Add a second Gmail account in three steps
You can add a second Gmail account to any device where you already use Gmail — your phone, tablet, or computer. The account stays separate from your first one, so your emails, contacts, and settings don't mix. On most devices, you switch between accounts with a single tap or click.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using a phone, tablet, or computer, but the core process is the same: open Gmail or your device settings, select the option to add an account, and sign in with your second Gmail address and password.
Key Takeaways
- You can add a second Gmail account on your phone, tablet, or computer without removing your first account.
- On Android phones, add the account through Settings > Accounts > Add Account, then choose Google.
- On iPhones and iPads, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, and select "Add another account".
- On a computer, click your profile picture in Gmail's top right corner and select "Add another account".
- After adding the account, you can switch between them instantly without signing out.
Add a second Gmail account on Android
On an Android phone or tablet, the fastest way is through your device settings rather than the Gmail app itself. Open Settings, then tap Accounts (sometimes labeled "Accounts and backup" or "Users and accounts" depending on your phone model). Tap Add Account, then select Google from the list.
Enter your second Gmail address and password when prompted. Android will ask you to verify your identity — you may need to enter a recovery email, phone number, or answer a security question if Google doesn't recognize the device. Once verified, the account syncs to your phone. Open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, and you'll see both accounts listed. Tap the one you want to read.
If you don't see the account appear in Gmail right away, close the app completely and reopen it. Sometimes Android needs a moment to sync the new account to the Gmail app.
Add a second Gmail account on iPhone or iPad
On an iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail app. Tap your profile picture in the top left corner — it's a small circle with your initial or photo. Scroll down and tap Add another account. Select Google when prompted.
Enter your second Gmail address and tap Next. Type your password and tap Next again. Google may ask for additional verification, such as a code sent to your phone or recovery email. Complete whatever verification Google requests, then tap Allow when the Gmail app asks permission to access your account.
Once added, you'll return to the account list. Tap the account you want to use, and Gmail switches to it instantly. Your inbox, settings, and contacts for that account load separately from your first account.
Add a second Gmail account on a computer
On a Mac or Windows computer, open Gmail in your web browser and sign in with your first account if you're not already. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of the Gmail window. A menu drops down — select Add another account.
A new browser window or tab opens. Enter your second Gmail address and click Next. Type your password and click Next. Complete any security verification Google requests, then click Allow when Gmail asks for permission.
You'll return to Gmail. Click your profile picture again, and you'll see both accounts listed. Click the one you want to switch to. Gmail loads that account's inbox in the same window — you don't need to sign out of the first account.
Switch between your accounts
After adding a second account, switching between them is instant on all devices. On your phone or tablet, open Gmail, tap your profile picture, and select the account you want. On a computer, click your profile picture and choose the account from the dropdown menu.
Each account keeps its own inbox, labels, settings, and contacts. If you create a label in your first account, it won't appear in your second account. If you change the theme or notification settings in one account, the other account keeps its own settings. This separation is intentional — it keeps your accounts independent.
What happens to your first account
Adding a second account does not affect your first one. Your emails, contacts, labels, and settings stay exactly as they are. You don't need to sign out of the first account to use the second one, and you don't need to sign back in to return to the first one.
If you're worried about accidentally sending an email from the wrong account, most email clients let you set a default account. On Gmail's web version, click your profile picture, select "Manage your Google Account", go to the "Security" tab, and look for "Your devices" to see where each account is signed in. On the Gmail app for phone, you can set which account appears first in your account list by holding and dragging the account name.
Remove a second account if you don't need it
If you add a second account and later decide you don't want it on that device, you can remove it without deleting the account itself. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts, tap the account you want to remove, and select Remove Account. On iPhone, open Gmail, tap your profile picture, swipe left on the account you want to remove, and tap Delete.
On a computer, removing an account is different — you're signing out rather than removing it. Click your profile picture in Gmail, select the account you want to remove, and click Sign out. The account is no longer accessible from that browser, but it still exists and you can sign back in anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more than two Gmail accounts to one device?
Yes. Most phones and computers let you add as many Gmail accounts as you want. On Android, repeat the "Add Account" process for each one. On iPhone, tap "Add another account" in Gmail as many times as needed. On a computer, click your profile picture and select "Add another account" for each additional account.
Will adding a second account use more storage on my phone?
It depends on your sync settings. By default, Gmail syncs recent emails to your phone to save space. If you turn on full sync for both accounts, you'll use more storage. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts > Google > your account > Account sync to control what syncs. On iPhone, open Gmail settings and adjust sync for each account separately.
What if I forget the password to my second account?
Go to accounts.google.com and click "Forgot password?" Enter the email address for the second account. Google will send a recovery code to your backup email or phone number. Follow the prompts to reset your password, then sign in again on your device.
Can I set one account as my default so emails send from it automatically?
On a computer, yes. In Gmail's web version, click the gear icon in the top right, select "See all settings", go to the "Accounts and Import" tab, and choose which account appears as your default under "Send mail as". On phones, Gmail doesn't have a default-send setting — you choose which account to send from each time you compose an email.
Do I need a different password for each Gmail account?
Each Gmail account has its own password. If you use the same password for both accounts, you can still add them both to your device — just enter each password when prompted. However, using different passwords for each account is more secure.