Adding a second Gmail account takes two to five minutes

You can add another Gmail account to your phone, tablet, or computer without deleting the first one. Both accounts will receive mail separately, and you can switch between them without signing out. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using Gmail on the web, an Android phone, an iPhone, or a desktop email program.

On any device, you'll need the email address and password for the account you want to add. If you don't have a second Gmail account yet, you can create one first at accounts.google.com, then come back to add it.

Key Takeaways

  • On Gmail's website, click your profile picture in the top right, then select "Add another account" to sign into a second Gmail account in the same browser.
  • On Android phones, open Settings, go to Accounts, tap "Add account," select Google, and enter the email and password for your second Gmail account.
  • On iPhones, open the Gmail app, tap the menu icon, scroll to Settings, select your current account, tap "Add another account," and sign in with your second Gmail credentials.
  • Once added, you can switch between accounts by tapping your profile picture or account name — you don't need to sign out of one to use the other.
  • Each account receives its own mail and keeps its own contacts, labels, and settings separate from your first account.

Adding a second account on Gmail's website

Open Gmail in your web browser and sign in with your first account if you aren't already. Look for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the screen. Click it to open a small menu.

Select "Add another account" from the menu. A new window will open asking you to sign in. Enter the email address and password for your second Gmail account, then click "Next." If Google asks you to verify your identity, follow the on-screen steps — this usually means entering a code sent to a recovery phone number or email address.

Once you've signed in, you'll see both accounts listed when you click your profile picture. Click either account name to switch between them. Your inbox, contacts, and settings for each account stay separate.

Adding a second account on an Android phone

Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap "Accounts" or "Accounts and backup" — the exact name varies by phone maker. Tap "Add account," then select "Google" from the list of account types.

Enter the email address for your second Gmail account and tap "Next." Type the password and tap "Next" again. Google may ask you to verify the account by entering a code sent to your phone or a recovery email. Follow the prompts to complete verification.

Once added, open the Gmail app. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left, then scroll to the top of the menu. You'll see both account names listed. Tap the account you want to use, and your inbox will switch to that account's mail. The Gmail app will now show notifications for both accounts.

Adding a second account on an iPhone

Open the Gmail app on your iPhone. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings." You'll see your current account listed at the top of the Settings menu.

Tap your current account name, then tap "Add another account" at the bottom of the screen. Select "Google" when prompted. Enter the email address for your second Gmail account and tap "Next." Type the password and tap "Next" again. Complete any verification steps Google requests.

Once added, go back to the menu by tapping the three lines. Both accounts will now appear at the top of the menu. Tap the account you want to check, and the app will show that account's inbox. You can switch between them as often as you like without signing out.

Adding a second account in Outlook, Apple Mail, or other desktop programs

If you use Outlook, Apple Mail, or another email program on your computer, the process varies by program. In most cases, you'll go to Settings or Preferences, find the Accounts section, and select "Add account" or a similar option.

Choose "Google" or "Gmail" as the account type if the program offers it. You'll be asked to sign in with your second Gmail address and password. Some programs will open a Google sign-in page in your browser; others will ask you to enter credentials directly. Follow the on-screen steps, including any verification requests.

Once added, both accounts will appear in your program's account list or sidebar. You can read mail from both accounts without switching, or you can click each account to view its inbox separately. Check your program's help section if you need specific steps — the exact process depends on which program you're using.

Switching between accounts and managing notifications

On any device, switching between accounts is quick. On the web, click your profile picture and select the account you want. On phones, tap the menu icon and select the account name. Your inbox, contacts, and settings for that account will appear immediately.

You can turn notifications on or off for each account separately. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts, select the Gmail account, and tap "Notifications." On iPhone, open the Gmail app, go to Settings, select the account, and adjust notification options. On the web, click your profile picture, select Settings, and look for notification controls under the Notifications tab.

What happens to your first account

Adding a second account does not affect your first one. Your original inbox, contacts, labels, and settings remain exactly as they were. Mail continues to arrive in both accounts separately — messages sent to your first address go only to that account's inbox, and the same is true for your second account.

You can delete the second account at any time without touching the first. On the web, click your profile picture, select "Manage your Google Account," go to the Security tab, scroll to "Your devices," and remove the device or account. On phones, go to Settings > Accounts, select the Gmail account you want to remove, and tap "Remove account." The first account will remain active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more than two Gmail accounts?

Yes. You can add as many Gmail accounts as you want to the same device or browser. The process is the same — click your profile picture and select "Add another account" each time. You can switch between them by clicking your profile picture and selecting the account name.

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 account you can't access. Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery phone number or email address. Once verified, you can create a new password and use it to sign into the account on your device.

Will adding a second account use more storage?

Each Gmail account has its own 15 GB of free storage shared with Google Drive and Google Photos. Adding a second account gives you another 15 GB of storage for that account's mail and files. The two accounts' storage does not combine or affect each other.

Can I send mail from both accounts in the same app?

Yes. When you compose a new message in the Gmail app or on the web, you can click the "From" field and select which account to send from. Make sure you're signed into both accounts first. On the web, you can also set up a default sending account in Settings under the Accounts tab.

What if my second account isn't showing up after I added it?

Sign out completely and sign back in with your first account, then try adding the second account again. On phones, restart the Gmail app or restart your device. On the web, try a different browser or clear your browser's cache. If the problem continues, remove the account from Settings and add it again from the beginning.