Resolving 'Wrong Account Selected' Sign-in Error for Gmail in Airmail

Some Airmail users encounter a Wrong Account Selected message when adding a Gmail or Google Workspace account on macOS or iOS. The message typically appears after granting Google permissions and instructs the user to Select the account, sometimes prefilling a Google address that does not match the one they intended to add.

This article explains why the error occurs and how to resolve it.

Why this happens

The Wrong Account Selected message is generated by the Google sign-in flow when the OAuth callback returns a different Google identity than the one Airmail expected. The most common causes are:

• Safari (or the system web view) is signed into multiple Google accounts, and a different one is automatically chosen during the sign-in.
• - A previous OAuth authorisation for Airmail has expired, and the renewed sign-in is matched against a stale account record.
• - The Apple ID currently signed in on the device is different from the Apple ID that was used to add the account originally, in particular when restoring a backup on a new device.

In all cases, the Google account itself is working correctly. The issue is in matching the account between Google and Airmail.

How to resolve the error

Please follow these steps in order. In most cases, step 2 alone is sufficient.

1. Sign out of all extra Google accounts in Safari.
2. - Open Safari and go to accounts.google.com.
3. - Sign out from every Google account except the one you wish to use in Airmail.
4. - Quit and reopen Safari.
5. Remove the affected account from Airmail and add it again.
6. - In Airmail, open Settings, then Accounts.
7. - Select the affected account and tap Remove (or use the minus button).
8. - Tap Add Account and choose Gmail.
9. - When the Google sign-in window appears, make sure to select the correct Google address explicitly (not the suggested one), then grant Airmail the requested permissions.
10. Confirm the device is signed in with the correct Apple ID.
11. - Open System Settings, then your Apple ID at the top.
12. - Confirm that the Apple ID matches the one that purchased Airmail Pro (if applicable). A mismatch here can cause Airmail to refuse to associate the Google account with the active subscription.
13. Update Airmail and the operating system.
14. - Open the App Store and install any pending Airmail updates.
15. - Update macOS or iOS to the latest version available.
16. As a final fallback, fully quit and restart Airmail.
17. - On macOS: press Cmd+Q to quit, then reopen Airmail.
18. - On iPhone or iPad: swipe Airmail away from the App Switcher, then reopen it.

For Google Workspace accounts

If the affected account is part of a Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) organisation, your administrator may have restricted third-party apps from connecting to Workspace accounts.

• Ask your Workspace administrator to allow Airmail in the Admin console, under Security, then API controls, then Manage Third-Party App Access.
• - Once Airmail is approved, repeat step 2 above to add the account again.

Still not working

If the error persists after the steps above, please contact our support team and provide:

• The exact wording of the error and a screenshot, if possible.
• - Whether the account is a personal Gmail or a Google Workspace account.
• - The device (Mac, iPhone, iPad), the macOS or iOS version, and the Airmail version installed.

We will be glad to investigate the case further.

Updated on: 05/11/2026