How To Change Default Google Account On Desktop And Mobile (Easy Guide)

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5 min. read

Published on October 2, 2025

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Managing multiple Google accounts can be a real productivity booster, but it can also be a bit of a juggling act. One common frustration is having the wrong account set as the default, leading to accidental logins or sharing from an unintended profile. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to change your default Google account on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring you’re always using the right profile for the task at hand.

Whether you’re switching between personal and work accounts, or simply prefer one account over another, setting the correct default is essential. This ensures that when you open a Google service like Gmail, YouTube, or Google Drive, you’re automatically logged in with the account you intend to use. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process.

How Do I Change My Default Google Account?

Changing Your Default Google Account on Desktop

Switching your default Google account on a desktop computer is a straightforward process. Here’s how:

Sign Out of All Google Accounts: Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and go to any Google service, such as Gmail or Google.com. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select “Sign out of all accounts.” This is a crucial step; otherwise, Google will default to the last account you used.
Sign In to Your Preferred Default Account: After signing out, sign back in to the Google account you want to use as your default. Make sure this is the first account you sign in with.
Sign In to Other Accounts (Optional): Once your preferred default account is logged in, you can sign in to your other Google accounts. The first account you signed in with will remain the default.

Changing Your Default Google Account on Android

On Android devices, the process is slightly different, as your Google account is deeply integrated into the operating system.

Remove All Other Google Accounts (Except the Default): Go to your device’s Settings app. Navigate to “Accounts” or “Users & accounts” (the exact wording may vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer).
Select a Google Account to Remove: Tap on each Google account you don’t want as your default and select “Remove account.” Confirm the removal.
Keep Your Desired Default Account: Ensure the Google account you want as your default remains on the device.
Add Back Other Accounts (Optional): After removing the other accounts, you can add them back by going to “Add account” and selecting “Google.” Follow the prompts to sign in to each account. The account that remains after you remove the others will be the default.

Changing Your Default Google Account on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Changing the default account on iOS devices requires managing the accounts within individual Google apps.

Sign Out of All Accounts Within Each Google App: Open each Google app (Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, etc.) individually. Tap on your profile picture and select “Manage accounts on this device.” Then, select “Remove from this device” for all accounts.
Sign In To the Desired Default Account First: Open the Google app you use most frequently (e.g., Gmail). Sign in to the Google account you want to be the default.
Sign In to Other Accounts (Optional): Open the other Google apps and sign in to your other Google accounts. The first account you signed in with in any Google App, will be the default account for the device.

Tips for Managing Multiple Google Accounts

Use Separate Browsers or Browser Profiles: Consider using different web browsers (e.g., Chrome and Firefox) or creating separate browser profiles within Chrome to keep your accounts completely isolated.
Use a Password Manager: A password manager can help you securely store and manage your passwords for multiple Google accounts, making it easier to switch between them.
Regularly Review Account Permissions: Periodically review the permissions you’ve granted to third-party apps and websites for each of your Google accounts to ensure your data is protected.

Selecting the right Google account

Changing your default Google account on desktop and mobile devices is a simple process that can save you time and prevent confusion. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that you’re always using the correct account for your online activities.

FAQ

How do I know which Google account is currently set as my default? On desktop, the first account you are logged into is your default. On mobile, the account that is not removed will be the default.

Will changing my default Google account affect my data? No, changing your default Google account will not affect your data. Your data is stored within each individual account.

Can I have different default Google accounts on different devices? Yes, you can set different default Google accounts on your desktop, Android, and iOS devices.

What happens if I forget to sign out of all accounts before changing the default? Google will likely default to the last account you used. It’s best to sign out of all accounts before signing back in to ensure the correct account is set as the default.

Is it possible to have no default Google account? No, at least one Google account must be logged in to use the Google services.