Signing out of Google Chrome removes your personal data from the browser
When you sign out of Google Chrome, you disconnect your Google account from the browser. This removes your bookmarks, history, passwords, and other synced information from that device. The data stays in your Google account — it just stops appearing in Chrome on that particular computer or phone.
Signing out is different from clearing your browsing data. Signing out disconnects your account; clearing data deletes what Chrome has stored locally. You might do both if you're sharing a device or selling a computer, or just one if you want to keep your browsing history but remove your account.
Key Takeaways
- Signing out removes your Google account from Chrome but keeps your data in your Google account online.
- On Windows and Mac, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign out".
- On Android, go to Settings, tap your Google account, then select the account and choose "Remove account".
- On iPhone and iPad, swipe left on your profile picture in Settings and tap "Sign out".
- After signing out, you can still use Chrome — you just won't be synced to your Google account.
How to sign out on Windows and Mac
Look for your profile picture in the top right corner of the Chrome window. It appears as a small circle with your initial or photo inside it. Click on it to open a menu.
Select "Sign out" from the menu that appears. Chrome will ask you to confirm — click "Sign out" again. Your account will disconnect immediately, and your synced data will no longer appear in Chrome on that device.
If you don't see a profile picture, you may not be signed in. You can check by clicking the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top right, then looking under "Settings" > "You and Google" to see whether an account is connected.
How to sign out on Android phones and tablets
Open the Chrome app and tap the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings".
Tap your Google account name at the top of the Settings screen. You'll see the account you're currently signed in with. Tap it again to open account options, then select "Remove account". Confirm by tapping "Remove account" in the popup that appears.
Your account will disconnect from Chrome. If you have multiple Google accounts on your Android device, removing the account from Chrome does not delete it from your phone — it only removes it from the browser.
How to sign out on iPhone and iPad
Open the Chrome app and tap the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Settings".
Tap your Google account name at the top. Swipe left on the account name, then tap the trash icon that appears. Confirm by tapping "Sign out" in the popup. Your account will disconnect from Chrome on that device.
What happens after you sign out
Once you sign out, Chrome stops syncing your data to that device. Your bookmarks, passwords, history, and open tabs will no longer appear in Chrome on that computer or phone. However, all of this information remains in your Google account and will appear in Chrome on any other device where you sign back in.
You can still use Chrome after signing out — you just won't have access to your synced information. If you want to use Chrome without signing in, you can browse normally, but your bookmarks and passwords won't be available.
If you sign back into the same Google account on that device later, your synced data will reappear in Chrome.
Signing out versus clearing your browsing data
Signing out and clearing your browsing data are two separate actions. Signing out disconnects your account but leaves your local browsing history, cookies, and cached files on the device. Clearing your browsing data deletes those files from the device but does not disconnect your account.
If you're preparing to give a device to someone else, you may want to do both: sign out of your Google account, then clear your browsing data to remove any local traces of your activity. To clear your data, click the menu button (three dots on desktop, three lines on mobile), go to "Settings", then "Privacy and security" > "Clear browsing data", and select what you want to delete.
If you can't find the sign-out option
On desktop, make sure you're looking at the top right corner of the Chrome window itself, not your computer's taskbar. The profile picture should be inside the browser window. If you still don't see it, you may not be signed in to a Google account.
On mobile, check that you're in the Chrome app, not a Chrome shortcut or another browser. If you're signed in but don't see your account name in Settings, try closing and reopening the app, or restarting your device.
If you're having trouble on a shared device, you may need to ask the device owner or administrator for help, as some devices restrict account changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will signing out delete my bookmarks and passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and other synced data remain in your Google account. They will reappear in Chrome if you sign back in on any device. Signing out only removes them from that specific device.
Can I sign out of Chrome without signing out of my Google account?
Yes. Signing out of Chrome only disconnects the browser from your Google account. Your Google account itself remains active on your device and in other apps like Gmail or Google Drive.
What if I forgot my password and can't sign back in?
You can still use Chrome without signing in. Go to myaccount.google.com on another device to reset your password, then sign back into Chrome once you've created a new one. Until then, you can browse Chrome normally without synced data.
Does signing out of Chrome on one device sign me out everywhere?
No. Signing out only affects that specific device. You'll remain signed in to Chrome on your other devices, phone, and computer until you sign out on each one individually.
Can I sign out of Chrome but stay signed into Gmail?
Yes. Chrome and Gmail are separate. You can sign out of Chrome while remaining signed into Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services on the same device.