How to Sync Chrome on Android and All Your Devices
There are many reasons why I prefer to use Chrome as my primary browser. One of the main reasons is the fact that it’s cross-platform, which comes in handy when you’re someone who moves between operating systems. As long as you have a Google Account, you can easily switch between devices and have information like your bookmarks and passwords at your fingertips. All this is possible thanks to a simple feature of the Chrome browser – Chrome sync.
What is Google Chrome Sync
Google Chrome Sync is a Chrome Browser feature that allows you to keep all of your Chrome information up-to-date across all of your devices. This means that wherever you use Chrome, be it your phone, Chromebook, Mac, or PC, you can have all of the below available and updated as long as you’re signed in to your Google Account:
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- Bookmarks
- History and open tabs
- Passwords
- payment information
- Addresses and telephone numbers
- Settings and preferences
Plus, Chrome sync is what automatically signs you in to Gmail, YouTube, Search, and other Google services without having to do it individually. Log in once and sail away!
How to Enable Chrome Sync on Android
Android devices include a mobile version of the Chrome browser. While it doesn’t include all the features you can get on the full-fledged desktop browser, it does offer synchronization for the below:
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- Addresses and more
- Bookmarks
- Payment methods and addresses using Google Pay
- Story
- Passwords
- Open tabs
- Settings
To turn it on, just tap the 3 dots or “More” menu to access your Chrome settings, select “Synchronize”then choose either “Synchronize everything” or each category individually.
I just want the steps:
1. Open Chrome on your Android device
2. Tap the 3 dots or the “More” menu icon at the top right to access your Settings
3. In SettingsPress on “To sychronizewhich should appear just below your Google Account name
4. In To sychronizeselect “Synchronize everything” or simply select each option individually
How to Enable Sync on Desktop Chrome
Devices such as Chromebooks, Macs, PCs, and Linux devices use the desktop version of Chrome, which offers the same syncing options as on mobile, but with a few extras such as:
- apps
- Extensions
- Theme and wallpaper
- Reading list
- Wi-Fi networks
To turn it on, open Chrome. If you are not already logged in to the browser, then at the top right click on “Profile”. Log in to your Google account, in which case you should see an option to sync your information. Click on Activate synchronizationthen Light up.
However, if you are already logged in to the browser, but just want to check that syncing is enabled, then click on the 3 dots or on the “More” menu icon. Click on “Synchronization and Google services” which should appear just below your Google account name, then click on “Manage what you sync”. This should present you with all of your sync options. You can either select “Sync all”or activate the desired options individually.
I just want the steps:
If you are NOT already logged into the browser, then
1. Open Chrome, then at the top right, click on Profile
2. Log in to your Google account.
3. If you want to sync your information across all your devices, click Activate synchronizationthen Light up
If you are already logged into the browser, then
1. Open Chrome, then tap the 3 dots or “More” menu top right
2. Click on “Sync Services and Google“
3. Click on “Manage what you sync“
4. Select “Synchronize everything”or activate the options you want individually
It’s worth mentioning, though, that you should only use Google Chrome Sync on private computers or devices you own. You wouldn’t want to leave all of your Google information on a public computer and risk someone trying to hack you and kick you out of your own account. For this there is the “guest mode” which is also available in Chrome.
Although Chrome is not a perfect browser and has its downsides as a memory hog, I think its pros and conveniences far outweigh the cons. It’s no secret that its ubiquity and robust feature set make it one of the most popular browsers around.