If you use a desktop computer at the office, a laptop at home, and a smartphone while commuting, keeping your web browsing consistent across all three devices can be incredibly frustrating. Saving a bookmark on your work computer means you will not have access to it on your phone later, and a complex password generated on your laptop will be impossible to remember when trying to log in on your desktop.
You can instantly solve this fragmentation by enabling Google Chrome Sync. This feature securely links your browser to your Google account, automatically synchronising your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and even your open tabs across every single device you own in real-time.
How to Turn on Google Chrome Sync
To use this feature, you must have a free Google account (like a standard Gmail address).
- Open the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
- Look at the top-right corner of the window, near the three-dot menu icon. You will see a circular profile icon. (If you are not logged in, it will likely be a generic grey silhouette).
- Click this Profile icon.
- Click the Turn on sync… button.
- You will be prompted to sign in to your Google Account. Enter your email address and password.
- A pop-up window will appear asking, “Turn on sync?”. Click the blue Yes, I’m in button.
You must repeat this exact process on every device you use (including the Chrome app on your iPhone or Android device). Once all devices are signed into the same account with Sync enabled, they will share data seamlessly.
How to Customise What Data is Synced
By default, Chrome Sync copies absolutely everything. However, you might want to share your bookmarks between your work and home computers without sharing your personal browsing history or saved credit card details.
- Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- Under the “You and Google” section, click on Sync and Google services.
- Click on Manage what you sync.
- Select the Customise sync option.
A checklist will appear. You can now toggle specific categories on or off. For example, you can turn on Bookmarks and Passwords, but turn off History and Payment methods. These preferences are saved instantly.
How to Access Open Tabs from Other Devices
One of the most powerful features of Chrome Sync is the ability to read an article on your phone, leave the tab open, and pick up exactly where you left off on your computer.
- Open Chrome on your computer.
- Press Ctrl + H (or click the three-dot menu and select History) to open the History page.
- On the left-hand menu, click Tabs from other devices.
This page will display a list of every tab currently open on your phone or laptop. Simply click any link to open that page on your current screen.
Security Considerations
Because Chrome Sync stores your passwords and browsing habits in the cloud, security is vital. To prevent anyone who gains access to your Google account from seeing this data, you can set up a custom Sync Passphrase.
In the Sync and Google services menu, look for Encryption options. Choose to encrypt synced data with your own sync passphrase. This adds an extra layer of security, meaning your data can only be decrypted by someone who knows that specific passphrase, not just your Google password.