Fix sync errors with the Gmail app

If you can’t sync your Gmail messages on your phone or tablet, follow the steps on this page. Common sync issues include:

• You can’t send messages.
• You can’t open or read email.
• You don’t get new message notifications.
• Your inbox doesn’t update.
• You get the error message “Account not synced.”
• The Gmail app is slow.

Resolve Gmail sign in & sync issues

• If you can’t sign in, learn why you can't sign in to your Google Account.
• If the Gmail app only gets new emails from Gmail and not other accounts, like Outlook or Yahoo, check for new emails on a computer. This helps confirm if the issue is specific to the app. If you don’t receive new emails on your computer, contact your email provider.

To fix sync issues in the Gmail app for Android, you can:

• Sync the Gmail app manually
• Update your Gmail app
• Restart your device
• Check your internet connection
• Check your Gmail sync settings
• Check your device sync settings
• Check your Google Account storage
• Clear device storage
• Clear your Gmail info

Sync the Gmail app manually

Important: It can take up to 15 minutes for Gmail to sync your messages. If you haven’t used your device for some time, it can take longer.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
2. In your inbox, from the top, swipe down.
   • A refresh icon displays on the screen briefly, then disappears.
3. Check your email for new messages.

Update your Gmail app

To get the latest fixes for the issues with emails, make sure you have the most recent version of the Gmail app.

Restart your device

To fix temporary sync issues, restart your phone or tablet. For restart instructions, get help from your device manufacturer.

Check your internet connection

To test your connection, open a website in a browser, such as Chrome. If the website doesn't load or you can't connect, learn how you can fix internet connection problems.

Check your Gmail sync settings

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
2. Tap Menu Settings.
3. Select your account.
4. Under “Data usage,” make sure the box next to "Sync Gmail" is checked.

Check your device sync settings

Important: Some of these steps differ based on your Android device. If the following steps don’t work, get help from your device manufacturer.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
2. Tap About phone Google Account Account sync.
   • If you have more than one account on your device, tap the one you want to sync.
3. Tap More Sync now.

Check your Google Account storage

• Your Google Account storage is shared across Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive. Other items like WhatsApp backups or Drive for Desktop syncs can also take up space.
• In Gmail, messages and attachments, such as items in your “Spam” and “Trash” take up space.
• When your Google Account reaches its storage limit:
  • You can’t send or receive messages.
  • Messages sent to you return to the sender.
• To clear up storage:
  • Delete large attachments: Go through your inbox and delete emails with large attachments you no longer need.
  • Empty Trash and Spam: Clear your emails in your “Trash” and “Spam” regularly.

Clear your device storage

If your device is low on storage space, the Gmail app doesn’t sync. To clear up space:

• Uninstall apps you don't use.
• Delete downloaded files.
• Move files from your phone or tablet to your computer.

Learn how to clear up space.

Clear your Gmail info

Important: Only proceed with these steps if the other troubleshooting steps fail because these steps can erase your:

• Message drafts
• Signature
• Ringtone
• Other settings

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps See All Apps Gmail.
3. Tap Storage & cache Clear storage.
4. Restart your device.

Related resources

• Change Gmail notifications
• Fix problems importing mail