How to Switch Google Accounts in Chrome for iOS

Switching between Google accounts in Chrome on an iPhone or iPad can be surprisingly complicated. Last week, I wanted to have access to passwords stored in another Google account. So adding the account was a breeze. However, make the browser use it. Not really. Indeed, switching between Google accounts in Chrome was painful on iOS.

After changing Chrome settings for a while, I finally managed to switch accounts. The whole process was far too complicated for something that should have been simple.

It becomes easier after doing it once. So let me show you what you need to do to switch accounts in Chrome for iOS.

Change Google Account in Chrome for iOS

To switch Google accounts in Chrome for iOS, you must first sign out of the account the browser is connected to and synchronize your data at this time. Once you’ve done that, you can easily add and switch to another Google Account. Chrome also remembers all of your Google accounts, so you won’t have to add them – or sign in from scratch – every time you want to switch accounts.

Warning: Switching to another Google Account endangers your browsing data (passwords, favorites, etc.). Therefore, be sure to sync them with the Google account you are currently signed in to before proceeding. Go to Chrome Settings> Sync & Google Services> Manage Sync to check your Chrome Sync settings.

Step 1: Open the Chrome menu, then tap Settings. On the Settings screen that follows, tap the Google account listed above.

Note: Otherwise, tap the profile icon in a new Chrome tab, and then tap the Google account at the top of the Sync and Google Services screen.

Step 2: Tap the option labeled “Logout and turn off synchronization,” then tap Logout to confirm. Once you are logged out, you will be returned to the main browser settings area.

Step 3: Tap Choose another account, and then tap Add account.

Step 4: Sign in with the credentials of the Google account you want to switch to, then tap the “Yes, I’m signed in” option.

Note: Have you ever connected another Google account to Chrome? If so, you can simply select it without having to log in again.

Step 5: Decide whether or not to merge the navigation data already present on the device – linked to the previous Google account – with the account to which you will switch.

If you want to merge your data, tap Combine my data. Otherwise, tap Keep my data separate. In my case, I prefer the latter. Finally, tap Continue.

Reminder: Selecting the Keep my data separate option will delete all navigation data locally on the device. If you have not synchronized your data, be sure to do so before making the change.

You are now done switching Google Accounts in Chrome for iOS – the Browser Settings screen should say so. Chrome will synchronize your browsing data with the account you just switched to. You can manage the types of data synced there via Chrome Settings> Sync and Google Services> Manage sync.

In addition, all Google apps and web services that you access through the browser will also be connected with the Google account you just switched from now.

If you want to revert to your old Google Account, just repeat the above steps. Since the account is already added to Chrome, you won’t have to log in again, so the whole process should be much faster.

You are not limited to switching between two accounts. You can also add and switch to any additional Google accounts you may have. Remember to synchronize your passwords, favorites, etc. with the corresponding Google account if you plan to keep your browsing data separate between accounts. This is especially important if you share the browser with someone else.

If you’d like to delete any of the Google accounts you’ve added, first visit the Chrome Settings panel. Tap the Google account you’re signed in to and you’ll see a list of all the Google accounts you’ve added to Chrome. Select the account you want to delete, then press “Delete account from this device”.

Ridiculously counter-intuitive

Switching accounts in Chrome on iPhone and iPad is ridiculously counterintuitive. Other Google apps such as Gmail and Google Photos allow you to easily switch between accounts with a few clicks. So why not Chrome?

Perhaps it’s the fact that Google doesn’t want you to accidentally sync data to the wrong account. That seems to be the only plausible reason.

Either way, a more streamlined procedure that doesn’t require you to cycle through multiple menus is guaranteed. Make it happen, Google.

Then:

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