How to change your default Google account on Android

A Google account is a great way to sync data across your Android devices. For example, if you picked up a budget Chromebook for work on the go, you’ll want to ensure that all your data stored in your Google account is easily accessible.

However, you may need to change your default Google account. This guide walks you through the steps and helps you avoid losing important data. However, if you’re setting up a new Android device, you can create a new Google account during this process. Follow these essential tips for setting up an Android phone, as your old data won’t sync in this scenario.

Why has my default Google account changed?

Although your default account on Android is likely the one you used during the initial setup, it may have changed when adding or removing accounts without you noticing. This practice can lead to confusion and mistakes during your day-to-day usage. For example, you might upload files to a different Google Drive or join an upcoming Meet call with your personal Google account instead of the work one.

To save yourself the embarrassment of joining meetings with your other quirky Google account names, here’s how to change the default Google account on your Android phone.

How to change the default Google account on Android

When dealing with multiple Google accounts on Android, you need to remove all the Google accounts from your phone but the one you want to set as the default. It can be a cumbersome experience as you may need to add these accounts again later. Follow the steps below to remove other Google accounts.

The steps and screenshots below use Samsung One UI 4.0 for demonstration. Your Android phone’s settings app may look slightly different, but the overall gist is the same. If you cannot find a setting, the search bar in the app is your best friend.

Removing an account deletes all synced data like messages, bookmarks, contacts, browsing history, calendar, and other Google services data from the device. If you stored important information in the other accounts, sync them first. Go to Settings > Passwords & accounts > Email > Account sync and toggle on every option. Once enabled, give it time to sync, preferably a couple of hours.

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Google.

   

   

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3. Tap the right arrow beside your Google account.
4. Select Manage accounts on this device from the pop-up menu.

   

   

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5. It lists all the accounts on your phone. Tap the Google account you want to remove.

   

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6. Tap Remove account twice.

   

   

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7. Repeat the same steps for each Google account and leave the one you want to set as the default.

Once you remove all other Google accounts, Android sets the only Google account left on your phone as the default. To test this, open any Google app on your phone, and you should see a new default account in the upper-right corner.

How to re-add Google accounts to your phone

You may want to add the discarded accounts again. Android adds these accounts as secondary, and they won’t interfere with the default Google account on the phone.

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Google.
3. Tap the arrow on the right of the account name and email address.
4. Tap Add another account from the pop-up window.

   

   

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5. Verify your identity using a fingerprint, pattern, or PIN.
6. Enter the desired Google account’s email address and tap Next.
7. Type the password in the following menu and tap the Next button.

   

   

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If you set up 2FA (two-factor authentication), you may need to enter the code from your authenticator app or the text message. Once signed in, the account appears on your phone.

Changing your default account is time-consuming but useful

Whether you use one or multiple Google accounts, we recommend using an alternative service for managing your passwords. This means you don’t have to worry about losing your passwords when changing accounts. However, you’ll need to ensure you choose a secure service, so we collected the best password managers on Android to save you the work.