Where is the Accounts tab in Gmail?
The Accounts tab is in the Gmail settings under "Accounts and Import."
You’ll find it by clicking the gear icon → See all settings → then selecting the Accounts and Import tab. Honestly, this is the best place to handle anything related to multiple email addresses.
What’s happening with the Accounts tab in Gmail?
Google moved the import and send-as controls to a dedicated section in 2024.
You’re probably used to finding everything in the main Settings tab. Now, these tools live under Accounts and Import—a separate area Google created to keep setup tasks away from daily use. Makes sense, right?
How do I import mail from another account into Gmail?
Go to Settings → Accounts and Import → Import mail and contacts.
Once there, click Import mail and contacts. You’ll get a popup asking for the other account’s login details (or OAuth approval if it’s supported). Google walks you through the rest—just follow the prompts. Takes about two minutes in most cases.
How do I add an extra “Send mail as” address in Gmail?
Head to Settings → Accounts and Import → Send mail as → Add another email address.
Enter the address you want to use, then verify it. Google sends a confirmation code to that address—paste it in, and you’re set. Now you can switch between “From” addresses when composing emails. (Pro tip: Set one as default so you don’t accidentally reply from the wrong account.)
Can I check a non-Gmail inbox from inside Gmail?
Yes—use the “Check mail from other accounts (POP3)” option in Accounts and Import.
This pulls in messages from accounts that don’t support OAuth, like older Yahoo or corporate emails. Just add the account details, and Gmail will fetch the messages. Keep in mind, it only imports new mail—old messages stay put unless you manually forward them.
Why can’t I find the Accounts tab in the mobile Gmail app?
Mobile hides these settings under “Manage accounts on this device.”
On Android or iOS, tap your profile icon → Add another account. Then go to Settings → Manage accounts on this device. The import and send-as options are tucked away there. (Apple users: The iOS app layout changes every year, so if it’s not where you expect, check the latest update notes.)
How do I set up a default “Send mail as” identity?
Go to Settings → Accounts and Import → Send mail as → Make default.
Pick the address you want as your default, then click Make default. Now, when you hit reply, Gmail uses that address automatically—no more fumbling with the dropdown menu. (Unless you want to switch manually, of course.)
What’s the difference between “Import mail and contacts” and “Check mail from other accounts”?
Import mail and contacts brings in old messages; Check mail from other accounts fetches new ones.
Think of it like this: Import mail and contacts is for migrating an entire mailbox (including old emails) into Gmail. Check mail from other accounts is for ongoing access—it pulls in new messages as they arrive, but leaves the original mailbox untouched. Use the first option for a full transfer, the second for regular monitoring.
Why am I getting “Couldn’t open connection to server” when importing mail?
Your external account’s IMAP settings or firewall might be blocking the connection.
First, double-check that IMAP is enabled on the other account. Then, make sure your firewall isn’t blocking ports 993 (IMAP) or 465/587 (SMTP). Google’s support page has the exact settings for every major provider—bookmark it for future reference.
Can I automatically label imported mail in Gmail?
Yes—enable the “Also apply label” option when setting up the import.
During the import process, you’ll see a checkbox that says Also apply label. Tick it, then pick (or create) a label name. Now all imported messages get tagged automatically. Handy for keeping work and personal emails separate without extra sorting later.
How do I remove an imported account from Gmail?
Go to Settings → Accounts and Import → Check mail from other accounts → uncheck the box → Delete.
This stops Gmail from fetching new mail from that account, but it doesn’t delete the original messages. The imported ones stay in your inbox unless you archive or delete them manually. (Good to know if you’re cleaning up old setups.)
What’s the best way to handle corporate Gmail (Google Workspace) imports?
Use the Google Admin console to add alternate emails—it doesn’t import mail.
Sign in to the Admin console, go to Users → select the account → Account → Add alternate email. This lets the user sign in with the extra address, but it doesn’t pull in messages. For actual mail imports, stick with the regular Gmail settings.
Why should I use OAuth instead of POP3 for imports?
OAuth is more secure—it never asks for your password and keeps two-factor auth active.
POP3 requires you to enter the account password, which gets stored in plain text in some cases. OAuth uses tokens, so you never expose your credentials. Plus, it plays nicely with two-factor authentication. If the other provider supports it (most do these days), always choose OAuth.
How do I recover an old Gmail account that’s still receiving mail?
Go to Settings → Accounts and Import → Check mail from other accounts → uncheck the box → Delete.
This removes the POP fetch setup but leaves the original mailbox intact. If you want to reclaim the address later, just set up forwarding from the old account to a new one. That way, you won’t lose any important messages in the transition.
What should I do if the Accounts tab is missing entirely?
Make sure you’re signed in to the correct Google account—some features change based on permissions.
If you’re using a managed Google Workspace account, certain tabs might be hidden by admin settings. Try signing in with a personal account to see if the tab appears. If not, contact your IT team—they might need to adjust your access levels.
Is there a quick way to switch between imported accounts in Gmail?
Yes—use the dropdown next to your profile picture to switch identities.
When composing an email, click the “From” field dropdown. You’ll see all your verified “Send mail as” addresses. Pick one, and the email sends from that identity. (Tip: Set a default to save time, but always double-check before hitting send.)
Edited and fact-checked by the TechFactsHub editorial team.
