When Google sync stops on Android, it can look random: Gmail won’t refresh, new contacts don’t appear, or Calendar events never show up. The good news is most “sync not updating” problems come down to a few settings, battery restrictions, or a stuck sync queue.
Work through the steps below in order—stop once syncing resumes.
1. Confirm you’re signed into the right Google account
If you have multiple Google accounts (work + personal), it’s surprisingly easy to be looking at one account while the phone is syncing another.
- Open Settings → Passwords & accounts (or Accounts).
- Tap Google and check the email address shown.
- In Gmail/Contacts/Calendar, also verify the active account (usually from the profile icon).
2. Make sure “Auto-sync data” is enabled
This one setting can pause background syncing across Google apps.
- Go to Settings → Passwords & accounts (or Accounts).
- Turn on Automatically sync app data / Auto-sync data (wording varies).
- Then tap your Google account and ensure the specific toggles (Contacts, Calendar, etc.) are enabled.
3. Trigger a manual sync (and check which item is failing)
Manual sync both nudges the system and helps you spot what’s stuck (Contacts vs Calendar vs Gmail).
- Open Settings → Accounts → Google → select your account.
- Tap Account sync.
- Tap Sync now (menu button on some phones).
- Look for any service showing “Sync error” or an old “Last synced” time.
If only one service fails (for example, Calendar), the fix is often in that specific app (updates, storage, permissions) rather than your entire Google account.
4. Turn off Battery Saver and remove battery restrictions for Google apps
Battery features can delay or block background sync—especially on Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Pixel with aggressive battery rules.
- Disable Battery Saver temporarily.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Gmail (and also Google Calendar, Contacts).
- Open Battery and set to Unrestricted (or remove “Optimize battery usage” for these apps).
- Also check Background data / Allow background activity is enabled if available.
5. Check data restrictions: Data Saver, background data, and VPN
Sync can silently stall when Android (or a VPN) blocks background network access.
- Turn off Data Saver: Settings → Network & internet → Data Saver.
- On the same screen (or per-app), allow Unrestricted data for Gmail/Calendar/Contacts.
- If you use a VPN or Private DNS, disable it briefly and try syncing again.
- Try switching networks: Wi‑Fi → mobile data (or the reverse).
6. Clear cache for the syncing apps (and Google Play services if needed)
Clearing cache is a safe first reset that often fixes stuck queues without removing your account.
- Settings → Apps → Gmail → Storage → Clear cache.
- Repeat for Google Calendar and Contacts (or “Contacts Storage” on some phones).
- If sync is still stuck, clear cache for Google Play services as well (same path: Apps → Google Play services → Storage → Clear cache).
Avoid “Clear storage/data” unless you’re comfortable re-downloading app data and re-checking settings afterward.
7. Remove and re-add the Google account (last resort, but effective)
If the account token is corrupted, sync may fail across multiple services until the account is re-added.
- Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
- Select your account → Remove account.
- Restart the phone.
- Add it back: Settings → Accounts → Add account → Google.
Important: If this is your only Google account on the phone, removing it may affect some local data until the account is added back. Make sure you know the password and can receive 2-step verification codes.
Final thoughts
Most Android Google sync issues come from one of three things: auto-sync turned off, battery/data restrictions, or an app/services cache that needs a reset.
If nothing changes after step 7, check Google’s system status (for Gmail/Calendar) and your phone’s date/time settings—an incorrect clock can also break authentication and syncing.