- What Chrome saves to your Google Account
- Why signing in is worth it
- How to turn on history and tabs sync
- Move info you saved while signed out
- Keep synced data private with a passphrase
- How to turn off sync by signing out
- Stop Chrome signing you in automatically
- Sign out of Chrome on a device you don't have
- Chrome sync in the EU
- My verdict on Chrome sync
- Frequently asked questions
Chrome sync is what happens when you sign in to Chrome with your Google Account: your bookmarks, passwords, extensions, settings and more are saved to that account and appear on every device where you're signed in with it. Your tabs and browsing history are a separate switch, under More, then Settings, then You and Google, where you select your account name and turn on History and tabs.
Here's the catch. When you sign out of Chrome, bookmarks and other new info are saved only on that device, not in your Google Account. Anything you add while signed out won't reach your other devices until you sign back in and save it to your account with Save in account.
What Chrome saves to your Google Account
| Info | Saved when you sign in, as of October 2026? |
|---|---|
| Bookmarks and reading list | Yes |
| Passwords and payment info | Yes |
| Identity docs, contact and travel info | Yes |
| Extensions and web apps | Yes, and you choose which apps install on each device |
| Settings, preferences and themes | Yes, they update on every signed-in device |
| Tabs and browsing history | Only after you turn on History and tabs |
You can always change what's saved: Chrome has a Choose what to save in your Google Account setting, so you can leave out anything you'd rather keep on one machine.
Why signing in is worth it
- If you lose your phone or get a new laptop, you can get your saved info back.
- You're signed in automatically to Gmail, YouTube, Search and other Google services.
- With Web and App Activity on and your Chrome history synced, other Google products can give you a more personalised experience.
- You can find tabs open on other devices, sites you've visited, saved passwords, addresses, payment methods and extensions from any signed-in device.
- You can use AI Mode side-by-side to chat about your open tabs or files.
How to turn on history and tabs sync
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More, then Settings, then You and Google.
- Select your account name.
- Turn on History and tabs.
Move info you saved while signed out
- On your computer, sign in to Chrome.
- At the top right, select Profile. If there's info only on this device, you'll see an option to save those items in your account.
- Choose what info to save in your account.
- Select Save in account.
Keep synced data private with a passphrase
A passphrase lets you store your Chrome data in Google's cloud without letting Google read it. It's optional, and Google says your synced data is always protected by encryption either way. There's one gap: payment methods and addresses from Google Wallet aren't encrypted by a passphrase. If you set a passphrase and sync starts misbehaving, Google's advice is to update Chrome to the latest version, which my guide to updating Chrome covers.
How to turn off sync by signing out
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select Profile, then Sign out of Chrome.
If you signed out of a Google service like Gmail, or your account is in an error state, select Remove Account from Chrome instead. Signing out of Gmail alone doesn't sign you out of Chrome. Chrome will instead show a verify it's you prompt before it keeps saving new data to your Google Account, and you follow the on-screen steps to clear it.
Stop Chrome signing you in automatically
When you sign in to Gmail or another Google service, Chrome may ask if you want to sign in to Chrome too. It's optional. To change your preference, select Profile, then Google Services Settings, and under Other Google services choose Don't sign in to stay signed out, or Ask every time.
Sign out of Chrome on a device you don't have
Lost a laptop, or left Chrome signed in on a work computer? Go to your Google Account, find the apps with access to your account, and under Google apps select Google Chrome, then Remove access. Be aware it's broad: you'll be signed out of every computer you've used before, including the one you're on now.
Chrome sync in the EU
If you're in the EU, the Digital Markets Act, which took effect on March 6th, 2024, means Google lets you choose whether to link certain services: Search, YouTube, ad services, Google Play, Chrome, Google Shopping and Google Maps. In some countries you may need to link services before Chrome history can personalise other Google products. To change it, go to your Google Account, select Data and privacy, then under Data sharing select Linked Google services, pick the services, select Next, then Confirm and Done. Linking is about Google services sharing with each other, not with third-party services. When services are linked, they can share personal data with each other and with all other Google services, including your signed-in activity, such as what you search for and the videos you watch. Any Google service not on that list is always linked. You can review and change your choices at any time.
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My verdict on Chrome sync
I'd sign in on every device you own and turn on History and tabs, because getting everything back after a lost phone is worth more than any small privacy gain from staying signed out. On a shared or borrowed computer, don't sign in at all. If you only need your bookmarks somewhere else once, you can export them from Chrome instead, and you can check what's stored with my guide to viewing saved passwords in Chrome.
Frequently asked questions
What does Chrome sync save?
Bookmarks, reading list, passwords, payment info, identity docs, contact and travel info, extensions, web apps, settings and preferences. Tabs and browsing history sync once you turn on History and tabs.
How do I turn off Chrome sync?
At the top right, select Profile, then Sign out of Chrome. New bookmarks and other info are then saved only on that device.
Does signing out of Gmail sign me out of Chrome?
No. Chrome shows a verify it's you prompt before it keeps saving new data to your Google Account.
Can Google read my synced Chrome data?
Not if you set a passphrase. Payment methods and addresses from Google Wallet aren't encrypted by a passphrase.
Can I sign out of Chrome remotely?
Yes. In your Google Account, under Google apps, select Google Chrome, then Remove access. You'll be signed out from every computer you've used before.
