Google Chrome

Why use (and sign into) Chrome?

1) Because you know that everything you will use in your classes has been tested on it. We can't test every website and every online app on every single browser but we know what we use WILL work on Chrome


2) Because you can take advantage of helpful quick link bookmarks that are built into all student chrome browsers. Anybody who signs into the Chrome browser as with a Blackpool Sixth account will get these bookmarks - they will save you time with all sorts of things from printing, to finding your subject websites, to doing research and lots more.


3) If you sign into chrome on more than one browser (i.e. on your laptop and also on a desktop machine in college) you can pick up your history and tabs from where you left off. Any bookmarks you make will transfer to both devices with your account on them. If you logged into Chrome on your phone or tablet (it's available for almost all devices), you'd also have all the same things there.


4) If you aren't a Chrome user (i.e. you use Safari, Edge, Chromium or other browsers) or even a Chrome 'hater' that's absolutely fine! We don't think Chrome is 'the best' or anything like that - it's just what we use. However, think about how helpful it would be to have all your own stuff on your choice of browser and all your college stuff on another...


5) Chrome will remember certain information and make logging onto things so much easier (if you are signed in) - this will include the WiFi and various websites or online services you'll use in your studies.


I've got a Chromebook! I have to use Chrome! Why are you telling me this?


We strongly advise you to make a new account for college on the chromebook in order to make things much easier for yourself. It will keep your personal stuff separate from your college work


I already use Chrome though and am signed in as myself on my Mac or PC and I don't want to sign out and lose all my stuff!


Don't panic - you can have multiple chrome profiles in the same browser (we don't recommend this on a chromebook though - it's better to sign in as a separate user on them because of how they work)


What about computers that aren't mine?


Signing into a browser should generally only be done on your own technology in general BUT because of the way your profiles are managed on college machines it's OK to sign into Chrome on the computers you log into (e.g. the FYI and classrooms) If you do - your login details for online tools will work when you use these and you'll be able to access everything (bookmarks, history etc) from your own device really easily.

Signing into Chrome

For Chromebook users, simply signing in when you start up your device will work - (as long as you accept the permissions to sync the account)

If you have a chromebook from college, you are all set as soon as you log in. If you have your own Chromebook, you should 'add a new user' on the start up screen - this will not affect your own account! Click the link for more details of how you can use multiple accounts at the same time on your Chromebook.

For users of Mac or PC's the full instructions are linked here

The key part is below:

To sign in and turn on sync, you'll need a Google Account. (this is your college blackpoolsixth.ac.uk email account)

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.

  2. At the top right, click Profile (this is the little greyed out figure of a person if you are not signed in)

  3. Sign in to your Google Account. (using the blackpoolsixth.ac.uk email address and your password)

  4. If you want to sync your info across all your devices (which you probably do!) click Turn on sync -> Turn on.

You should now be able to access college bookmarks and not need to log in every time you open a new Classroom, Drive or other Google page.

BUT WHAT IF YOU ARE ALREADY LOGGED INTO CHROME WITH YOUR OWN ACCOUNT?

If you want to sync more than one account or you share your computer with others, learn how to add a profile (full instructions) in Chrome. Again, key points are below...

Add a new profile to a browser where you are already logged in:

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.

  2. At the top right, click Profile (this will be your account picture or a letter)

  3. Click Add.

  4. If you choose to sync to your Google Account (you should!), your profile name will automatically be your Account name.

  5. Choose a name, photo and colour scheme.

If you choose to turn sync on in Chrome with a Google Account for the new profile, your bookmarks, history, passwords and other settings will sync automatically. (again, you should do this)

To switch to another profile

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.

  2. At the top right, click Profile .

  3. Choose the profile that you want to switch to.

What if this doesn't work? Should I give up?

No! Come and see Tech Support (through the doors pictured below on the Ground floor of the Brock building) and we'll help you get set up.