Managing Accounts

Managing Google Accounts Through Your Chrome Browser

You can log into any of the individual apps (Gmail, Drive, etc.) and have access to other default apps in your account through the Apps Launcher, as described in the Getting Started lesson on logging in. However, you will limit the power of Chrome if you do not sign into the browser itself.

Below, you will find resources for:

  • Signing into the Chrome browser
  • Managing multiple Google accounts through Chrome

Once you are signed in (directions are below), you will be able to enjoy all the features, such as:

  • Bookmarked sites across all devices
  • Browsing history
  • Extensions (programs which work from the browser and appear as icons in between the address bar and the hot dog menu)
  • Additional apps (which you may choose based on your needs)
  • Themes (background design elements)

In essence, logging into Chrome gives you full access to the operating system, and your browser becomes the "desktop" for all things Google. Additionally, as long as you are logged into a computer as yourself or are using your own computer, you never need to log out of Chrome and can easily manage multiple Google accounts (work, personal, etc.), as shown below.

Logging into Google Apps vs. Logging into Chrome

This tutorial will show you the difference between logging into GApps vs. Chrome. For clarification, you can still log into Chrome if you are already logged into GApps, but if you log into Chrome first, you won't need to log into GApps separately. You will have access to everything.

Below this tutorial, you will find a video which shows a new way to log into Chrome and manage multiple accounts.

Logging_into_Chrome-not_just_GApps

To download or save a copy of this document, click HERE.

Managing Multiple Accounts Through Chrome

Most people switch accounts by clicking on the icon next to their username in the top right corner near the Apps Launcher, but this causes confusion because multiple accounts are being used on different tabs within the same browser window. To manage multiple Google accounts more effectively, you can switch accounts from your Chrome ID, which will open each account in its own window with a unique ID at the top to indicate which account is currently in use. You can have multiple Chrome browser windows open at the same time, each with their own settings, bookmarks, extensions, and active tabs. The video will also explain some of the other settings available for your Chrome browser.

This video shows the steps for managing multiple accounts in Chrome. Some notes are specific to SUSD, but overall the information applies to all accounts.

Note that Google routinely updates the look of their products , so the icons may look different than they do in the video or even this image.

Next, move on to Customizing Chrome.