Server connection error adding second Google account

[boardtc]

My daughter's laptop is a Lenovo Tab E7 7 running Android 8.1, as far as I can tell it has 32-bit architecture if that's relevant.

We have a standard gmail set up in it via google family.

She has got a school email address which they use for google apps, When I try and add this second google account, I get the message, There was a problem communicating with Google servers, try again later. This has happened over multiple days when there's a solid wi-fi connection.

I found old posts about this being an issue, e.g. https://forums.androidcentral.com/s...ogle-servers-try-again-later-galaxy-s3-2.html which suggests fixing via rooting or installing Google play services from an apk mirror. People having the issue responded to this thread between 14-16 mostly.

In the current school at home covid-19 era IO would very much appreciate help getting this sorted so she can connect with teachers for school work.

 

[B. Diddy]

I think I see where methodman89 is going with this -- if her tablet is logged in with a supervised Family Link account, that might not let you add an additional account to the Gmail app, even if it's her school account. For my daughter, I can get around this on a Chromebook by adding the school account as a separate sign-in. I don't recall if I tried adding her school account to her tablet, but I'd bet it won't let me.

 

[mustang7757]

I think I see where methodman89 is going with this -- if her tablet is logged in with a supervised Family Link account, that might not let you add an additional account to the Gmail app, even if it's her school account. For my daughter, I can get around this on a Chromebook by adding the school account as a separate sign-in. I don't recall if I tried adding her school account to her tablet, but I'd bet it won't let me.

It would say server error ?

 

[B. Diddy]

It would say server error ?

I wouldn't put it past Google to not have a specific error message. Family Link works pretty well, but it's not one of their flagship services, so it's probably more like a beta.

 

[mustang7757]

I wouldn't put it past Google to not have a specific error message. Family Link works pretty well, but it's not one of their flagship services, so it's probably more like a beta.

Gotcha ..

 

[boardtc]

When you say Google Family, are you saying she has a sub-account, such as parental control? Have you checked your permission settings for all accounts?

The way Google family works, we are using 2 parent account, so when anything is installed on a child account a parent needs to approve. So when I am installing on her machine, it comes up to pick a parent account, so I sign into mine I then essentially have full permissions on her tablet.

 

[boardtc]

I think I see where methodman89 is going with this -- if her tablet is logged in with a supervised Family Link account, that might not let you add an additional account to the Gmail app, even if it's her school account. For my daughter, I can get around this on a Chromebook by adding the school account as a separate sign-in. I don't recall if I tried adding her school account to her tablet, but I'd bet it won't let me.

By separate sign in you are just talking about accessing via the browser as opposed to switching accounts I think. I personally have 5 google account setup on my Android 10 phone. I have 2 setup on another old tablet we have. I don't see why I can't set up 2 google accounts on my daughter's tablet. Nothing I have read about Google Family tells me there is a restriction on the number of google accounts.

 

[boardtc]

I wouldn't put it past Google to not have a specific error message. Family Link works pretty well, but it's not one of their flagship services, so it's probably more like a beta.

It does work well, this is the first issue I have had. I didn't know they did not treat it as flagship, we've been there before, Google Notebook, Reader, etc. But again, Nothing I have read about Google Family tells me there is a restriction on the number of google accounts. I'll look now for a Google Family support somewhere...ideally Google would have extra staff helping with everyone wfh / sfh. The tablet is only a couple of months old and I am trying to do something which is standard afaik.

Update: Unreal, so I sent an email to Google for families help and after submitting they have a banner message: "As a precautionary health measure for our support specialists in light of COVID-19, we're operating with a limited team. Thanks for your patience, as it may take longer than usual to connect with us. For additional support, consult the Help Center." Why can't their team work from home like other IT staff, brutal stuff.

 

[anon(10614692)]

Have you seen https://support.google.com/mail/thread/4355255?hl=en

 

[boardtc]

Have you seen https://support.google.com/mail/thread/4355255?hl=en

Wow, mate, no I hadn't, thank you so much for locating that. 76 replies, big issue, exactly like I am seeing. I don't know if their is prescedent for solving somehting like this quickly. Thanks again @Galactic Zoo

 

[mustang7757]

Wow, mate, no I hadn't, thank you so much for locating that. 76 replies, big issue, exactly like I am seeing. I don't know if their is prescedent for solving somehting like this quickly. Thanks again @Galactic Zoo

Hopefully might be the fix for you , nice find Zoo.