The Easy Way to Switch Between Gmail Accounts in Your Browser

There's no need to log out

Woman with laptop on sofa

Viktor Hanacek / PicJumbo

by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated February 18, 2019

You don't have to log in and out to switch Gmail accounts, and you don't have to resort to multiple browsers, browser versions, or insulated browser installations either. Learn how to switch Gmail accounts and open multiple Gmail accounts side by side.

Link Your Gmail Accounts

The trick is to link your Gmail accounts. After they are linked, toggle between them to access both of your Gmail accounts at the same time.

  1. Open Gmail and log in with your first Gmail username and password.

  2. In the top right corner of the Gmail screen, select your profile picture or name.

  3. Select Add Account.

  4. Enter a second Gmail address you want to add as a linked account.

    Sign in screen for second Gmail account

  5. In the Password text box, enter the password of the second account.

  6. Select Sign in.

  7. Repeat this process to add additional Gmail accounts.

To unlink Gmail accounts, log out of either of the connected accounts.

Switch Fast Between Multiple Gmail Accounts

To switch between two or more Gmail accounts or to open them side by side in browser tabs:

  1. Link the Gmail accounts as described above. 

  2. Select your profile picture or name.

  3. In the list of linked accounts, choose the email address for your other Gmail account.

  4. The Gmail inbox for your other account appears in the browser window.

As an alternative, forward all your mail to one Gmail account and set up that account so that it sends from the other addresses.