How To Sync Google Chrome Between Your Desktop And Android Device
One of Chrome for Android’s best features is being able to sync content (website history, bookmarks, etc.) from your other devices where you use Chrome. It’s perfect for carrying on an interrupted browsing session on your laptop, or not having to import or make bookmarks all over again. Here’s how you make it work:
Set up your desktop/laptop
First, you’ll have to check that your computer’s browser is signed in to Chrome. To check this, click on the wrench icon on the top right corner of the browser toolbar.
Under the Downloads link, you should either see “Signed in as youremail@gmail.com” if you’re already signed in, or “Sign in to Chrome” if you’re not. Click on the latter to sign in using your Gmail account. Enter your Gmail email address and password and hit Sign In.
Click on “Ok, sync everything” on the next pop-up window.
Your desktop browser is now signed in to Chrome.
Set up your mobile phone/device
On your Android device, open the Chrome browser. Tap on the sync icon (with up and down arrows) on the bottom right corner. You should see the prompt to sync using your Gmail account.
Once you’re signed in, you should see recently accessed websites on your other devices.
If you followed the first few instructions, you can bypass the instructions above and just tap on the sync icon again to see synced content. You’ll know this when you see something similar as the screen shot below:
Go the the bookmarks tab (star icon) and you should now get your desktop’s bookmarks as well as a separate folder for mobile ones. When saving bookmarks from your phone and you want to see it on your desktop, save them on the desktop bookmarks folder.
That’s about it! Every time you access websites with Chrome on your computer or mobile phone, it should automatically sync within a few seconds — even real time with a super fast connection.
Do you find syncing features on apps useful? Share your own experience in the comments!
Image Credit: Mobile Phone On A Computer Keyboard by Graphicleftovers.com
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My desktop bookmarks don’t sync to my Samsung Galaxy 2. I only see “Mobile Bookmarks” — how do I get Desktop Bookmarks to my phone’s Chrome browser?
You need both your phone and your desktop browser signed in to Chrome.
Thanks for your great site! I found it, while Googling “sync bookmarks Chrome Android” — I’m having the same problem as the commenter above. Unfortunately, the directions mentioned here don’t work — suspect it’s because I’m using Jellybean on a Samsung Note 2. In any case, I cannot get my phone to sync to the “other bookmarks” on my laptop. The sync time on the phone is up to date, and it *is* seeing the tabs I have open on my laptop…it’s just the bookmarks that aren’t syncing. I checked to make sure I have “sync everything” selected in the settings, and I do. Please help!
Hi Kim,
The process might not work for Jellybean. Try doing a more specific search in Google which includes your Android version and device. Thanks for visiting my blog, anyway!
I also own the Note II, and I am having problems syncing my open tabs only from mobile to laptop…however, I do have all the necessary bookmark folders. I’m quite a bookmark geek though (and bookmarks are syncing OK..not perfect). For Bic.. Try going “into” your Mobile Bookmark folder, like “back”..click on it, if you have not tried this yet and hopefully it will lead you to the other folders.
I also use an app that I believe Google recommended…Chrome to Phone. I’m going to try your method now, although I’m picky where I place my bookmarks….as long as it works I’ll be a friggin happy girl.
Why do I have to keep “signing in” to use “chrome to phone”???? Already signed in on desktop and phone. So annoying!!!
Do you know if I can see my phone’s chrome history on my desktop? And how to do that?
Open a new tab and look for Other Devices on the bottom right corner. It should show your Android device. This is provided you are signed in to both your desktop and mobile browsers.