The fastest way to add another Gmail account
You can add a second Gmail account to the same device without signing out of your first one. On a phone, you open Settings, find Accounts, and add a new Gmail account there. On a computer, you click your profile picture in the top right of Gmail and select "Add another account." Both methods let you switch between accounts instantly without logging out and back in each time.
The account you add can be a brand new Gmail address you create during setup, or an existing Gmail address you already own. Either way, you will need the password for that account to complete the process. If you have forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you can add the account to your device.
Key Takeaways
- Adding a second account does not remove your first account — both stay active on the same device and you can switch between them instantly.
- On Android phones, go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Google and enter the Gmail address and password you want to add.
- On iPhones and iPads, open the Gmail app, tap the menu icon, scroll to Settings, and select "Add another account."
- On a computer, click your profile picture in Gmail's top right corner and choose "Add another account" to sign in to a second Gmail address.
- You will need the password for the account you are adding — if you do not remember it, reset the password through the Google Account recovery page first.
Adding an account on an Android phone
Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Accounts (sometimes labeled "Accounts and backup"). Tap Add account at the bottom of the screen, then select Google from the list of account types.
Enter the Gmail address you want to add. If you do not have a Gmail address yet, tap "Create account" and follow the steps to make a new one. If you already have the address, type it in and tap Next. Enter the password for that account and tap Next again.
Google will ask you to review and accept their terms. Tap I agree to continue. You may see a screen asking about backup and recovery options — you can skip this or fill it in depending on what you want. Once you finish, the account is added and you can access it from Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, and other Google apps on your phone.
Adding an account on an iPhone or iPad
Open the Gmail app. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Scroll all the way down and tap Settings. Tap Add another account at the bottom of the Settings menu.
Select Google from the list of account types. Enter the Gmail address you want to add and tap Next. Type in the password and tap Next again. Review Google's terms and tap I agree to finish.
The account is now added to the Gmail app. You can switch between accounts by tapping the menu icon again and selecting the account name at the top of the menu. Both accounts will stay signed in so you can move between them without entering passwords each time.
Adding an account on a computer or laptop
Go to Gmail.com and sign in to your first account if you are not already signed in. Look for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the screen and click it. A small menu will appear — click Add another account.
You will be taken to a Google sign-in page. Enter the Gmail address you want to add and click Next. Enter the password for that account and click Next again. Review the terms and click I agree.
Once you finish, you will be switched to the new account. To go back to your first account, click your profile picture again and select the first account's name from the menu. You can switch between accounts as many times as you want throughout the day — both stay signed in on that computer.
Creating a new Gmail address during setup
If you do not have a second Gmail address yet, you can create one while adding an account. On any device, when you reach the sign-in screen, look for a link that says "Create account" or "Create a Google Account." Click or tap it.
Fill in your first and last name, then choose a Gmail address. Google will suggest some options based on your name, or you can type your own. The address must be unique — if someone else already has it, you will need to pick a different one. Create a strong password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and symbols) and enter it twice.
You will be asked for a phone number and recovery email address. These help you get back into the account if you forget your password later, so it is worth filling them in. Finish the setup and the new account will be added to your device right away.
What to do if you forgot the password for the account you want to add
If you are trying to add an account but do not remember the password, you cannot complete the setup on your device. Instead, go to the Google Account recovery page on a web browser and reset the password first.
Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter the Gmail address you want to recover. Google will ask you to verify your identity — you can do this by entering a recovery code sent to your phone number or backup email, or by answering security questions you set up before. Once you have verified your identity, create a new password.
After you have reset the password, go back to your device and try adding the account again. This time, use the new password you just created. The account should add successfully.
Switching between accounts and managing them
Once you have multiple accounts on your device, switching between them is quick. On a phone, open Gmail and tap the menu icon, then tap the account name at the top. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right and select the account you want to use. You will instantly switch to that account's inbox.
If you want to remove an account from your device later, the process is different on each type of device. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts, tap the account you want to remove, and select "Remove account." On iPhone, open Gmail, tap the menu, go to Settings, tap the account name, and select "Delete account from this iPhone." On a computer, click your profile picture and select "Sign out" next to the account you want to remove.
Removing an account from your device does not delete the Gmail address itself — it just stops showing on that device. You can add it back anytime by following the same steps you used to add it the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding a second account delete my first account?
No. Adding another account leaves your first account completely untouched. Both accounts stay active on your device and you can switch between them whenever you want. Removing an account from your device also does not delete it — the Gmail address still exists and you can add it back later.
Can I add more than two accounts to the same device?
Yes. Most phones and computers let you add three, four, or more Gmail accounts to the same device. Each one stays signed in and you can switch between them from the menu. The exact limit depends on your device, but you will not hit it unless you are adding many accounts.
Do I need a different password for each account?
Each Gmail address has its own password, so if you own multiple accounts, each one will have a different password. When you add an account to your device, you enter that account's password once, and then your device remembers it so you do not have to type it in every time you switch accounts.
What if the account I want to add is not a Gmail address?
If you want to add a different email service like Outlook, Yahoo, or your work email, the steps are different. On most devices, you can add non-Gmail accounts through the same Accounts menu, but you select the email provider instead of Google. Gmail itself only lets you add Gmail addresses directly through the app.
Can I add someone else's Gmail account to my device?
Yes, you can add any Gmail address to your device as long as you know the password. However, this means that person's emails, calendar, and contacts will be visible on your device. Only add accounts you trust, and be aware that anyone using your device can see that account's information.