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 iPhone and iPad, you can:

• Sync the Gmail app manually
• Update your Gmail app
• Restart your device
• Check your internet connection
• Turn on Background App Refresh
• Check your Gmail sync settings
• Check your Google Account storage

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

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

To fix temporary sync issues, restart your iPhone or iPad.

• Learn how to restart your iPhone
• Learn how to restart your iPad

To test your connection, open a website in a browser, such as Safari. If the website doesn't load or you can't connect:

• Learn how to connect your iPhone or iPad to Wi-Fi.
• Learn how to connect your iPhone or iPad to a cellular network.

To download emails when you’re not using the Gmail app:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
2. Tap General 👁 and then
   Background App Refresh.
3. Scroll to “Gmail.”
4. Turn on Background App Refresh for Gmail.

You can change the number of days of email the Gmail app syncs.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail app 👁 Image
   .
2. Tap Menu 👁 Image
   👁 and then
   Settings.
3. Under "General," tap Data usage 👁 and then
   Sync settings.
4. Set the number of days of email to sync.

• 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.

Related resources

• Change Gmail notifications
• Fix problems importing mail