Switch your default Google account in three steps

Your default Google account is the one that automatically opens when you visit Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or other Google services. To change it, you sign out of all Google accounts, then sign back in with the account you want as your default. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on phones, tablets, and computers.

The account you set as default becomes the one Google remembers. If you use multiple Google accounts, you can switch between them without signing out completely — but only one can be your default, and that's the one that loads first when you open a new browser tab or visit a Google service.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default Google account is the one that opens automatically when you visit Gmail or other Google services.
  • To change your default, sign out of all Google accounts, then sign back in with the account you want to be default first.
  • On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of any Google page to see all signed-in accounts and sign out.
  • On a phone or tablet, open the Gmail or Google app, tap your profile picture, and select "Sign out of all accounts" before signing back in.
  • Once you sign back in with your preferred account, it becomes your new default for that device and browser.

Change your default account on a computer

Open any Google service — Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or Google Search. Look for your profile picture in the top right corner of the page and click it. A menu will drop down showing all the Google accounts currently signed in on that browser.

Click "Sign out of all accounts" at the bottom of that menu. You will be signed out completely. Then go back to the same Google service and sign in with the account you want to be your default. That account is now your default for this browser on this computer.

If you use multiple browsers on the same computer (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), each one has its own default account. You will need to repeat this process in each browser if you want the same default account everywhere.

Change your default account on a phone or tablet

Open the Gmail app or the Google app on your phone. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will appear with options including your email address and "Manage your Google Account."

Scroll down and tap "Sign out of all accounts." You will be signed out completely. Open Gmail or Google again and sign in with the account you want as your default. That account is now your default on this device.

On Android phones, you can also manage accounts through Settings. Go to Settings, scroll to "Google," tap it, then tap "Manage your Google Account." From there you can see all accounts on the device, though signing out through the Gmail app is usually faster.

What happens when you have multiple accounts signed in

Google lets you stay signed into multiple accounts at the same time on the same device. When you do, your default account is the one that loads first, but you can switch to another account without signing out. Click your profile picture and select a different account from the list.

Switching between accounts this way is fast, but it does not change your default. Your default stays the same until you sign out of all accounts and sign back in with a different one first. This is useful if you have a work account and a personal account — you can keep both signed in and switch between them, but your default will always be whichever one you set.

Why your default account matters

Your default account determines which email address receives password reset codes, which calendar opens when you click a Google Calendar link, and which Google Drive folder appears when you open Google Drive. If you have multiple accounts and you sign into the wrong default, you may end up looking for files in the wrong place or having recovery codes sent to the wrong email.

Setting the right default saves you from having to switch accounts every time you open a Google service. It also matters for shared devices — if someone else uses your computer or phone, they will see your default account first, so make sure it is the account you use most often on that device.

Troubleshooting: Your default account did not change

If you signed out and signed back in but your default account did not change, clear your browser cache and cookies. In Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then "Clear browsing data." Make sure "Cookies and other site data" is checked, then click Clear Data. Sign out again and sign back in.

On a phone, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Gmail app. Sometimes the app holds onto cached login information. After you reinstall it, sign in with the account you want as your default.

If you are using a work or school account managed by your organization, your default account may be locked in place by administrator settings. Contact your IT department or help desk to see if they can change it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have two default accounts?

No. Only one account can be your default on a device or browser. You can stay signed into multiple accounts and switch between them, but your default is always the one that loads first when you open a Google service.

Does changing my default account on my phone change it on my computer?

No. Each device has its own default account, and each browser on a computer has its own default. You will need to change your default separately on each device and browser where you want a different account.

What if I forgot the password to the account I want as my default?

Use Google's account recovery process. Go to accounts.google.com, click "Sign in," then click "Forgot password?" Follow the steps to verify your identity. You can use a recovery email address or phone number linked to your account. Once you reset your password, sign out of all accounts and sign back in with that account to make it your default.

Will changing my default account delete my files or emails from other accounts?

No. Your files, emails, and data stay in the accounts where they are stored. Changing your default account only changes which account opens first — it does not move or delete anything from your other accounts.

Can I change my default account on a shared device?

Yes, but whoever sets their account as default last will have that account open first. If you share a device with others, consider setting up separate user profiles on your computer or phone instead, so each person has their own default account.