Introduction
Notion is one of the most popular all-in-one workspace tools today — combining notes, docs, databases, task-management and collaboration features under one roof. Accessing this productivity hub starts with logging in, which may sound simple at first. However, depending on how you created your account, which device you use (web, desktop, or mobile), and what login method you prefer, the “login process” can look different. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Notion login: how to sign in, what methods are available, how to manage your credentials, and what to do when things go wrong.
What Are the Login Methods for Notion?
Notion supports multiple login methods — giving users flexibility to choose the one that fits them best. Here are the main options:
• Sign in with Email (Login Code / Magic Link)
One of the most universal and widely used login methods is via email. When you visit the Notion login page (notion.so/login), you can enter your email address and proceed. Instead of entering a password, Notion sends you a temporary login code (or a “magic link”) to your email. Once you input the code or click the link, you’ll be signed into your workspace.
This method is particularly handy if you don’t remember your password, or prefer not to set a permanent password for security reasons. It works on any device with email access — whether you’re on a desktop browser, mobile browser, or the Notion app.
• Sign in with a Permanent Password
If you prefer a more traditional login (email + password), Notion allows that too. You can set a password in your account settings under “Account Security.” Passwords must meet certain security requirements (e.g. a mix of characters, numbers, special characters), ensuring decent security hygiene.
Once set, you can use this password to log in instead of waiting for a login code each time.
• Sign in with Third-Party or Alternative Methods (Passkeys / Google / Apple / SSO)
For added flexibility (and sometimes more convenience), Notion supports alternative sign-in methods. Depending on your account setup, you might see options like:
- Sign in with Google — useful if your Notion account is tied to a Google / Gmail address.
- Sign in with Apple — works for users whose Notion account email matches their Apple ID’s email.
- Passkeys / Biometric Sign-in — On devices that support biometric authentication (e.g. fingerprint, Face ID) or secure passkeys, Notion allows you to add passkeys through account settings, offering a passwordless but secure login experience.
- Single Sign-On (SSO) — For organizations using identity providers (enterprise or team accounts), Notion can support SSO, streamlining login for corporate users.
Step-by-Step: Logging Into Notion (Web, Desktop, Mobile)
Here’s a general walkthrough of how to sign into Notion — regardless of which method you choose. Some details may vary slightly depending on device and login method.
- Go to the login page: notion.so/login — this works whether you’re on a browser (desktop or mobile) or using the Notion desktop app.
- Choose a login method:
- If using email login: enter your email → click “Continue” → check your inbox → use the 4-word code or magic link sent by Notion → you’re logged in.
- If using password: select “Continue with email/password” (or equivalent), enter your email and password, then click login.
- If using Google / Apple / SSO / passkey: choose the relevant option and follow the prompts — e.g. enter your Google credentials or use device biometric for passkey.
- Once authenticated, you’ll be directed to your Notion workspace — ready to access your dashboards, notes, or projects.
- If using the desktop app, you may also be asked whether you want login to persist (stay logged in). Notion typically keeps you logged in on a device for an extended period unless you manually log out.
Managing Your Account Security & Credentials
Notion gives users control over their account security and login preferences. Once you’re logged in, you can adjust key settings:
- Set / Change / Remove Password: If you initially signed up without a password (i.e. with email login only), you can set a strong password later via Settings → Account Security. If you already have a password, you can change or even remove it in favor of login codes.
- Change Email Address: If you want to switch the email associated with your account, you can do so — though Notion requires email verification to confirm the change.
- Add Passkeys or Biometric Login: For better convenience and security, you can set up passkeys (or biometric login if your device supports it) under Account Security.
- Manage Active Sessions / Logout Remotely: Notion allows you to log out of all active sessions (devices) if needed — useful if you suspect unauthorized access.
Security advice: Notion’s documentation emphasizes that you should never share your password — not even with anyone claiming to represent Notion support. All passwords are encrypted on their servers, meaning Notion itself doesn’t know your actual password.
