else temporarily, selling the device, or concerned about unauthorized purchases. Signing out prevents anyone with access to your phone from buying apps or games using your payment method.
If you share a device with family members, signing out and having each person sign in with their own account keeps purchases and app libraries separate. Each person's apps, wishlist, and payment history stays private to their own Google account.
Signing out on a shared device
If multiple people use the same phone or tablet, Android lets you create separate user accounts on the device itself. Each user can have their own Google account, apps, and settings. To set this up, go to Settings > System > Multiple users (or Users, depending on your Android version), then tap "Add user" and follow the prompts.
Once you've created separate user accounts, each person can sign into their own Google account when they switch to their profile. This is more secure than sharing one Google account, because each person's payment method and personal data stays separate. When one person is done using the phone, they can switch to another user's profile, and that person's apps and settings appear instead.
What happens after you sign out
After you sign out of Google Play, your apps stay on your phone — they don't disappear. You can still open and use any app you've already installed. However, you won't be able to download new apps, update existing ones, or access your wishlist until you sign back in.
Your purchase history and app library remain tied to your Google account in the cloud. If you sign back in later on any device, you can re-download any app you've ever bought without paying again. The same goes for free apps — your account remembers which ones you've installed.
If you forgot your Google password
If you want to sign out but can't remember your Google password, you don't need it. Use the account removal method instead: go to Settings > Accounts > Google, select your account, tap the three dots, and choose "Remove account." You'll need to enter your device's PIN, pattern, or fingerprint, but not your Google password.
If you need to sign back in later and have forgotten your password, visit accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on a computer or another device. Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number you set up with your account. Once you've reset your password, you can sign back into Google Play on your phone.
Signing out on a Chromebook
Chromebooks work differently from Android phones because they're built around your Google account. To sign out on a Chromebook, click your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen, then click "Sign out." This signs you out of the entire Chromebook, not just Google Play.
If you share a Chromebook with others, you can create separate user accounts instead of signing out. Each person gets their own login, apps, and settings. Click "Add person" on the sign-in screen and follow the prompts to create a new account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my apps be deleted if I sign out of Google Play?
No. Your installed apps stay on your phone after you sign out. You can still open and use them. You just won't be able to download new apps or update existing ones until you sign back in with a Google account.
Can I sign out of Google Play without removing my Google account from my phone?
Yes. Use the method through the Play Store app itself: tap your profile icon, select "Manage your Google Account," go to Security, find your device, and tap "Sign out." This signs you out of the Play Store but keeps your Google account on the phone for email and other services.
What's the difference between signing out and removing my account?
Signing out of Google Play keeps your account on the phone but logs you out of the store. Removing your account deletes it from the phone entirely, which also signs you out of Gmail, Google Drive, and all other Google services. Removing is more secure if you're giving the phone to someone else.
Do I lose my app purchases if I sign out?
No. Your purchases stay tied to your Google account forever. When you sign back in on any device, you can re-download any app you've bought without paying again. Your purchase history is stored in Google's servers, not on your phone.
How do I sign out of Google Play on a tablet?
The steps are the same as on a phone. Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, select "Manage your Google Account," go to Security, find your device, and tap "Sign out." You can also remove your account through Settings > Accounts > Google if you prefer.