To share one computer as a family, give each person their own Chrome profile: click your profile picture at the top right, then Add Chrome profile. Each profile keeps its own bookmarks, history, passwords and settings. Use Guest mode for visitors, and for children sign in with a Google Account managed by Family Link. Steps for each are below, from Google’s Chrome profiles help.
How to Create Profiles for Each User in Chrome
Setting up multiple user profiles in Chrome is an effective way to manage a shared computer among family members. Each profile can have its own bookmarks, settings, and history.
Steps for Creating a New Profile on Windows, macOS, and Linux:
- Open Chrome and click on the profile icon at the top-right corner.
- Select Add Chrome profile.
- Choose whether to sign in with a Google Account. If you do, the profile’s bookmarks, passwords and settings are saved to that account and available on the person’s other devices.
- Choose a name, photo, and color scheme for the new profile.
Using Guest Mode for Visitors
Guest mode is perfect for visitors who need temporary access to your Chrome browser without seeing or changing your data or settings.
How to Enable Guest Mode:
- Click on the profile icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Select Open Guest profile.
- To exit, close the Guest window, or click the profile icon and select Close guest.
Setting Up Supervised Profiles for Kids
Chrome’s settings have no “Create a supervised user” checkbox. Instead, a child signs in to Chrome with a Google Account that a parent manages with Family Link. Then you can block or allow sites and Incognito mode is turned off for them.
Steps to Create a Supervised Profile:
- If your child doesn’t have one yet, create a Google Account for your child with Family Link.
- In Chrome, add a new profile for your child as described above, and sign in with your child’s Google Account.
- Open the Family Link app, select your child, and tap Controls > Google Chrome and Web to choose a content filter or allow and block specific sites. Our guide to parental controls covers more.
Google points out that on Windows, Mac and Linux a child can sign out of Chrome or switch to another profile, where Family Link settings don’t apply, and may have access to other browsers where those settings don’t apply either.
Profile Switching Shortcuts in Chrome
Quickly switch between user profiles using keyboard shortcuts, making it convenient to manage different profiles without hassle.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Profile Switching:
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + M to open the profile menu and select your desired profile.
- Mac: Use Cmd + Shift + M to access the profile menu.
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Open Profile Menu | Ctrl + Shift + M | Cmd + Shift + M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sync Chrome profiles across different devices?
Yes. A profile that is signed in to a Google Account saves its bookmarks, passwords and settings to that account, so the same info shows up wherever that person signs in to Chrome.
How do I delete a Chrome user profile?
Click the profile icon, select Manage Chrome profiles, then at the top right of the profile you want to remove, select More > Delete, and confirm with Delete.
How can I manage supervised profiles?
You manage your child’s Chrome settings in the Google Family Link app, under Controls > Google Chrome and Web.
What happens if I accidentally delete a profile?
Deleting a profile erases its bookmarks, history, passwords and other settings from the computer. If the profile was signed in to a Google Account, the info saved to that account is still there: add a new profile and sign in again to get it back.