-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Gmail Account for Multiple Devices?
- Thread starter lexluthor
- Start date
-
- Tags
- b&n nookcolor
nj02vette
Android Expert
Nope, will work fine.
bucketheadmn
Well-Known Member
Works just fine. I have a Evo Shift and a NC that both are using the same gmail account.
I've had 4 phones (Samsung Behold II +refurb followed by a Droid Incredible +refurb), and probably a couple dozen factory resets/rom flashes/etc (each time you have to sign into your google account). And my NC. No problem.
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
As far as I know, you can add an unlimited amount of Android devices to the Google account you use for your current Android device. I have my Sprint HTC Hero and my B&N Nook Color on the same account with no ill effects. 
It makes syncing everything that much easier anyway. So, I would recommend it.
It makes syncing everything that much easier anyway. So, I would recommend it.
Can I ask why? What advantage does that have?
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
It is probably just a matter of preference. To each his or her own, I always say.
Be that as it may, I think you will find the majority of people use one Google account for all of their devices. There are definite advantages in that approach.
Timaphillips
Android Enthusiast
That's the beauty and biggest selling point of a Google account with Android. Back in my blackberry days, GMail management across multiple computers and handsets was a chore. Outlook, Web, Blackberry is a nasty concoction at best.
So yes, multiple android devices running Gmail is as easy as it gets. All of them synced all of the time and exactly the same.
So yes, multiple android devices running Gmail is as easy as it gets. All of them synced all of the time and exactly the same.
So what's the word on being able to use a google apps for your domain account as the primary account on the NC? There are more than a couple of guides that say it just won't work. It didn't work for me, but I don't know if wiping and switching to an @gmail is what fixed it or the wiping itself fixed it.
I'd prefer using my google apps account, but, on the other hand, I now have it working with a new @gmail account, so I'd rather not spend an hour wiping and resetting everything if I'm not sure it'll work.
I'd prefer using my google apps account, but, on the other hand, I now have it working with a new @gmail account, so I'd rather not spend an hour wiping and resetting everything if I'm not sure it'll work.
mariel9898
Lurker
Along the same lines (though I posted a new thread before seeing this) does anyone know if you can have certain apps on one device and others on another device? Last night several apps updated on my Droid 2 Global and my rooted Nook Color and now some apps that I didn't install on the phone are on there.
bucketheadmn
Well-Known Member
Looks like a recent Android updated caused this:
http://androidforums.com/nookcolor-...ing-about-market-two-devices.html#post2384466
bucketheadmn
Well-Known Member
As long as you use the same account you are able to installed paid apps on multiple devices.
I didn't know that. I thought that was something the iphone had over android. Did that recently change?
So, then back to my original question. My primary account on my phone is myname@mydomain.com, with mydomain being a google apps for your domain account.
I originally tried using that with my nook color and I got the problem where the market said "starting download". I wiped and then just used a new @gmail.com account to sign in as my primary and that worked.
Again, not sure if it was the wiping or the new account that fixed it.
Almost all of the NC rooting guides make it a point to note clearly that you MUST use an @gmail.com account as the primary account.
So, what's really correct here?
It might still be worth wiping the NC again and using the same account as my phone so I don't have to re-pay for some apps, but only if I know it will work.
bucketheadmn
Well-Known Member
Not sure of the gapps question as I use a gmail account. But you have been able to use the same account on multiple devices for a long time. As far as I can recall it has never been an advantage that iOS had.
Multiple people in the thread here have said they have one account and multiple devices, so not sure why you are not sure if it will work or not.
No, that's not what I'm questioning. I'm questioning whether I can use a google apps for your domain account as my primary account on the NC. It didn't work the first time I tried it and most of the guides specifically note that it won't work unless you use a gmail account.
I don't really want to spend the time wiping/restoring if I don't get confirmation that it will work.
I know the problem isn't using the same account on 2 devices.
Using a gapps account for android works, in general (on phones), so I'm not clear why it wouldn't work on the nc, but the guides say it doesn't.
Just personal preference I suppose. I have lots of gmail accounts, each for a specific function - one for phone, one for nook, one for personal, three for business, one for junk, etc. As far as advantage - well, I can check only one if I need just that. I can check em all if I want a ton of mail.
However, I have not yet downloaded a paid app. If I had lots of those, and wanted them on all my devices, i would probably go the single account route. Or make another account for apps!
LBPHeretic
Android Expert
The problem is that you would have to sign in with that one account FIRST on all of those devices. As far as I know you cannot add an account later on for apps.
Unfortunately, that means you would pretty much have to wipe all of those devices and then sign in with that one Google account for apps. I think this is how it works, at least at the present moment.
I believe you are right. But the separate accounts works for me. For instance, I have apps that I like to use on my NC but not on my Phone and vice versa. If I used the same account for both, I think Google would try to sync my apps between both devices.
bucketheadmn
Well-Known Member
Google does not try to syn my apps at all. Running 2.2 on a Evo Shift for now and stock rooted on NC. No syncing of apps at all.
Nope. Each device has a unique android id. Google doesn't see them as the same device. But if it works for you, good.
smartin737
Lurker
How should I set up Android Market on a second-in-the-family Android 2.1 tablet for my daughter, who doesn't have a G-mail acct of her own?
I already have one tablet and my wife's G2 phone set up on my G-mail account. I use Yahoo as my primary e-mail account, and the G-mail has only been used for family Picasa and for my Google Docs. We don't even use Google Calendar, but we may someday decide to switch over from Yahoo Calendar.
Looks like the "cons" of using the existing account would be issues with Google Calendar and contacts all being shared. The "pros" would be easier sharing of any paid apps, and I'll be able to easily see if she buys apps by checking the one G-Mail acct. Sound right?
Bonus question: daughter's turning 14 tomorrow, and while her sense of right-and-wrong is very strong for a teenager, I'd like to keep tabs on AT LEAST her app download activity (trust but verify
). Can GMarket be set up pre-paid-style or with a credit limit?
Thanks!
Steve
** After a week with no replies, I won't be checking back for an answer now, but I don't see a way to delete my post. **
I already have one tablet and my wife's G2 phone set up on my G-mail account. I use Yahoo as my primary e-mail account, and the G-mail has only been used for family Picasa and for my Google Docs. We don't even use Google Calendar, but we may someday decide to switch over from Yahoo Calendar.
Looks like the "cons" of using the existing account would be issues with Google Calendar and contacts all being shared. The "pros" would be easier sharing of any paid apps, and I'll be able to easily see if she buys apps by checking the one G-Mail acct. Sound right?
Bonus question: daughter's turning 14 tomorrow, and while her sense of right-and-wrong is very strong for a teenager, I'd like to keep tabs on AT LEAST her app download activity (trust but verify
Thanks!
Steve
** After a week with no replies, I won't be checking back for an answer now, but I don't see a way to delete my post. **