Sync your apps with your Google Account

You can manage how your apps sync messages, email, and other recent data in your Google Account.

Note: Some of these steps work only on Android 8.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

What sync does

When your device syncs, your Google apps refresh their data, and you get notifications about updates.

Which apps sync

By default, your apps made by Google automatically sync with your Google Account. You can turn auto-sync off or back on for individual apps made by Google. Whether other apps can sync varies by app.

See your Google apps that can auto-sync
  1. Open your device’s Settings app Settings app.
  2. Tap Users & accounts. If you have more than one account on your device, tap the one you want.
  3. Tap Account sync.
  4. See a list of your Google apps and when they last synced.
Check your other apps that could not sync

If an app doesn’t show in your device’s Settings app under Users & accounts, it isn’t a Google app and can’t auto-sync with your Google Account.

For these other apps, look in each app’s settings menu for an option to sign in or sync. Learn how to change app settings.

Turn off auto-sync

You can turn off automatic syncing for certain apps made by Google, or for your whole Google Account.

Turning off auto-sync can help save battery life. To start auto-sync again after your battery recharges, turn it back on.

Turn off auto-sync for certain Google apps
  1. Open your device’s Settings app Settings app.
  2. Tap Users & accounts. If you have more than one account on your device, tap the one you want.
  3. Tap Account sync.
  4. Turn off the apps you don't want to auto-sync.

Note: Turning off auto-sync for an app doesn't remove the app. It only stops the app from automatically refreshing your data.

Turn off auto-sync for your Google Account
  1. Open your device’s Settings app Settings app.
  2. Tap Users & accounts. 
  3. Turn off Automatically sync data.

Manually sync your account

Manual sync refreshes your account data for all your apps made by Google, including any with auto-sync turned off.

  1. Open your device’s Settings app Settings app.
  2. Tap Users & accounts. If you have more than one account on your device, tap the one you want.
  3. Tap Account sync.
  4. Tap More More and then Sync now.

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Amy

Amy is an Android expert and author of this help page. Leave her feedback below about the page.

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