Why has my email stopped syncing on my phone?

Work from the simplest checks toward account changes. First, confirm that the phone can reach the internet; if other apps also seem offline, resolve that connection issue and check email again. Next, see whether the problem is limited to one email account or affects every account in the app. Note when messages last arrived and whether the app displays an error or sign-in prompt.

The exact settings depend on your app and provider. For Gmail on Android, Google recommends checking the internet connection, Gmail’s sync setting for the selected account, device account-sync settings, and Google Account storage. Google also lists refreshing manually, updating Gmail, restarting the device, and checking device storage as possible checks.[S1] These instructions are specific to Gmail on Android; they do not establish the same menu steps for every email app.

Check both the Gmail app’s setting for the affected account and your phone’s account-sync settings. Menu names and locations can vary by Android version, so look for the sync controls associated with that specific Google account rather than changing settings for every account. You can also open Gmail and manually refresh, then check for an available Gmail update or restart the phone; Google includes these among its troubleshooting steps.[S1]

If only one account is affected, keep your checks focused on that account. Check whether the Google Account is full and whether the phone has available device storage: Google says a full Google Account can prevent sending and receiving email, and device storage can also prevent syncing.[S1] The guidance does not identify the cause from symptoms alone, so record what you find before making changes.

For Apple Mail on iPhone or iPad, first confirm internet access and check whether your email provider reports an outage. Apple recommends verifying the email address and password by signing in on the provider’s website. If a username or password error continues, Apple says to contact the provider or system administrator.[S2]

If you see a sign-in prompt, note its wording and which account it names. Use the provider’s website to check access; if you cannot sign in there, contact the provider through its normal support route. Apple’s instructions apply to its Mail app, not necessarily to other mail apps.[S2]

Don’t make removing the account your first move. Apple warns that changing or deleting account settings can remove previously downloaded mail from the device.[S2] Google likewise advises treating clearing Gmail storage as a later step because it can erase drafts and settings.[S1] The cited guidance does not establish that every reset will erase all mail, or that one particular fix will solve your problem. Before a consequential change, check with your provider or device administrator about its effect on your setup.

You can give support a concise report without sharing credentials:

“Mail app: [app name]. Phone: [model and operating system, if known]. Account affected: [account label]. Last successful sync: [approximate time]. Connection checked: [yes/no]. Error shown: [exact wording]. Checks completed: [list]. Sign-in works on provider website: [yes/no/not checked].”

Add whether other accounts sync and whether the issue began after a change. Those observations help support narrow the next steps; they don’t prove a particular cause.