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To sync Chrome, sign in to the Chrome profile on every device with the same Google Account, turn on Sync, and select the information you want shared. Chrome can then make bookmarks, passwords and passkeys, history, open tabs, extensions, settings, reading list, payment details, addresses, and other preferences available on compatible computers and mobile devices. Signing in to Gmail or another Google website alone does not sign the Chrome profile in.
Use Google’s current controls for Chrome Sync and verify the account email before enabling it.
What Chrome Sync includes
Chrome Sync stores selected browser-profile information in your Google Account so it can be accessed from other devices signed in to Chrome with that account. It is not a complete backup of your computer or phone, and Chrome features vary by operating system.
| Data | Can sync? | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Bookmarks | Yes | Local bookmarks may need to be saved to the account; combining profiles can create duplicates. |
| Reading list | Yes | Availability and controls vary by platform. |
| Passwords and passkeys | Yes | They must be saved to the same Google Account and can be affected by an encryption passphrase or administrator policy. |
| Payment information and addresses | Available | Review the privacy implications before storing this information in the account. |
| History and open tabs | Yes | Enable History and tabs; a custom passphrase changes history synchronization. |
| Extensions and web apps | Generally | An extension or web app may not be available or behave identically on another operating system. |
| Settings, preferences and themes | Yes, where supported | Mobile, desktop, Chromebook and iOS Chrome do not expose identical settings. |
Google also states that a Google Account can contain up to 100,000 bookmarks. See the official Chrome Sync details for the current list of categories.
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Before you begin
- Create or use a Google Account. Google requires one to sign in to Chrome (desktop sign-in requirements).
- Install Chrome on each computer, phone, tablet or Chromebook and connect each device to the internet during setup.
- Use devices you control, especially if syncing passwords, payment information or addresses.
- Check the exact email address in the Chrome profile on every device. A personal account and a work account have separate Chrome data.
- If you use a custom Chrome encryption passphrase, keep it available and use a reasonably current Chrome release; an outdated browser can cause passphrase synchronization problems.
Sync Chrome on a Windows or Mac computer
- Open Chrome and select the profile icon in the upper-right corner.
- Sign in with the Google Account used on your other devices.
- Select the account name, or open More → Settings → You and Google.
- Select the signed-in account and turn on Sync when Chrome prompts you.
- Choose Manage what you sync (wording can vary) and select Sync everything or Customize sync.
- If you need browsing history or tabs, make sure History and tabs is enabled.
These controls are documented in Google’s Chrome Sync help. Always confirm the email address before allowing local data to merge with account data.
Sync Chrome on Android
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap More (the three-dot menu), then Settings.
- Tap the signed-in account and sign in if necessary.
- Turn on Sync, then choose all categories or customize the list.
- Enable History and tabs if you want history and open tabs shared.
Android Chrome’s account path is described by Google at Android Chrome sign-in. Chrome Sync is separate from Android device backup: it does not restore every app, file, photo, message or system setting.
Sync Chrome on an iPhone or iPad
- Open Chrome and tap More → Settings.
- Tap the account name and sign in if required.
- Turn on Sync.
- Enable History and Tabs when you want those items shared, then review the remaining categories.
Google’s iOS instructions are at Chrome Sync for iPhone and iPad. Syncing Chrome data does not make iOS behave like Android or replace Apple’s system-level password, browser or autofill behavior.
Chromebook notes
The Google Account used to sign in to a Chromebook and its Chrome profile are closely connected, but still check the active profile and Sync controls. Device-specific options—such as address-bar placement or New Tab settings—may not transfer exactly to desktop or iOS. Google documents Chromebook and Android Chrome differences at this help page.
Confirm that synchronization worked
Bookmarks and reading list
Save a test bookmark on one signed-in device, then open the Bookmarks manager on another. If older bookmarks were stored only on the first device, use the account-saving workflow below before expecting them elsewhere.
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Passwords and passkeys
Saved credentials are managed through Google Password Manager. In Chrome or Android, open Password Manager; you can also use passwords.google.com unless a custom Chrome passphrase prevents web access to those credentials.
History and open tabs
On a computer, open History → Tabs from other devices. On Android or iPhone/iPad, open More → Recent tabs. These paths are listed for computers, Android and iOS.
Extensions and settings
Check the Extensions page and a few familiar settings on the second device. Phone and tablet Chrome cannot run every desktop extension, and operating-system-specific options may remain local.
Choose between Sync everything and Customize sync
Sync everything
Choose this for a personal set of trusted devices, a quick replacement-device setup, or when you want browser settings and compatible extensions carried over with minimal configuration.
Customize sync
Choose individual categories when a computer is shared, when work and personal browsing must remain separate, when you use another password manager, or when you do not want history, payment or address data stored in the Google Account. The controls are under the signed-in account in You and Google.
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Move existing local data into your account
Signing in does not guarantee that every item created while signed out is already in the account. To move supported device-only information:
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- Sign in to Chrome.
- Select the profile icon.
- Choose Save items in account.
