The quickest way to change your default Google account

Your default Google account is the one that opens automatically when you visit Gmail, Google Drive, or other Google services. To change it, sign out of all your Google accounts, then sign back in with the account you want as your default. Google treats whichever account you sign in to first as the primary one.

If you have multiple accounts already signed in, you can also switch which one appears first by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail or most Google services, then selecting the account you want to use. This doesn't change your default permanently — it just switches you to that account for the current session.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default account is whichever one you sign into first after signing out of all accounts.
  • You can switch between multiple signed-in accounts by clicking your profile picture and selecting a different account.
  • Signing out completely and signing back in with your preferred account makes that one your default.
  • Chrome and Gmail treat your default account separately, so you may need to change it in both places.
  • Removing an account from your browser or device removes it from the quick-access list but doesn't delete the account itself.

Sign out completely and sign back in with your preferred account

The most reliable way to set a new default account is to remove all Google accounts from your browser, then sign in again with the one you want as your default. In Chrome, click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click "Sign out" next to your name. If you have multiple accounts signed in, repeat this for each one.

Once you are signed out of all accounts, go to Gmail.com or any Google service. You will be prompted to sign in. Enter the email and password for the account you want as your default. After you sign in, that account becomes your primary one across Google services.

If you want to add other accounts back without changing your default, click your profile picture after signing in, select "Add another account," and sign in with each additional account. The first one you signed in with remains your default.

Switch between accounts without changing your default

If you have multiple Google accounts signed in and want to use a different one temporarily, click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail, Google Drive, or most other Google services. A dropdown menu shows all your signed-in accounts. Click the one you want to switch to.

This change only lasts for your current session. When you close your browser or clear your cookies, you will return to your default account the next time you visit a Google service. If you want the switch to be permanent, you need to change your default account using the sign-out method described above.

Remove an account from your quick-access list

If you have accounts signed in that you no longer want to see in the dropdown menu, you can remove them without signing out of everything. Click your profile picture, find the account you want to remove, and hover over it. A small "X" or "Remove" button appears. Click it to remove that account from your quick-access list.

Removing an account this way does not delete the account or sign you out of it on other devices. It only removes it from the dropdown menu in your current browser. You can always add it back by clicking "Add another account" and signing in again.

Change your default account in Chrome separately from Gmail

Chrome and Gmail can have different default accounts. Your Chrome default account is the one you signed into Chrome itself with, while your Gmail default is the first account you signed into Gmail with. If these are different, you may see unexpected behavior.

To make sure they match, sign into Chrome with the same account you use as your default in Gmail. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of Chrome, then click "Sign in to Chrome" if you are not already signed in. Enter the email and password for your default account. After that, Chrome and Gmail will use the same default account.

What happens when you change your default account

When you change your default account, Google services remember that choice. The next time you visit Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, or other Google services, they open with your new default account. Any bookmarks or shortcuts you saved in your old default account remain there — they do not move to your new default account.

If you use Google services on multiple devices, changing your default on one device does not affect the others. You need to change your default account separately on each phone, tablet, or computer where you use Google services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have two default accounts?

No, you can only have one default account per browser or device. However, you can have multiple accounts signed in and switch between them. The first account you sign in with is always the default.

Does changing my default account delete my old account?

No. Changing your default account does not delete, disable, or affect your old account in any way. Your old account still exists and you can sign into it anytime on any device.

Why does Gmail open with a different account than the one I want?

This usually happens if you signed into Chrome with one account but Gmail with another. Sign out of all accounts in both Chrome and Gmail, then sign into Chrome first with your preferred account, then sign into Gmail with the same account.

Can I change my default account on my phone?

Yes. On Android, go to Settings, then Accounts, and select the Google account you want as your default. On iPhone, open Gmail or another Google app, tap your profile picture, and select the account you want to use as your default.