Can’t figure out why your Gmail account is not syncing?
Besides being accessible on any web browser, Gmail also has a dedicated app for mobile devices. This allows you to access emails on the go no matter where you are located as long as you have an internet connection.
The Gmail app also has other neat features such as automatic sync, allowing you to receive notifications for new emails without opening the app.
However, this feature doesn’t work all the time and could get affected depending on your configurations.
Usually, Gmail not syncing is caused by improper device configurations. You may have turned on your phone’s battery saver, which stops background data usage. On the other hand, it can also be due to slow network connections, faulty servers, or outdated app versions.
To help you out, we’ve decided to make a guide for fixing Gmail if it’s not syncing on your device.
Let’s get started!
1. Check Gmail’s Status.
Before changing your device configurations, the first thing you should check when Gmail is not syncing on your device is the platform’s status. If the app is not working, Google’s team could be performing maintenance, or unexpected issues have occurred on the app.
To check Gmail’s status, visit Google Workspace status page and see if there’s a problem with their services.
If Gmail is currently down, the only thing you can do is wait for their team to address the issue. On the other hand, you can proceed to the next solution below to start troubleshooting the problem if there’s nothing wrong with the servers.
2. Restart Your Device.
A temporary bug or glitch may have occurred on your device, causing background applications and data to malfunction. To rule this out, reboot your system to reload its resources and eliminate any errors.
For Android users, follow the guide below to restart your device:
- First, locate the Power button on your device.
- Next, hold it down until the selection menu appears.
- Lastly, tap on Restart to reboot your system.
If you’re using an iOS device, here’s how you can restart it:
- On your screen, open the Assistive Touch and go to the Device tab.
- Now, tap on More.
- Finally, choose Restart and wait for your system to reboot.
Once done, reconnect to your network and see if Gmail will now sync.
3. Check Your Device Settings.
One of the most common reasons Gmail is not syncing automatically on your device is if your configurations are not set correctly. Most operating systems today let you control how applications behave, and the sync settings for Gmail might be disabled.
For Android users, here’s what you need to do:
- First, access the Settings on your device and open the Accounts tab.
- After that, select the Gmail Account you want to change.
- Lastly, tap on Account Sync and ensure that Gmail is enabled.
If you’re using an iOS device, check out the steps below to guide you on the process:
- On your device, go to the Settings.
- Now, scroll down and tap on Gmail.
- Finally, turn on Background App Refresh.
Go back to Gmail afterward and see if the problem is solved.
4. Check Your Network Connection.
A slow internet connection could also be why Gmail is not syncing on your device. Since you’re using an online service, you need to have a stable network to enjoy Gmail’s features without issues.
To check if your network is the culprit, run a test using Fast.com to measure your connection’s upload and download bandwidth.
If the result indicates that your connection is the problem, reboot your router or modem to re-establish the link with your service provider. Unplug your router from the outlet and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before reconnecting it.
Once done, perform another test to check if the problem is solved. If not, contact your ISP and ask them to fix the issue.
5. Turn Off Battery Saver.
If you use a battery saver on your mobile device, we advise turning it off if Gmail is not syncing automatically. Battery savers restrict background data usage of applications, which explains why Gmail and other apps are not syncing.
For Android devices, the switch for battery saver may vary depending on the manufacturer. However, most of them would be accessible from the Control Center. Simply swipe downwards from the top of your display to access it.
On iOS, the battery saver feature can be accessed from the settings. Navigate to Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode.
Go back to Gmail afterward and check if new emails are coming in.
6. Update Gmail.
Google releases timely updates on its applications to ensure that everything’s in order. Updates also include patches to address issues from the previous version. If Gmail is not syncing automatically, try updating the app to fix underlying bugs and glitches.
For Android users, you can update Gmail by doing the following:
- On your app drawer, tap on the Play Store to launch it.
- Now, go to your Profile and choose Manage Apps & Device.
- Access the Updates Available tab afterward and locate Gmail.
- Finally, hit the Update button next to Gmail to install the latest version.
If you’re using an iOS device, here’s how you can update Gmail:
- First, launch the App Store on your device.
- After that, go to your Profile.
- Lastly, look for Gmail and hit the Update button.
After updating the app, go back to your account to check if the problem is solved.
7. Update Your Device.
If updating the app was not enough, we suggest updating your device if Gmail is still not syncing automatically. There might be a problem with your system, preventing background services from running.
On Android devices, see the steps below to update your system:
- From your app drawer, tap on the Settings app to launch it.
- Next, go to About or About Phone.
- Lastly, tap on Software Updates and follow the prompts to continue.
If you’re using an iOS device, you can update its system by doing the following:
- On your device, go to the Settings and access the General tab.
- After that, tap on the Software Update tab.
- Finally, choose Download and Install if there’s a newer version available.
After updating your device, go back to Gmail to check if your emails are now syncing.
8. Reinstall Gmail.
Gmail’s installation files on your system may have gotten severely corrupted, and the update can no longer fix it. If this is the case, we suggest that you reinstall the app on your device to ensure that you have the latest working copy of the app.
See the steps below to reinstall Gmail on your mobile device:
- First, access your application drawer and locate Gmail.
- Next, press and hold its app icon until the selection menu appears.
- Lastly, choose Uninstall (Android) or Remove App (iOS) to delete the app.
Once done, go to the App Store or Play Store on your device and reinstall Gmail from there.
9. Report the Problem to Google.
If Gmail is still not syncing automatically on your device, it’s time that you let the experts handle the situation.
Go to Google’s Support page and contact their team to ask for assistance regarding the issue you’ve been experiencing. While waiting for a response, browse the other guides on their page and see if you can find alternative solutions.
That ends our guide for fixing Gmail if it’s not syncing automatically on your device. If you have questions or other concerns, leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to help.
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