Your Google Account is much more than an email address. It can be connected to Gmail, Google Photos, Drive, YouTube, Contacts and several other services containing personal information.

That is why leaving your account signed in on an old smartphone, laptop, tablet or another device can create a privacy risk—especially if the device has been sold, given away or is being used by someone else.

The good news is that Google provides a simple way to check which devices have access to your account. If you find a device you don't recognise, you can sign it out remotely.

How to Check Which Devices Have Your Google Account

You can check your account's active devices from either your smartphone or computer.

Follow these steps:

1. Open your Google Account.

2. Go to Manage your Google Account.

3. Select the Security section.

4. Scroll down until you find Your devices.

5. Tap or click Manage all devices.

You will now see a list of devices where your Google Account is currently signed in or has recently been used.

The list can include smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers and other devices associated with your account.

Don't Just Look at the Device Name

If you see an unfamiliar device, don't immediately assume that your account has been hacked. Sometimes an old device or a device with a different name may simply be difficult to identify.

You can select an individual device to view additional information. Depending on the device and account activity, Google may show details such as the device name, recent activity, last-used information and an approximate location.

These details can help you determine whether the device actually belongs to you.

Found an Unknown Device? Sign It Out

If you find a device that you don't recognise or no longer use, it's better to remove your account access.

Open that device from the list and choose the Sign out option. This will sign your Google Account out of that device remotely.

If you believe an unknown person may have accessed your account, don't stop there. Change your Google Account password immediately and make sure the new password is strong and isn't being used for another account.

Password Protection Alone Isn't Enough

A strong password is important, but you can make your Google Account considerably more secure by enabling 2-Step Verification.

With 2-Step Verification turned on, signing in requires an additional verification step beyond simply entering your password. This provides an extra layer of protection if your password is ever exposed.

Make Device Checks a Regular Habit

You don't have to wait until you suspect something is wrong to check your account's devices.

It's a good idea to occasionally review the Manage all devices section and remove access from smartphones, computers or tablets that you no longer use.

Keep Your Google Account Secure

Your Google Account may contain years of personal emails, photos, documents, contacts and other information. An old device left signed in can therefore become an unnecessary security risk.

Check your device list, sign out of anything unfamiliar, use a unique strong password and enable 2-Step Verification. These simple steps can significantly improve the security of your Google Account.