Log-in with Different Gmail or Google Accounts in the Same Browser
Google conventionally did not allow using accounts associated with different Gmail IDs at the same time. We have already discussed in the past ways to switch quickly between Gmail accounts. Now there is an official way to link different Google accounts so that you can use Gmail, Google Reader, Google Voice, and other services with just a click of the mouse within the same browser. You can even change default account to ensure your main accounts stays on top.
Why Is Multiple Sign-in such a good idea?
Suppose you have two Gmail addresses that you use for different purposes. Traditionally, you can use only one at a time. For viewing another inbox, you have to sign out from one Google account and then sign in into another. With multiple sign-in feature, you can directly access the second Gmail inbox without signing out from the first one.
How to Sign in to Multiple Google Accounts?
To use separate Gmail/Google accounts in the same window, you will have to add an account on top of already logged in account. First, open any Google product (Google search, Gmail, Drive, Map) and click on your name or picture on the top right-hand side. Select Add Account from the drop-down.
Alternatively, you can go to https://accounts.google.com/AddSession and add/remove accounts.
After enabling multiple sign-in (linking different Google accounts), you can see a drop-down along with your current Gmail id at the top-right corner of the browser, which will let you choose other Gmail without login-out from the first one.
According to Google Support, Google uses cookies for the sign-in process. Based on the cookie value, you can use only one account at a time. However, Multiple Sign-in allows you to use more than one account at a time in the same browser.
Please note that these simultaneous logins will not work on all Google services. The currently supported products are:
| • Code • Calendar • Finance • Gmail • Reader • Sites • Voice • Docs coming soon |
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Also, Multiple Sign-in is not available for offline Gmail and offline calendar.
PS: It is better to check your current Gmail address before sending a mail. Current Gmail address is at the top-right corner in the browser or at the bottom in the mobile client.
Yes, you can log into multiple gmail accounts at the same time, but not on your browser.
I’ve done it in my mail application.
I have a personal and a professional name, each with its own account, and accounts for my small business (with my internet satellite server) and myself & my husband (internet server).
I was able to set up all the accounts in my Apple 4.4 Mail (Mac OS X 10.6 + higher), then create “On My Mac” Mailboxes for each account so that everything doesn’t have to remain in the “Inbox” (the “On My Mac” Mailbox for each account can be further subdivided into “banking”, “work”, whatever).
Since I have a satellite provider with an “always on” ethernet internet connection, it automatically picked up gmail’s incoming and outcoming addresses, but if you have to set it manually, they are as follows:POP (incoming) imap.gmail.com, and SMTP (outgoing) smtp.gmail.com.
The only “quirky” thing it did was list the “name” on each GMail account as “GMail” after it created the account (without changing any other settings), but I was able to delete “GMail” and rename each account as the individual accounts and save them.
All my read and unread emails in each Gmail account were even redelivered — to their own accounts. No mix-ups whatsoever. Marvelous.
The only thing I don’t like is that it added a “Smart Mailbox” to my viewing pane for each GMail account, with a white GMail box, and blue “personal”, “receipts”, “travel”, and “work” boxes (envelopes): the blue ones can be deleted (I’d rather sub-categorize my own mail), but the white one can’t, even though there’s nothing in it because the mail is all in my created Gmail box for that name.
No, my GMail accounts aren’t all on my browser page, but I’ll sacrifice that to have all the Gmail accounts in the same place, without constantly signing in and out and in as a different user, to have every single account check for new mail every time I open “Mail”, etc.
So much easier.
Apple support told me I could do that, and they were right.
Elizabetta Angelina
Thanks for the valuable input Elizabetta.
This is not as good a feature as everybody seems to think… For those of us using google apps, we USED to be able to have different apps accounts (with different domains) in different tabs of the same browser. Now, as everything has been merged, we’re forced to be logged into only 1 google account (be it gmail or my work domain) at once.
And if we want to switch between them, we have to click and reload another account.
And – this feature only supports up to 3 accounts.
