If you use more than one Google account, or look after more than one website, Google Chrome profiles keep everything separate. A Chrome profile (sometimes called a Chrome user or a separate browser account) has its own bookmarks, saved passwords, history and logins. This guide shows you how to add, switch between, rename and remove Chrome profiles on Mac and Windows.
What is a Chrome profile and why use one?
Think of a Chrome profile as a separate browser window with its own memory. You can be logged into your work Google account in one profile and your personal Google account in another, at the same time, without them getting mixed up.
This is especially helpful when you're:
- Setting up Google Workspace email, Google Analytics or Google Search Console for your Rocketspark website, and Google keeps picking the wrong account
- Keeping work and personal browsing apart on a shared computer
How to add a new Chrome profile
These steps are the same on Mac and Windows.
Step 1: Open the profile menu
Open Google Chrome. In the top right corner, next to the address bar, click your Profile icon. It shows your photo, your initial, or a grey person icon.
Step 2: Choose Add Chrome profile
In the menu that opens, click Add Chrome profile. A new window opens to set up the profile.
Step 3: Sign in, or continue without an account
You have two options:
- Sign in with the Google account you want to use in this profile, for example your Google Workspace email. Chrome fills in the profile name for you and syncs your bookmarks and passwords across devices.
- Continue without an account if you'd rather not sign in. The profile works the same way, but everything stays on this computer only.
Step 4: Name the profile and pick a colour
Give the profile a name you'll recognise, like "Work" or the name of your business, and choose a photo and colour theme. A different colour for each profile helps you tell at a glance which one you're in.
Step 5: Start browsing
Your new profile opens in its own Chrome window. Anything you do here, including logins, stays in this profile.
[STORYLANE: Add a Chrome profile from start to finish. Start at the Profile icon, click Add Chrome profile, sign in with a Google account, name it and pick a colour, land in the new window. Approx 5-6 steps. Sits after the written steps as a "watch me do it" option.]
Switch between Chrome profiles
- Click your Profile icon in the top right of Chrome.
- Choose the profile you want from the list.
The profile opens in a new window. You can keep windows from different profiles open side by side.
Rename a profile or change its colour
To change the profile you're currently using:
- Click your Profile icon.
- Click Customise profile.
- Update the name, photo or colour theme. Changes save automatically.
To change a different profile:
- Click your Profile icon.
- Under Other Chrome profiles, click Manage Chrome profiles.
- On the profile you want to change, click More (the three dots), then Edit.
- Update the name, photo or colour theme. Changes save automatically.
Remove a Chrome profile
⚠ Removing a profile deletes its bookmarks, history, saved passwords and settings from this computer. If the profile was signed in to a Google account with sync turned on, that data is still saved in the Google account.
- Click your Profile icon.
- Under Other Chrome profiles, click Manage Chrome profiles.
- On the profile you want to remove, click More (the three dots), then Delete.
- Click Delete again to confirm.
Tips and things to watch out for
- Give each profile its own colour. It's the quickest way to check you're in the right one before connecting Google Analytics or Search Console.
- Set up a profile for each Google Workspace email address. That way Gmail, Google Drive and Google Calendar always open in the right account.
- An incognito window is not the same as a profile. Incognito forgets everything when you close it, while a profile remembers your logins.
- Removing a profile can't be undone on this computer, so check you've saved any passwords you need first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop Google logging me into the wrong account? Create a separate Chrome profile for each Google account. Each profile only knows about the account signed in to it, so Google can't pick the wrong one.
Can I use two Google accounts at the same time in Chrome? Yes. Open each account in its own profile and keep both windows open side by side.
Do I need a Google account to create a Chrome profile? No. Choose Continue without an account during setup. Your bookmarks and passwords will stay on this computer only.
Will deleting a Chrome profile delete my Google account or emails? No. Deleting a profile only removes that profile's data from this computer. Your Google account, emails and anything synced to it are not affected.
Can I have separate profiles in Safari, Edge or Firefox? Yes, most modern browsers have their own version of profiles. The steps are different, so check the help guides for your browser.