The fastest way to change your default Gmail account
Your default account is the one Gmail opens to when you first load the site or app. To change it, sign out completely, then sign back in to the account you want as default. Gmail will remember that account the next time you visit. If you use multiple accounts, you can also switch between them without signing out by clicking your profile picture in the top right and selecting a different account — but the one you were last logged into remains the default.
The process differs slightly between the web version and the Gmail app on your phone or tablet, but the principle is the same: whichever account you're logged into last becomes the one that loads first next time.
Key Takeaways
- Your default account is whichever one you were logged into most recently when you close Gmail.
- To change your default on the web, sign out completely, then sign back into the account you want to be default.
- On mobile, you can switch accounts by tapping your profile picture, but the last account you used stays default until you switch again.
- If you have multiple accounts added to the Gmail app, removing an account from the app won't delete it — it just stops showing it in your account switcher.
Changing your default on Gmail's website
Open Gmail in your browser and look for your profile picture in the top right corner. Click it, then select "Sign out" at the bottom of the menu. This logs you out of all your accounts at once.
Once you're signed out, go back to Gmail.com and sign in with the email address and password of the account you want to be default. Gmail will now open to this account the next time you visit, as long as you don't sign into a different account afterward.
If you want to keep multiple accounts logged in without changing your default, you can add them instead. After signing into your default account, click your profile picture again and select "Add another account." Sign in with your second account's credentials. Now you can switch between them using the profile picture menu, but your first account remains the default.
Changing your default on the Gmail mobile app
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner (on iPhone) or top right (on Android). You'll see a list of all accounts currently added to the app. Tap the account you want to be default.
That account is now active, and it will be the one that opens when you launch the app next time — but only if you don't switch to a different account before closing the app. If you open the app, switch to another account, and then close it, that second account becomes the new default.
To add another account to the app without changing your default, tap your profile picture, scroll down, and select "Add another account." Sign in with that account's details. You can now tap your profile picture anytime to switch between accounts.
Removing an account from the Gmail app
If you have accounts in the Gmail app that you no longer want to see in the switcher, you can remove them without deleting the actual email account. Tap your profile picture, find the account you want to remove, and swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android). Select "Remove account."
Removing an account from the app only stops it from showing up in your account switcher. The account itself still exists, and you can add it back to the app anytime by tapping "Add another account" again.
What happens if you forget which account is default
If you're not sure which account is set as default, the easiest way to check is to close the Gmail app or browser completely, then open it again. Whichever account loads first is your current default.
On the web, you can also check by looking at the email address shown next to your profile picture in the top right. That's the account currently active, though it may not be your default if you switched to it manually.
Switching between accounts without changing your default
If you use multiple Gmail accounts but want to keep one as your default, use the account switcher instead of signing out. Click your profile picture and select the account you want to use temporarily. When you're done, click your profile picture again and switch back to your default account before closing Gmail.
This way, your default account stays the same, and you avoid the confusion of accidentally making a different account your default by signing out at the wrong time. The switcher works the same way on mobile — tap your profile picture and select the account you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have multiple default accounts?
No, Gmail only has one default account per browser or app. However, you can add multiple accounts to the same app or browser and switch between them using the profile picture menu. The last one you were logged into becomes the default.
Will changing my default account affect my emails or contacts?
No. Changing your default account only changes which account opens first when you load Gmail. Your emails, contacts, and settings in each account stay exactly the same. Each account is completely separate.
What if I'm signed into Gmail on multiple devices?
Each device has its own default account. Changing your default on your phone won't change it on your computer or tablet. You'll need to change the default separately on each device if you want them all to open to the same account.
Does clearing my browser cookies change my default account?
Yes. Clearing cookies and cached data signs you out of Gmail on that browser. When you sign back in, whichever account you log into first becomes your new default. If you clear cookies regularly, you may need to reset your default account each time.
Can I set a default account for Gmail on my work computer?
Yes, the same process works on any computer. Sign out completely, then sign back into the account you want as default. If your workplace uses managed devices, your IT department may have restrictions on which accounts can be set as default.