How to Disable Chrome Sync on Your Devices

Only see the searches you want on each device

What to Know

  • For PCs, open Chrome, select the three dots, go to Settings > You and Google, and select Turn off.
  • For Android, open Chrome, select the three dots, go to Settings > Sync and Google services, and tap Sync your Chrome data.
  • For iOS, open Chrome, select the three dots, go to Settings > Sync and Google services, tap Sync, and then tap Done.

The Chrome web browser uses your Google Account to synchronize bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords, and other personal settings across all your devices. If you don't want this information on all your devices, learn how to turn off sync on Chrome. Instructions apply to the desktop version of Google Chrome and the Chrome mobile app for iOS and Android.

How to Turn Off Sync on Chrome

Follow these instructions to turn off sync on Chrome OS, Linux, macOS, and Windows:

  1. Select the three dots in the upper-right corner of Google Chrome, then choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

    Select the three dots in the upper-right corner of Google Chrome, then choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

    To use a shortcut to access the Google Chrome settings, enter chrome://settings in the address bar.

  2. In the You and Google section, select Turn off to the right of your name and Google Account image.

    Select Turn off to the right of your name and Google Account image under the You and Google section.
  3. A pop-up message appears detailing what will occur when you disable Chrome sync, including being signed out of your Google accounts. Select Turn off to complete the process.

    Select Turn off in the Google Chrome sync settings

    Optionally, select the Clear bookmarks, history, passwords, and more from this device check box before selecting Turn off.

  4. To re-enable sync, return to the Chrome settings, go to the You and Google section, and select Turn on sync. You're prompted to enter your Google Account login credentials.

    To re-enable sync at any time, return to the Chrome settings and select Turn on sync under the You and Google section.

Bookmarks, browsing history, stored passwords, and other settings are available when sync is disabled. However, the changes you make aren't synchronized with your Google Account and aren't available on other devices.

Files transferring across two different computers
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How to Turn Off Sync for Google Chrome on Android

Follow the steps below to turn off Chrome sync on Android smartphones and tablets:

  1. Open Google Chrome.

  2. Tap the three dots located in the upper-right corner of the Chrome app.

  3. Tap Settings when the pop-out menu appears.

    How to access Google Chrome app settings
  4. Tap Sync and Google services at the top of the Settings screen.

  5. Tap the Sync your Chrome data toggle so that it turns from blue to gray. Sync is disabled on your Android device.

    How to Turn Off Sync for Google Chrome on Android

How to Disable Sync for Google Chrome on iOS

Take these steps to turn off Chrome sync on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices:

  1. Tap the three dots in the lower-right corner of the screen.

  2. Tap Settings when the pop-out menu appears.

    More menu and Settings
  3. Tap Sync and Google Services.

  4. Tap the Sync toggle so that it turns from blue to white.

    Go to the Data Types section to choose to sync only specific data like bookmarks, browsing history, and passwords.

  5. Tap Done in the upper-right corner to return to your browsing session with sync disabled.

    Sync and Google Services, Sync switch, Done
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