Gmail sync issues can be incredibly frustrating for the billions of users worldwide who rely on Google’s email service across their devices.
If the Gmail app fails to sync properly, you may suddenly find yourself unable to send or receive new emails, access your inbox, or view your contacts.
How to Fix Gmail Sync Issues on Android
If your Gmail is not syncing properly on Android, there are a few things to check:
Most Gmail sync failures are temporary glitches that resolve in minutes. But some require simple troubleshooting steps to get your valuable data flowing seamlessly again.
Tinkering with your Gmail app’s settings, restarting your device, and clearing cached data often does the trick. Server outages on Google’s end can also disrupt synchronization.
Total Time: 4 minutes
Check Gmail app sync settings
Open the Gmail app on your Android device, go to Settings > your account > Sync Gmail. Make sure sync is enabled.
Confirm background data is on
Go to Settings > Connection & sharing > Data Usage. Ensure “Allow background data usage” is enabled. This allows Gmail to sync in the background.
Check account permissions
Go to Settings > Accounts > Google. Check Gmail has permission to access Contacts, Calendar and other data. Tap Permissions and enable all.
Force stop the Gmail app
In your Settings go to Apps > Gmail > Force Stop. Then start the Gmail app again and check if sync works.
Clear Gmail app cache and data
In the Apps section, select Gmail > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. This resets the app which can fix sync issues.
Restart your Android device
Simply powering off your phone and restarting it can sometimes resolve intermittent Gmail sync problems.
Remove and re-add your Google account
Go to Settings > Accounts > Google and remove your account. Then add it again and re-sync Gmail.
An ominous “sync is currently experiencing problems” error may even appear.
Don’t worry if your Gmail stops syncing – in most cases it’s an easy fix. This guide will walk you through the common causes and solutions for Gmail sync problems on Android, iPhone, and desktop.
We’ll also provide tips to avoid sync headaches going forward. With a bit of troubleshooting knowledge, you can get your contacts, emails, and calendar seamlessly updating across devices once again.
Common Gmail Sync Issues
There are a few common syncing issues that can occur with Gmail:
- Gmail not syncing with Android – New emails aren’t showing up on your Android phone or tablet even though they arrive in your Gmail inbox.
- Gmail sync not working iPhone – Same deal but for iPhone and iPad users. Your Gmail inbox isn’t updating on iOS devices.
- Gmail contacts not syncing with phone – Your Gmail contacts aren’t appearing on your phone.
- Gmail calendar not syncing with iPhone – Gmail calendar events aren’t showing up on your iPhone calendar app.
- Gmail sync issues iPhone – General sync problems like inbox not updating on iPhone.
- Gmail not syncing between devices – Gmail inbox and data like contacts aren’t syncing across your computer, phone, tablet etc.
These are common syncing problems users report with Gmail services. Often it’s an app specific issue, but can also be account or server side. Don’t worry, we’ll go through how to troubleshoot each scenario.
Third-party Apps that help with Gmail Sync Problems
Yes, there are several third-party tools and apps that can help with Gmail sync issues.
- CloudMagic (Newton Mail): CloudMagic is a popular email client that supports multiple email providers, including Gmail. It offers reliable sync capabilities and a user-friendly interface.
- Blue Mail: Blue Mail is another email client that supports Gmail and provides robust sync features. It allows you to manage multiple email accounts and offers customizable push notifications.
- Nine: Nine is an email app designed for business users. It provides a secure and reliable sync experience for Gmail accounts, along with features like calendar integration and contact management.
- MailDroid: MailDroid is an email client that supports various email providers, including Gmail. It offers a clean and intuitive interface, reliable sync capabilities, and customizable settings.
- AquaMail: AquaMail is a feature-rich email app that supports Gmail and other email services. It provides reliable sync, smart folders, and a customizable user interface.
- Outlook: Microsoft Outlook is a well-known email client that integrates well with Gmail. It offers reliable sync, calendar and contact management, and a familiar interface for users accustomed to Microsoft products.
- TypeApp: TypeApp is an email client that supports Gmail and offers a clutter-free interface. It provides reliable sync, smart notifications, and the ability to manage multiple email accounts.
Before installing any third-party app, make sure to read user reviews and check the app’s privacy policy to ensure the security of your email data. Additionally, keep in mind that using a third-party app may require you to grant certain permissions and access to your Gmail account.
If you prefer to stick with the official Gmail app, regularly updating it to the latest version and following the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the previous response should help resolve most sync issues.
Specific Settings to Troubleshoot Gmail Sync Issues
Yes, there are specific sync settings that users should check to fix Gmail sync errors.
Sync settings in the Gmail app
- Open the Gmail app on your device.
- Go to Settings > your Gmail account.
- Make sure that the “Sync Gmail” option is enabled.
- If you have multiple Gmail accounts, ensure that sync is enabled for each account.
Days of mail to sync
- In the Gmail app, go to Settings > your Gmail account.
