Android · Accounts & Family
Add a Google or other account to the device
The Add Account flow lets you sign in to a new Google Account or other supported account type (Microsoft Exchange, personal IMAP email, corporate work profile) so its data can sync with apps on the device.
How to open Add Account
- Open Settings
- Tap Passwords & accounts (or Accounts)
- Tap Add account
- Choose the account type and complete sign-in
- Review and adjust the sync toggles that appear
What you should know
- Supports Google, personal email (IMAP/POP), and corporate Exchange accounts
- Each added account gets its own sync toggles for Contacts, Calendar, and Drive
- Multiple Google Accounts can be added and switched between
- Work accounts added this way may create a separate managed work profile
Why it matters
Most of Android's built-in apps, from Gmail to Calendar to Play Store purchases, are tied to an account, so adding the right accounts is the foundation for the whole device working correctly. Getting this step right the first time avoids issues like emails going to the wrong inbox, calendar events missing from the wrong calendar, or purchased apps not showing up because they are tied to a different Google Account than the one currently active.
Best practices
- Add your primary Google Account first so app installs and backups are tied to the right identity
- Use separate accounts for personal and work email rather than forwarding into one inbox on a managed device
- Review sync toggles immediately after adding an account to avoid syncing unwanted data like a second calendar
- Remove unused accounts periodically to reduce background sync and battery use
Common problems and fixes
- Account fails to add with an authentication error
- Confirm two-factor codes or app passwords are entered correctly and that the account is not locked
- Corporate account requires additional setup
- Contact IT, since Exchange accounts may require a device policy controller or work profile
- Added account does not appear in Gmail
- Open Gmail's account switcher and confirm the account was added there as well
Tips and tricks
- Use 'Add account' rather than signing into individual apps separately to keep sync settings centralized
- Rename accounts with ambiguous addresses so they're easier to identify in app switchers
Frequently asked questions
How many accounts can I add?
Android allows multiple accounts of most types, limited mainly by device storage and manufacturer policy.
Does adding an account automatically sync everything?
No, each data type has its own toggle that can be reviewed after the account is added.
Can I remove an account later?
Yes, from the same Accounts menu, though removing it deletes locally synced data for that account.
Related settings
- Google Account SyncAccount sync keeps Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Photos, and other Google app data updated automatically across your devices, tied to your signed-in Google Account.
- Sync Individual Account DataBeyond the master account sync switch, each added account has granular toggles for what actually syncs, such as Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, Drive, or Photos, letting you keep some data local-only while syncing the rest.
- Autofill ServiceThe Autofill Service setting selects which app, such as Google Password Manager or a third-party password manager, automatically fills in saved passwords, addresses, and payment details across apps and browsers.
More Accounts & Family guides for Android
- Digital Wellbeing & Parental ControlsDigital Wellbeing shows exactly how much time you spend on your phone and in each app, with tools like app timers, Focus mode, and Bedtime mode to help rebalance that. The same dashboard connects to Family Link, letting a parent set screen time limits, app approval, and content filters on a child's supervised device.
- Multiple Users / Guest ModeMultiple users lets several people share one Android device while keeping separate apps, accounts, wallpapers, and settings in fully isolated profiles. Guest mode offers a lighter, temporary alternative for a one-off borrower, with everything discarded once that guest session ends.
- Family Link SupervisionFamily Link connects a child's supervised Google Account to a parent's device, allowing approval of app downloads, screen time limits, content filters, and location checks directly from Android Settings or the Family Link app.
- Emergency Information / Medical IDEmergency Information lets you store medical conditions, allergies, medications, and emergency contacts so they are visible from the lock screen without unlocking the device, giving first responders critical information quickly.
- Google One / Device BackupThis setting controls the automatic cloud backup of app data, call history, device settings, and photos to your Google Account, optionally using additional Google One storage, so everything can be restored when setting up a new device.
- Personal DictionaryThe Personal Dictionary stores custom words, names, and abbreviations you've added or that the keyboard has learned, so they are recognized instead of flagged as typos and are suggested during predictive typing.