Common Issues — Why You Might Not Be Able to Log In
Most users log in without issue. However, occasionally things go wrong. Here are common problems and what to do about them:
🔑 Forgotten Password — or No Password Set
If you initially signed up using email login (temporary codes or magic links) and don’t remember creating a password — or you simply forgot your password — you can reset it. On the login page, choose “Forgot password?”, provide your email, and you’ll receive a reset link. Clicking that will take you to account settings where you can set (or reset) your password.
✉️ No Access to Your Registered Email
If you don’t have access to the email you used originally (maybe you changed providers, lost access, or the email is deactivated) — and if you had a permanent password already — you can log in and change your email address from account settings.
If you never set a password, this becomes trickier — because Notion uses email-based codes/login-links — and losing access to that email essentially locks you out.
📶 Desktop or Mobile App Login Failures
Sometimes login issues stem not from your credentials, but from the app itself. In cases of corrupted local cache, outdated app version, or misconfigured network/firewall settings — the login may fail even if your account is valid. The recommended fix is to:
- Restart the app
- Clear the local cache or app data
- Ensure you’re running the latest version
- If problems persist: uninstall and reinstall the app.
For persistent failures, another good test is to try logging in via the web browser — if the browser login works, the issue is likely with the desktop/mobile app rather than your account.
🔐 Third-Party Login or SSO Issues
If you signed up using Google, Apple, or via a corporate SSO, and for some reason those services are unavailable or misconfigured — login may fail. Also, some advanced security setups (for enterprise accounts) may restrict passkey or alternative login options.
What to Do if Login Still Doesn’t Work
If you’ve tried all the usual fixes (correct email, correct password or login code, clearing cache/app reinstall) and still can’t log in — here are additional steps to consider:
- Verify that your device’s time and date are correct. Since temporary login codes and authentication tokens can depend on accurate timestamps, an incorrect clock may block login, especially on mobile devices.
- Try logging in via the web instead of the app (or vice versa) — this helps isolate whether issue is with your credentials or your app.
- If you had used an email-based login (magic link) but never set a password — and no longer have email access — contact Notion support. While Notion can’t recover your password (they don’t store it in plaintext), there may be recovery options depending on other linked credentials.
- For organizational accounts (SSO) — reach out to your workspace or IT admin; there may be login restrictions or identity-provider issues causing the failure.
- As a last resort: consider creating a new account — but only after being sure there’s no other recovery path, as you may lose access to previous workspace data.
Best Practices for Notion Login and Account Security
To avoid login headaches and keep your Notion workspace secure, here are some recommended practices:
- Set a strong permanent password — even if you prefer email login code convenience. This gives you a backup method in case email-based login fails.
- Enable passkeys or biometric login (if device supports it) — adds security and convenience, reducing reliance on email or password-based login.
- Keep your account email up to date — especially if you change email providers or abandon old email addresses.
- Use a stable device and network — avoid using VPNs or firewalls that may block Notion’s connection, particularly for desktop apps.
- Keep Notion app updated — ensure you’re running the latest version to avoid bugs or compatibility issues.
- Log out of devices you no longer use — use “log out of all devices” especially if you suspect unauthorized access or switch devices frequently.
Conclusion
Signing into Notion might look simple at first — but thanks to its flexible login options and account-security features, there’s more depth beneath the surface. Whether you prefer the convenience of email login codes, the traditional security of passwords, or the modern flair of passkeys and third-party sign-ins, Notion gives you the tools to access your workspace in a way that feels right for you.
At the same time, this flexibility means paying attention — setting secure credentials, keeping email and device access updated, and managing your sessions carefully. And if login issues ever crop up, knowing where to look (cache, app version, email access) can save you a lot of frustration.
In the end, a smooth Notion login experience isn’t just about getting inside — it’s about doing so securely and reliably, so you can focus on what matters: organizing your work, ideas, notes, and projects without hiccups.
