Experiencing sync issues with Google Chrome can be frustrating, especially when your bookmarks and passwords are not syncing across devices. Whether you’re dealing with Chrome sync not working, Chrome bookmarks not syncing, or Chrome passwords not syncing, this guide will help you troubleshoot and fix Chrome sync problems. Chrome now describes sync as saving your info to your Google Account when you sign in, and the steps below use the current settings names from Google’s Get your bookmarks, passwords, and more on all your devices help page.
Quick Fixes to Try First
- Make sure you are signed in to Chrome with the right Google Account. Click your profile picture at the top right, or open
chrome://settings/peoplein the address bar. - Check what is saved to your account: go to Settings > You and Google, select your account name, and make sure the data you are missing (bookmarks, passwords and so on) is turned on.
- For a technical view of sync status, open
chrome://sync-internals. - Make sure your internet connection is active and stable.
- Wait a few minutes as sync can sometimes be delayed.
Windows, Mac, and Linux Fixes
Sign Out and Sign Back In
When you sign out, your info stays in your Google Account but is removed from this device. Anything you saved while signed out stays only on the device, so save it to your account first (see below).
- Open Chrome and click your profile picture at the top right.
- Select Sign out of Chrome. If your account shows an error, select Remove account from Chrome instead.
- Restart Chrome.
- Click your profile picture, select Sign in to Chrome, and sign back in with your Google account.
Save Info That Is Only on This Device
Bookmarks and other info you created while signed out are kept only on that device. To add them to your account, click your profile picture, select the Save in account option, choose what to save, and confirm.
Delete Your Chrome Data from Google’s Servers (Last Resort)
This is a destructive step. It deletes the Chrome data saved in your Google Account, so only use it if the server copy is broken or you forgot your passphrase. Export your passwords first so you can import them again.
- Go to the Chrome data in your account dashboard.
- At the bottom, select Delete data and confirm.
- Sign in to Chrome again so your devices can save their info back to your account.
Check What is Being Saved
- Go to Settings > You and Google and select your account name.
- Ensure bookmarks, passwords, and other data types are turned on.
- To sync open tabs and history, turn on History and tabs.
Clear Chrome Cache
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac).
- Select Cached images and files only.
- Click Delete data and restart Chrome.
Leave the other boxes unticked. If you are signed in, deleting history or autofill data here also removes it from your other devices and your Google Account.
Check for Conflicting Profiles
If you have multiple Chrome profiles, make sure you are looking in the profile that is signed in to the right account.
Update Chrome
- Go to
chrome://settings/help(or see how to update Chrome). - Install any pending updates.
- Restart the browser.
Check Passphrase Settings
- If you have set a passphrase, you need to enter it on every device where you are signed in.
- To see the setting, go to Settings > You and Google, select your account name, and at the bottom select Encryption options.
- If you forgot it, see Handling Passphrase Issues below.
Android Fixes
Check What Chrome Saves to Your Account
- Open Chrome, tap More > Settings, and tap the name of your account at the top.
- Choose what to save in your Google Account and make sure the missing data type is turned on.
Clear Chrome App Data
Clearing Chrome’s app data deletes everything Chrome keeps on the phone, including anything not yet saved to your account. Try the other fixes first.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Chrome (names vary by phone).
- Open Storage and clear the app’s data.
- Sign in to Chrome again.
Check Battery Optimization
Ensure Chrome is not battery optimized, as this can prevent background sync.
iOS Fixes
- Sign out and back into the Chrome app.
- Ensure Chrome has permission to use mobile data.
- Force close and reopen the Chrome app.
- If issues persist, reinstall the Chrome app.
Advanced Troubleshooting
- Check
chrome://sync-internalsfor a detailed sync status and any errors. - Try creating a new Chrome profile to isolate the problem.
- Verify that corporate or school policies are not blocking sync.
- Disable all extensions and test sync functionality.
- Try syncing in Chrome Safe Mode by disabling all extensions.
Handling Passphrase Issues
If you forgot your passphrase, the only way out is to delete your Chrome data from Google’s servers with the dashboard step above. Google warns that this deletes the data encrypted by your passphrase, signs you out on all your devices, and deletes your passwords from your Google Account and your device. Payment methods and addresses from Google Wallet are not affected. Export your passwords before you reset, then import them again afterwards.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most Chrome sync issues. Whether the problem lies with Chrome bookmarks not syncing or Chrome passwords not syncing, these solutions will help you get your data back on all your devices.