Gmail's account-switching issue escalated for investigation

If you’ve been struggling to switch between your Gmail accounts on your mobile browser lately, you’re not alone. A growing number of users are reporting a frustrating glitch that’s making it nearly impossible to toggle between accounts or even sign out. The issue, which seems to have emerged recently, has left many trying to figure out what’s going on. The good news? The problem has been escalated to the Gmail team, and a fix may be on the horizon.

Picture this: You’re juggling multiple Gmail accounts — one for work, one for personal use, and maybe another for that side hustle you’re definitely going to start someday. You’re used to seamlessly switching between them using the handy dropdown menu on the Gmail web version. But suddenly, that dropdown menu has stopped working. You tap, you swipe, you even try the old “turn it off and on again” trick, but nothing happens.

This is the reality for some users who rely on mobile browsers like Safari or Firefox to access their Gmail accounts. The dropdown menu, which typically displays all logged-in accounts and offers a quick way to sign out, has become unresponsive. For some, the menu appears but doesn’t show any accounts beyond the default one. For others, it’s completely frozen, leaving them trapped in a single inbox with no escape route.

While the issue isn’t exclusive to iOS users, many reports point to the recent iOS 18.3 update as the potential trigger. Several iPhone users have noted that navigating Gmail has become a messy ordeal since the update. Some have found temporary relief by switching to the desktop version of Gmail on their mobile browsers, but let’s be real — nobody wants to pinch and zoom their way through emails forever.

Android users aren’t entirely off the hook either. Some have reported similar problems on Firefox and Chrome, suggesting that the issue might not be limited to Apple’s ecosystem. Heck, I don’t even have this drop-down arrow on my Android device using Chrome. However, the Gmail app itself is functioning fine, which has left many wondering why the web version is suddenly so broken.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Gmail users have tried everything short of sacrificing their old phones to the tech gods. Clearing cache and browsing history? Check. Restarting devices? Check. Logging out and back in? Check. Yet, the dropdown menu remains stubbornly uncooperative. Some users have resorted to using the Gmail app as a temporary workaround, but for those who prefer the simplicity of the web version, it’s a less-than-ideal solution.

The silver lining in this frustrating saga is that the issue has been officially escalated to the Gmail team. Product experts have acknowledged the problem, noting that multiple threads are popping up across forums and social media. While there’s no official timeline for a fix yet, the fact that it’s on Google’s radar is a promising sign.

In the meantime, users are encouraged to keep an eye out for updates. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could try accessing the desktop version of Gmail on your mobile browser — it’s not perfect, but it might get the job done until a proper fix rolls out.