You can send an open tab from your phone's Chrome to your computer in three taps
Chrome on Android and iPhone can send any open tab directly to Chrome on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. The tab opens immediately on your computer in the same browser window, and you stay signed into the same Google account on both devices. This works whether your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network or not — Google handles the connection in the background.
The feature is built into Chrome and costs nothing. You do not need to install anything extra or change any settings beyond making sure you are signed in.
Key Takeaways
- Both your phone and computer must be signed into the same Google account in Chrome for this to work.
- On your phone, open the tab you want to send, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Send to your devices" — then choose your computer.
- The tab opens automatically on your computer in a new window or tab, depending on what you were doing when it arrived.
- You can also send tabs the opposite direction: from your computer to your phone using the same menu.
Set up your Google account on both devices
Before you can send tabs, both Chrome installations need to be signed into the same Google account. On your phone, open Chrome and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. If you see a name and email address, you are already signed in. If you see "Sign in" instead, tap it and enter your Google email and password.
On your computer, open Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click your profile picture. If you see your name and email, you are signed in. If you see "Sign in to Chrome", click it and follow the prompts to sign into the same Google account you use on your phone. The account name must match exactly — if your phone uses john.smith@gmail.com, your computer must use the same address.
After you sign in on both devices, wait a few seconds for Chrome to sync. You do not need to do anything else — Chrome handles the rest automatically.
Send a tab from your phone to your computer
Open Chrome on your phone and navigate to the page you want to send. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the bottom right corner of the screen (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap "Send to your devices". A list appears showing all your computers and tablets signed into the same Google account.
Tap the name of the computer where you want the tab to open. Chrome sends the tab immediately — you do not need to confirm anything else. On your computer, the tab opens in a new window or a new tab in your current window, depending on whether Chrome was already running. If Chrome was closed, it opens automatically with the tab.
The original tab stays open on your phone. Closing it on your phone does not close it on your computer, and closing it on your computer does not affect your phone.
Send a tab from your computer to your phone
The process works the same direction. On your computer, open the tab you want to send and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the Chrome window. Click "Send tab to your devices". A list appears showing all your phones and tablets signed into the same Google account.
Click the name of the device where you want the tab to open. The tab opens immediately on your phone in a new tab. If Chrome was closed on your phone, it opens automatically. The tab remains open on your computer — sending it does not remove it from where you are working.
Troubleshoot if the option does not appear
If you do not see "Send to your devices" in the menu, the most common reason is that you are not signed into the same Google account on both devices. Check your account on both Chrome installations again. On your phone, tap your profile picture and look at the email address. On your computer, click your profile picture and check the email. They must match exactly.
If the accounts match and the option still does not appear, try signing out and signing back in on one device. On your phone, tap your profile picture, tap "Manage your Google Account", go to the "Security" tab, scroll down to "Your devices", and tap "Manage all devices". Find Chrome and tap it, then tap "Sign out". Sign back in with your Google account. On your computer, click your profile picture, click "Sign out", and sign back in.
If you are still not seeing the option after signing in again, restart Chrome on both devices. Close Chrome completely and open it again. The feature should appear within a few seconds.
What happens after the tab arrives
When a tab arrives on your computer, it opens in a new tab or window depending on what you were doing. If you were actively using Chrome, the tab opens in a new tab in your current window. If Chrome was closed, it opens in a new window with the tab. You can move the tab to a different window or position it however you like — it is a normal tab once it arrives.
The tab does not replace anything you were working on. If you had five tabs open before the tab arrived, you now have six. You can close the incoming tab without affecting anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?
No. Chrome sends tabs through Google's servers, so your devices can be anywhere — one at home, one at work, one on your phone in a coffee shop. As long as both are signed into the same Google account and have an internet connection, the feature works.
Can I send a tab to multiple devices at once?
No. The menu shows one device at a time. If you want the same tab on multiple computers, send it to one, then go back and send it to the next. It takes a few seconds per device.
What if I send a tab by accident?
The tab opens on the other device, but you can close it like any other tab. Closing it on one device does not affect the original tab on your phone or computer. There is no way to "unsend" a tab, but you can delete it from the receiving device immediately.
Will the tab stay open if I close Chrome on the sending device?
Yes. Once the tab arrives on your computer or phone, it stays there even if you close Chrome on the device you sent it from. The two tabs are independent after the send is complete.
Can I send a tab if I am not signed into my Google account?
No. You must be signed into the same Google account on both devices. If you use Chrome without signing in, the "Send to your devices" option does not appear.