- Select the information to save and confirm Save in account.
Export important bookmarks first when merging old and new profiles. Local bookmarks can otherwise remain separate, and combining collections may produce duplicate folders or entries. Google explains this distinction in its Chrome account-saving guidance.
Passwords, passkeys and autofill
Passwords must be saved to the same Google Account to appear on another device. On Android, Chrome may ask which account should store a password when several accounts are present. A workplace or school administrator can restrict password saving, and another password manager may be selected as the device’s autofill provider.
Google Password Manager can be used selectively: you can synchronize credentials without enabling history, extensions or every Chrome preference. Passkeys may depend on the device, operating system, website and selected credential provider, so do not assume identical behavior everywhere.
Privacy, encryption and custom passphrases
Google says synced data is encrypted. A user-created Chrome passphrase adds another layer: Google’s cloud stores the passphrase-encrypted Chrome data without being able to read that passphrase. Google Wallet payment methods and addresses are not encrypted by that custom Chrome passphrase (Google’s explanation).
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- You must enter the passphrase when setting up Chrome on a new device and sometimes again on existing devices.
- Passwords may not be viewable at passwords.google.com while the passphrase arrangement applies.
- Full browsing history is limited: Google says only web addresses entered in Chrome’s address bar are synchronized.
- Forgetting the passphrase can make recovery difficult. Resetting or removing it may delete passphrase-encrypted data from Google’s servers and sign devices out.
A passphrase is not a universal backup. Export important bookmarks or passwords before changing encryption settings, and protect the Google Account with a strong password, recovery methods and device locks.
Fix Chrome Sync when it is not working
- Compare accounts. Open the profile menu on every device and compare the complete email address. Do not merge data until the correct account is identified.
- Confirm Chrome sign-in. Being signed in to Gmail, YouTube or another site in a tab is not the same as signing in to the Chrome profile. Check You and Google (Google’s sign-in guidance).
- Check the category. Open Sync settings and verify the missing item—especially History and tabs—is enabled.
- Bring both devices online. Leave Chrome open briefly and check the correct destination menu: History → Tabs from other devices on a computer or More → Recent tabs on mobile.
- Resolve a paused sync. If Chrome shows Verify it’s you, complete the sign-in check. Google lists signing out of a Google service as one reason sync can pause (paused-sync troubleshooting).
- Update Chrome. This is particularly important when a custom passphrase is involved.
- Stop sync from turning off after quitting. Open More → Settings → Privacy and security → Site Settings → Additional content settings → On-device site data, then enable Allow sites to save data on your device. Labels can vary by Chrome redesign, operating system or managed policy; see Google’s troubleshooting steps.
- Investigate passphrase and policy conflicts. A custom passphrase changes history and password access, while employer or school policies can control Sync and password settings. Enterprise context is described at Google Chrome Enterprise help.
- Preserve local data before signing out. Export bookmarks or passwords as appropriate, then sign out and back in only after confirming that important items are saved in the account.
Stop syncing or remove a device
To stop a device sharing Chrome data, open the Chrome profile menu, open Settings → You and Google, and sign out of Chrome. Google says signing out removes account information from that device while retaining it in the Google Account. This is different from deleting cloud-stored Chrome data. On a shared, public, school or work computer, use a separate profile or avoid Sync entirely, and review your Google Account’s current security and device-access controls before removing access.
Alternatives to full Chrome Sync
Use Google Password Manager selectively
Keep passwords and passkeys in Google Password Manager while leaving history, tabs or extensions out of Sync. This suits people who want credential convenience without copying their entire browser profile.
One-time export and import
For a migration rather than continuous sharing, export and import bookmarks or passwords. Treat exported password CSV files as sensitive plaintext credentials: store them temporarily and delete them securely after import.
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A separate manager can be preferable for cross-browser use, family or team sharing, organization-owned security policies, secure notes or a migration path away from Google. It will not synchronize Chrome bookmarks, open tabs or extensions; those remain browser-profile functions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chrome Sync work between Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone?
Yes. Sign in to Chrome with the same Google Account on each platform and enable the desired categories. Features and settings can still differ by operating system.
Why are my bookmarks syncing but not my tabs?
Open Sync settings and enable History and tabs. Then check the correct location: History → Tabs from other devices on a computer or More → Recent tabs on Android and iPhone/iPad. A custom passphrase can also change history synchronization.
Can I sync Chrome without syncing history?
Yes. Choose Customize sync and leave History and tabs disabled while enabling bookmarks, passwords or other categories.
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What happens if I forget my Chrome passphrase?
Do not reset it casually. Google warns that removing or resetting a custom passphrase may delete passphrase-encrypted data from its servers and sign devices out.
Does Chrome Sync copy extensions to phones?
Compatible extensions and web apps may appear across signed-in profiles, but desktop extensions generally cannot run on mobile Chrome and behavior varies by platform.
Is Chrome Sync safe on a shared computer?
Avoid syncing sensitive categories on devices you do not control. Use a separate Chrome profile or do not sign in, and sign out when finished.
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