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 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.

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.

• If you can sign in, the issue is with your phone. Try the next solution.
• If you can't sign in, your account may have an issue. Get help signing in to your account.

Check for Android updates

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Near the bottom, tap System  Software 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

Remove & re-add your account

Follow these steps to remove and then re-add your account to your phone.

Force sync your account

Option 1: Change date & time settings

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

Step 3: Restore contacts

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

Related resources

• Sync your apps with your Google Account
• Sync passwords across your devices