Closing a Gmail tab is not the same as signing out. On a shared computer, finish the session deliberately and check for downloaded files or saved credentials that signing out does not remove.
Sign out before leaving
- Save or send any work you intend to keep.
- In Gmail on the computer, select your Google profile picture.
- Choose Sign out. If multiple accounts are signed in, Google may offer Sign out of all accounts.
- Confirm that the inbox no longer opens as an authenticated session.
- If you used guest or private browsing, close all windows belonging to that session.
Do not delete another person’s browser history or sessions indiscriminately. If you accidentally signed into their ordinary browser profile, remove only your own saved credentials or downloads as appropriate and explain any broader cleanup that may be needed.
Check what remains outside the session
A downloaded attachment can remain on the computer after logout. Review files you intentionally downloaded and avoid leaving sensitive copies behind. Private browsing is not a promise that downloaded files vanish when its window closes.
Do not save your password, set up browser synchronization, or create a passkey on a borrowed device unless you understand and intend the persistence involved. A guest browser session is preferable to adding your account permanently to someone else’s browser.
If you already left the computer
On your own device, open Google Account Security & sign-in → Your devices → Manage all devices. Select the relevant device or session and sign it out.
Google notes that a device can have multiple sessions. To remove the account’s access from that device, inspect and sign out each relevant session. Remote logout does not retrieve attachments already downloaded or erase copies someone made.
Choose a safer arrangement next time
Google recommends guest or private browsing when temporarily using a device that is not yours. Open it before signing in and close the complete session afterward. If the computer itself is untrusted, a private window does not make it safe to enter credentials; use a trusted device instead.
Official references
Reviewed against Google’s official guidance on October 27, 2026. Available options and screen labels can vary by account, device, region, and organization policy.