- Tap on “Days of mail to sync.”
- Select the number of days you want to sync emails for (e.g., 30 days or All).
- Choosing a longer sync period may help resolve issues related to missing emails.
Sync frequency
- In the Gmail app, go to Settings > your Gmail account.
- Tap on “Sync frequency.”
- Choose the desired sync frequency (e.g., As items arrive, Every 15 minutes, Every hour).
- Selecting a more frequent sync option can help keep your emails up to date.
Auto-sync settings:
- Go to your device’s Settings > Accounts.
- Find your Gmail account and make sure that the “Auto-sync” option is enabled.
- If auto-sync is turned off, your device may not sync emails and other data automatically.
Background data
- Go to your device’s Settings > Apps & notifications > Gmail.
- Tap on “Mobile data & Wi-Fi.”
- Ensure that the “Background data” option is enabled.
- Allowing background data usage permits Gmail to sync emails even when the app is not actively running.
Battery optimization:
- Go to your device’s Settings > Apps & notifications > Gmail.
- Tap on “Advanced” and then “Battery optimization.”
- Make sure that Gmail is not optimized for battery saving, as this can interfere with sync processes.
- Select “Don’t optimize” or “All apps” to exclude Gmail from battery optimization.
By checking these specific sync settings and ensuring they are configured correctly, users can often resolve Gmail sync issues. If the problems persist after verifying these settings, users can proceed with other troubleshooting steps, such as updating the app, clearing app data and cache, or contacting Gmail support for further assistance.
Fixing Gmail Sync on iPhone
Many users also report Gmail sync not working iPhone. Here are some top fixes:
- Check iPhone Gmail settings – Open the Gmail app > tap your profile icon > Settings > account name. Ensure Mail sync is enabled under Account, and background app refresh is on.
- Force quit the Gmail app – Double tap the Home button and swipe up on the Gmail app to force quit it. Open Gmail again to see if sync works properly.
- Update your iPhone Gmail app – Your Gmail app may be outdated with bugs. Open the App Store, go to Updates and install any pending Gmail app updates.
- Disable then re-enable Gmail account – Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > your account under Accounts. Turn the account off then on again.
- Restart your iPhone – As with Android, sometimes a simple restart can resolve intermittent Gmail problems.
- Reset iPhone network settings – Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This fixes any network related issues.
- Check Apple services status – Sometimes issues with Apple services can disrupt Gmail. Visit Apple’s system status page to see any issues.
With one of those fixes, you should be able to get Gmail sync functioning normally again on your iPhone or iPad. Be sure to test Gmail in a web browser too.
Troubleshooting Gmail Sync on Desktop
Gmail sync issues can also happen on your Windows PC, Mac or when accessing Gmail through the web. Here are some desktop specific troubleshooting tips:
- Check Gmail settings – In the Gmail web interface click the gear icon > See all settings > Accounts and Import tab. Under “Check mail from other accounts:” ensure options are enabled.
- Set up mail forwarding – Forwarding your Gmail to another account and back again can force a resync. Do this temporarily under Settings > Forwarding.
- Use a different browser – Try accessing Gmail in different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari. This isolates browser issues.
- Clear your browser cache/cookies – Your browser data may be outdated and cause sync problems. Clear this data to eliminate any discrepancies.
- Restart your computer – As with mobile devices, a simple restart can fix quirky issues with desktop Gmail sync.
- Check Gmail Status dashboard – Google provides a dashboard if any major outages are disrupting Gmail for users worldwide.
With a bit of diligence, you should be able to resolve most Gmail sync stopped working issues on desktop using one of these fixes.
Why Does Gmail Sync Stop Working?
There are a few common reasons why Gmail synchronization can stop functioning properly:
- App issues like updates or cache problems
- Account or permission problems
- Background sync disabled
- Server side disruptions at Google
- Conflicts with device settings or other apps
- Outdated browsers and browser data
- General software bugs or glitches
Luckily, Gmail sync problems are usually easily fixed once you isolate the cause and apply the right troubleshooting steps.
Preventing Gmail Sync Problems
To help avoid Gmail sync headaches in the future, here are some tips:
- Keep your Gmail apps updated on all devices
- Don’t let your phone or tablet storage get too full
- Periodically clear the cache and data for Gmail
- Make sure background data and auto-sync are always enabled
- Double check sync settings after major app or OS updates
- Always ensure proper account permissions are enabled
- Test Gmail across devices and browsers occasionally
Conclusion
With over 1 billion active users, Gmail is one of the most relied upon email platforms worldwide. However, sync issues can and do occur due to a myriad of reasons.
The good news is that in most cases, Gmail sync failures can be quickly resolved by following the right troubleshooting steps for your device and browser.
We hope this guide gives you everything you need to get Gmail sync functioning properly again across all your devices.
Just work through the suggested fixes until your invaluable Gmail data is seamlessly up to date across Android, iOS, desktop and web.
