For those residing in busy neighborhoods, it’s common to double-check that all doors are locked before heading to bed. Transferring that mindset to your online life is equally crucial—ensuring your vital accounts are well-protected.
To that end, it’s a smart practice to periodically review the devices linked to your Google account. If someone has gained unauthorized access to your account, they could potentially access sensitive materials such as your emails, photos, and videos. It’s not just random hackers to be wary of; a close friend, family member, or even a partner might exploit that access. Therefore, it’s imperative to ensure that only trusted individuals can view your information.
You can easily check what devices are signed into your Google account from either a PC or your mobile phone. If you identify any unauthorized devices, remove them immediately and update your password to secure your account against future breaches.
Checking Devices on a PC
The quickest way to check which devices are linked to your account is to visit google.com/devices directly. Alternatively, you may follow these manual steps:
- Open any Google service page, such as Gmail or Google Search.
- Click on your profile picture in the upper-right corner of the browser.
- Select Manage your Google Account.
- Navigate to the Security section from the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to Your devices.
- Click on Manage all devices.
Review the devices that have access to your account. If you spot any that you don’t recognize, select them and click the Sign out option at the top of the details page.
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Checking Devices in the Google App
- Open the Google app on your Android or iOS device.
- Tap your profile icon located in the top right corner.
- Select Manage your Google Account.
- Navigate to the Security tab at the top.
- Scroll down to find Your devices.
- Tap Manage all devices.
Carefully examine the list of devices associated with your account. If one seems suspicious, tap on it for more information. To revoke access, simply select the Sign out option located at the top of the device’s details.
Review Your Linked Apps and Services
While keeping an eye on unfamiliar devices is critical for your Google account, you should also consider the third-party apps linked to it. Outdated or unused applications may become targets for hackers who can exploit the permissions you’ve granted.
Moreover, hackers could gain access to abandoned Google accounts—such as those from a closed business—and reactivate them to gain entry into connected third-party services. To mitigate these risks, it’s wise to regularly clean up any old apps linked to your Google account. Check out our quick guide for effective steps to remove those forgotten applications.
