Chrome uses whichever Google account you signed in with first

When you sign into Chrome with a Google account, that account becomes your default. Chrome uses it to sync your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across devices. If you signed in with the wrong account, or you want to switch to a different one, you can change which account is default by signing out of Chrome entirely and signing back in with the account you want instead.

The process takes about two minutes. You will lose access to synced data from your old account on this device, but nothing is deleted from Google itself — you can sign back in with the old account anytime and see everything again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default Google account in Chrome is the one you signed in with first, and Chrome syncs bookmarks and passwords using that account.
  • To change your default account, you must sign out of Chrome completely, then sign back in with the account you want to use instead.
  • Signing out removes synced data from this device only — nothing is deleted from your Google account itself.
  • If you use multiple Google accounts, you can add them all to Chrome without making one the default, but only one account can sync your data.

Sign out of Chrome completely

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. You will see a circle with your profile picture or initial inside it. Click that circle.

A menu will drop down. At the bottom, you will see "Sign out of Chrome". Click it. Chrome will ask you to confirm — click "Sign out" again. This removes your current Google account from Chrome on this device.

After you sign out, you will see a message saying "You are signed out of Chrome". Your bookmarks and passwords are still saved in your Google account online, but Chrome is no longer using them on this computer.

Sign back in with your new default account

In the same top right corner, click the circle again. This time you will see "Sign in to Chrome". Click it.

Chrome will open a Google sign-in page. Enter the email address and password for the Google account you want to use as your default. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for that account, you will need to complete that step as well.

After you sign in, Chrome will ask whether you want to sync your data. Click "Yes, I'm in" to turn on syncing. This means Chrome will now use this account to save your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across all your devices where you are signed into Chrome with this account.

What happens to your old account's data

When you sign out of Chrome, the bookmarks and passwords from your old account disappear from this device. They are not deleted — they are still in your old Google account. If you sign back in with that account later, you will see them again.

If you want to keep bookmarks from your old account, export them before you sign out. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right, go to "Bookmarks", then "Bookmark manager". Click the three dots in the bookmark manager and select "Export bookmarks". Save the file somewhere you can find it. After you sign in with your new account, you can import that file the same way.

Using multiple Google accounts in Chrome without changing your default

If you want to keep your current default account but also access another Google account, you do not have to sign out. Instead, you can add a second profile to Chrome. Each profile can have its own default Google account, bookmarks, and passwords.

Click the circle in the top right and select "Add another person". Chrome will ask you to name the new profile and choose an icon. After you create it, Chrome will open a new window for that profile. Sign into that window with your second Google account. Now you have two separate Chrome profiles — one for each account — and you can switch between them by clicking the circle and selecting the profile name.

If you forgot which account is your default

Click the circle in the top right corner. The name and email address shown at the top of the menu is your default account. If you see "Sign in to Chrome" instead, you are not signed in to any account.

You can also check by clicking the three vertical dots in the top right, going to "Settings", and selecting "You and Google" on the left. If you are signed in, your account name and email will appear at the top of that page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my passwords if I change my default account?

No. Your passwords are saved in your Google account online. When you sign out of Chrome, they disappear from this device, but they are still in your old Google account. Sign back in with that account anytime and they will reappear.

Can I have two Google accounts syncing at the same time in Chrome?

No. Only one account can be your default and sync your data. If you need to use two accounts regularly, create a second Chrome profile for the second account. Each profile has its own default account and its own set of bookmarks and passwords.

What if I do not remember the password for my new default account?

Go to accounts.google.com and click "Forgot password?" Enter the email address for the account. Google will send you a recovery link to your backup email or phone number. Follow the steps to reset your password, then sign into Chrome with the new password.

Does changing my default account affect my Gmail or Google Drive?

No. Your Gmail and Google Drive are tied to your Google account itself, not to Chrome. Changing which account is default in Chrome does not change which Gmail inbox or Drive you see when you go to those websites.

Can I sign into Chrome without making an account my default?

No. When you sign into Chrome with a Google account, that account automatically becomes your default and Chrome starts syncing with it. If you want to use Chrome without syncing, stay signed out.