Chrome Browser Cloud Management Complete Guide
Chrome Browser Cloud Management (CBCM) provides a comprehensive solution for businesses to manage Chrome browsers across various devices from the cloud. This guide will walk you through understanding CBCM, setting it up, creating organizational units, applying policies and extensions remotely, and utilizing reporting and compliance dashboards.
Quick Fixes to Try First
- Ensure you have the latest version of Chrome installed. Navigate to Settings > About Chrome to check for updates.
- Restart your device to clear any temporary glitches.
- Check your internet connection to ensure connectivity.
CBCM Overview and Pricing
Chrome Browser Cloud Management provides centralized management capabilities for Chrome browsers. Businesses can enforce policies, install extensions, and gather reports across different platforms. CBCM is free for organizations using Google Workspace, and standalone pricing options are available for others. More details on pricing can be found on the official Google Chrome Help page.
Setting Up Cloud Management
To set up Chrome Browser Cloud Management, follow these steps:
- Log into the Google Admin console.
- Navigate to Devices > Chrome > Settings.
- Select Users & Browsers to manage browser settings.
- Click on Manage to begin setting up CBCM.
Creating Organizational Units
Organizational units help group users and devices to apply specific settings. Here’s how to create them:
- In the Google Admin console, go to Directory > Organizational units.
- Click Create Organizational Unit.
- Enter the name and description for the unit.
- Click Create to finalize.
Applying Policies and Extensions Remotely
To apply policies and manage extensions remotely:
- Go to Devices > Chrome > Apps & extensions in the Google Admin console.
- Select Users & Browsers or Managed Guest Sessions.
- Click Add app or Add by URL to manage extensions.
- Adjust policies in Devices > Chrome > Settings > Users & browsers.
Reporting and Compliance Dashboards
Access reporting and compliance dashboards to monitor usage and compliance:
- Navigate to Devices > Chrome > Reports in the Admin console.
- Select the type of report you need, such as Device Reports or User Reports.
- Customize the report parameters and click Generate.
Platform-Specific Instructions
Windows, macOS, and Linux
For these platforms, you can manage Chrome using the Google Admin console as described above. To access Chrome’s settings directly, use chrome://settings. You can clear browsing data via Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data or use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac).
Android and iOS
On mobile devices, CBCM allows control over Chrome settings through managed configurations:
- Ensure devices are enrolled in your organization’s mobile device management (MDM).
- Use your MDM to push configuration policies to Chrome on Android and iOS.
Conclusion
Chrome Browser Cloud Management offers robust tools for centralized Chrome browser management across multiple platforms. By following the steps outlined in this guide, organizations can effectively manage Chrome policies, extensions, and compliance reports from the cloud. For further assistance, refer to the Google Chrome Help Center.