Google Chrome to Support Multiple Browser Profile Sync

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An upcoming version of the Google Chrome browser will  let multiple users sync their data across multiple computers, helping improve web browsing experience when using different computers.

Google believes that data should be portable. This should extend not only to web-based applications, but also to preferences and settings implemented in a local setting or in a particular device. As such, the latest beta of Google Chrome includes a new feature: multiple profile syncing. With the new feature, Chrome installed on a single computer can contain multiple user profiles, which can also be synchronized with other devices.

Current Chrome versions let a user sign into the browser using one’s Gmail account, which will synchronize settings, preferences, bookmarks, extensions and apps, although this is only for a single user. The beta version will let multiple Chrome accounts on any copy of Chrome on the computer.

This can be useful when sharing computers, such as in a school or library setting, or when a family is sharing a computer at home, but prefer not to have multiple OS logins. Multiple account syncing can also be useful for users who prefer to keep different profiles for any reason (such as keeping work-related and personal browsing separate). This can also be particularly useful in Chromebooks, once ported to Google’s Chrome OS.

This can be accessed through Options, Personal Stuff, and by clicking “Add New User,” which then brings up a new instance of Chrome. A badge on the corner of the browser can be used to switch between users, just like switching OS user logins. The new feature is only available on the beta Chrome channel, though, and users running the stable version will have to wait for an update.