Fix account sync issues

If your phone is having problems syncing with your Google Account, you could see a message, "Sync is currently experiencing problems. It will be back shortly." or a Sync issue icon .

Most sync issues are temporary. Usually, your account will sync again after a few minutes. But if you keep having sync issues, try the following solutions.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Manually sync your Google Account

  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Tap About And then Google Account And then Account sync.
    • If you have more than one account on your device, tap the one you want to sync.
  3. Tap More And then Sync now.

Try common sync solutions

After each troubleshooting step below, try manually syncing to see whether sync works.

Troubleshoot with basic steps

Check that auto-sync is on

If you want sync to happen automatically, keep auto-sync turned on. Learn how to auto-sync your apps and accounts.

Make sure your internet connection works
Important: For sync to work, you need an internet connection.

To test your connection, open a browser (like Chrome or Firefox) and load a website. If the website doesn't load or you can't connect, learn about connecting to a Wi-Fi network or connecting to mobile data.

Check whether you're having account issues

Important: For sync to work, you need to be able to sign in to your Google Account.

Make sure that you can sign in to your Google Account in other ways and on another device. For example, try checking your Gmail using your computer's browser.

Check for Android updates
  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Near the bottom, tap System and then System update.
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ If needed, first tap About phone or About tablet.
  3. When the update status appears on your screen, follow the steps.

Troubleshoot with advanced steps

Force sync your account

Option 1: Change date & time settings

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap System And then Date & time.
  3. Turn off Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
  4. Manually change the date and time so that both are wrong.
  5. Go to your Home screen. Learn how to get around on your phone.
  6. Open your phone's Settings app And then System And then Date & time again.
  7. Manually change the date and time so that both are right again.
  8. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.

Option 2: Force sync using Phone app (phones only)

  1. Open your phone's Phone app.
  2. Tap the Keypad .
  3. Dial *#*# CHECKIN #*#* (*#*#2432546#*#*).
  4. You'll see a notification that says "Checkin succeeded." This message shows your phone was able to sync. If you don't see a notification right away, tap the green Phone .
Clear cache & data

Step 1: Back up contacts

  1. Open your phone's Contacts app.
  2. Tap Menu  And then Settings.
  3. Under "Manage contacts," tap Export.
  4. Pick a location, like your Drive.
  5. Tap Save.

Step 2: Clear cached data

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps And then Contacts And then Storage & cache.
  3. Tap Clear cache .

Step 3: Restore contacts

  1. Open your phone's Contacts app.
  2. Tap Menu  And then Settings.
  3. Tap Import And then .vcf file And then OK.
  4. Pick the .vcf file that you exported.

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