And does it sync across different accounts/computers? Even when you have browser sync in Chrome turned on?
No.
Seriously, this is the first time I’ve been let down by a google product, and the first time I’ve found them to be less than intuitive, AND the first time I’ve actually started considering other options for my mail, which upsets me, because I love Google.
Please tell me if I can make calls using Google voice on my Motorola Xoom tablet.
Thank you
Sorry to say Naomi, I have no information about this. Probably someone on Gtricks Forum can help you. Ask your question there.
no Im a different user and cannot sign in to my gmail because of your app. Why would I want an open email account on someone elese and have my email xsposed???????? After sending this request, you want me to write from my account when I can’t access it because of the stupid app on someone else’s computer.
Hello Barbara,
Always remember to sign out, instead of closing the tab/window when using someone else’s computer.
I need to get into my gmail account instead of my dads
Please use the method in the article to switch between accounts.
I can’t sign in to my gmail account.Needs verification.
What verification is it asking?
EVERY ACCOUNT IS NOT MEANT TO BE LINKED UP !!!!
TIME IS WASTED HAVING TO SIGN OUT JUST TO CHECK ANOTHER ACCOUNT NOT MEANT TO BE LINKED UP !!!!!
PURE FRUSTRATION WHEN ONE ACCOUNT IS CHECKED AND THEN LATER REVEALED THAT GOOGLE CHROME LINKED THE D**M ACCOUNT TO OTHER ACCOUNTS !!!!
TIME IS WASTED OPENING SEVERAL BROWSERS JUST TO CHECK ANOTHER ACCOUNT !!!!!!
I am trying to sign in on my gmail account and this is what it tells me:
Add Gmail to your Google Account
That username is taken. Try another.
Available: donnahebert644shannonabear279abearshannon9
By completing this form, you’re upgrading to Gmail, email from Google. Gmail works on any device, blocks spam, and much more.
You’ll be able to sign in using your new Gmail address, which will become the primary email address associated with this account. We’ll send account updates, invitations, and other notifications to your Gmail address.
heartsong77@hotmail.com will become an alternate email address on this account, and you’ll still be able to sign in with it.
If you prefer, you can create a new Google Account with email, and leave this one as-is. When I enter my email address: Donnahebert177@gmail.com it tells me this is already used. Well, hello, that’s because it’s my email address and I’m trying to sign in. Please help, but reply to mabear177@hotmail.com. I hardly ever sign into gmail, sp please help!
I am so frustrated with gmail … can not sign in with another gmail account on my computer!!!!!
gmail is awful….. can not sign in nothing but ads and stuff that is not needed … if I want to check my prvacy setting I should be able to chose and not be forced and can not get into my e-mails …. this is a night mare … who ever designed this horrible find a new profession …. Hotmail is so much easier so is yahoo
can’t stand it
I am so stressed been trying to get in for 2 hours now!!!
This is unreal
can NOT NOT NOT ……………… CAN NOT sign in to my e mails!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why Why Why Why is it so difficult … all I want to do is get into my account!
show me how to sign into a DIFFERENT gmail account… arrrrgggghhhh
what a bunch of crap!!will drop you and go to yahoo
You make it hard to sign in to a second account, WHY!
I want to sign out of one gmail account to access another gmail account. I do not want both accounts viewable when I log on. I do not want to link my two accounts. What is my solution?
I opened three more account gmail now I wants open third gmail
I want to sign in on another tablet/computer but I am Not adding my acct to anyone’s computer/tablet. I used to be able to do this on my moms computer.& check my mail etc… Then log out. She’d stay signed in, I’d just log in with a different user name & .pw. This is ridiculous. I’m going to switch to yahoo with several accts. I don’t have trouble with them if this cannot be remedied immediately.
Can’t find it and can’t login
These methods do not work at all. The first method leads you right back to the original sign in page and the second method well there is no add/remove account option. I hate you Google.
Please don’t force smooth scrolling on your users, personally it makes me dizzy.
Good security