If Google keeps logging you out, won’t stay signed in, or “forgets” you between tabs, it’s almost always a cookies-and-site-data problem (or something blocking them). This guide starts with the quickest mobile checks, then moves to Mac steps you can do safely.
Most fixes take under 5 minutes, and you don’t need to delete everything.
Before you begin: if you’re using multiple Google accounts, make sure you’re signing into the right one. A wrong account can look like “it logged me out.”
1. Mobile first: turn off “private” modes and cookie blockers (quick sanity check)
On your phone, open the browser you’re using for Google (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) and check these basics:
- Private/Incognito mode: it won’t keep cookies after you close tabs.
- Content blockers / tracking protection: aggressive settings can block sign-in cookies.
- “Clear on exit” settings: some browsers wipe cookies automatically when you close the app.
If you changed any of those, fully quit the browser app and reopen it, then sign in again.
2. Mobile first: test in a clean session (one tab, one account)
Cookie problems can be masked by too many open sessions.
- Close all tabs.
- Open a single new tab and go to Google.
- Sign in once, then wait 30 seconds and refresh.
If it works in this “clean” flow, the issue is usually a conflicting tab, an extension/add-on, or cross-site tracking settings (especially on Safari/iOS).
3. Mobile first: try switching networks (it sounds unrelated, but helps)
Some Wi‑Fi networks (school/work/public) filter or rewrite traffic in ways that can break login cookies.
- Try cellular data for one sign-in attempt.
- Or switch to a different Wi‑Fi network.
- If you use a VPN/ad-blocking DNS, pause it briefly and test.
If switching networks fixes it, keep reading the Mac steps—your Mac may be using the same VPN/DNS or a similar filtered network.
4. Mac: confirm cookies aren’t being blocked (Chrome settings)
On Mac, cookie issues are commonly caused by Chrome privacy settings or “clear data on exit” behavior.
- Open Chrome and go to Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies.
- If it’s set to Block third-party cookies, try Allow third-party cookies temporarily to test sign-in stability.
- Also check for anything like Clear browsing data on exit (if enabled, it will wipe sign-in cookies).
If you don’t want to allow third-party cookies globally, the safer approach is adding a site exception (next step).
5. Mac: add “Allow cookies” exceptions for Google sign-in domains
Google sign-in often involves multiple related domains. If any are blocked, you can get bounce-back logouts.
- In Chrome, go to Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies.
- Under Sites allowed to use third-party cookies (or exceptions), add these common domains:
- accounts.google.com
- google.com (and your local variant like google.co.uk if relevant)
Then restart Chrome and try signing in again.
6. Mac: clear cookies for Google only (not your whole browser)
Clearing everything is overkill. A targeted reset is usually enough.
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies → See all site data and permissions (wording may vary).
- Search for google and remove site data for Google-related entries.
- Close all Google tabs, then sign in again.
Tip: you may be signed out of Gmail/YouTube/Drive on that browser profile after this. That’s expected.
7. Mac: check extensions that commonly break cookies
Ad blockers and privacy tools can block the exact cookies Google uses to keep sessions.
- Temporarily disable extensions (especially ad blockers, anti-tracking, “cookie auto-delete,” and script blockers).
- Restart Chrome and test sign-in.
- If that fixes it, re-enable extensions one by one until you find the culprit.
If you need the extension, look for its per-site allowlist and add Google sign-in pages.
8. Mac: verify date/time and macOS privacy settings (quick but important)
If your Mac’s clock is off, secure sign-in cookies can fail immediately.
- macOS: System Settings → General → Date & Time → enable Set time and date automatically.
- If you use iCloud Private Relay, VPN, or a security app, pause it briefly and test.
This step looks unrelated, but it’s a common cause of “sign in succeeds, then instantly logs out.”
Final thoughts
When Google won’t remember you, the fastest path is: mobile private-mode/blocker check → targeted cookie reset → Mac cookie exceptions and extension checks. You’ll usually find one setting that’s silently wiping or blocking cookies.
If none of the steps change anything, try a different Chrome profile (or a different browser) to confirm whether it’s browser data vs. network/account-related.