What logging out of Chrome actually does
Logging out of Chrome removes your Google account from the browser and stops syncing your bookmarks, passwords, history, and other data across your devices. When you log out, Chrome no longer remembers which websites you visit, what you search for, or what you type into forms. Your local browsing history stays on that computer unless you delete it separately.
Many people confuse logging out of Chrome with closing the browser or clearing cookies. They are different things. Closing Chrome does not log you out. Clearing cookies removes tracking data from websites but does not disconnect your Google account from the browser itself.
Key Takeaways
- Logging out of Chrome stops Google from syncing your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history to your account across devices.
- You can log out by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner and selecting "Sign out" — the exact location depends on your Chrome version.
- Logging out does not delete your local browsing history on that computer; you must delete it separately if you want it gone.
- If you share a computer, logging out prevents the next person from seeing your saved passwords and bookmarks.
How to find the sign-out button on Windows or Mac
Open Google Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. You will see a small circle or icon with your initial or profile picture. Click on it. A menu will drop down with several options, including "Sign out" or "Sign out of your Google Account" depending on your Chrome version.
If you do not see a profile picture in the top right, you may not be signed in to Chrome at all. In that case, your Google account is already disconnected from the browser, and no syncing is happening.
What happens after you sign out
Once you click "Sign out," Chrome will disconnect your Google account from the browser. Any bookmarks, passwords, or settings that were synced to your Google account will no longer update on this device. If you had saved passwords in Chrome, you will no longer see them auto-fill when you visit websites — you will need to type them in manually or use a password manager.
Your browsing history, cookies, and cached data remain on your computer. If you want to remove those as well, you can clear your browsing data by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac, then select what you want to delete and choose the time range.
Signing out on a shared or public computer
If you use a shared computer at home, work, or a library, logging out of Chrome is an important step before you leave. It prevents the next person from accessing your saved passwords, seeing your bookmarks, or viewing your browsing history. After you sign out, also clear your browsing data to remove cookies and cached files that websites use to track you.
On a public computer, consider using Chrome's Incognito mode instead of signing in at all. Incognito mode does not save your history, cookies, or passwords, and it closes automatically when you shut the window. You can open an Incognito window by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac.
The difference between signing out and clearing data
Signing out disconnects your Google account from Chrome but leaves your local browsing history, cookies, and cached data on the computer. Clearing browsing data removes that local information but does not sign you out of your Google account. You may want to do both, especially on a shared device.
If you sign out but do not clear your data, the next person using the computer can still see which websites you visited and what you searched for in the history. If you clear your data but do not sign out, your Google account remains connected, and your bookmarks and settings will continue to sync to your account on other devices.
Why you might want to stay signed in
Staying signed in to Chrome is convenient if you use the same computer and want your bookmarks, passwords, and settings to sync across your phone, tablet, and other computers. If you sign out, you lose that synchronization and have to manually set up bookmarks and re-enter passwords on each device.
The trade-off is that Google tracks your browsing activity while you are signed in. If you are concerned about your privacy, you can sign out of Chrome while still using Google Search or Gmail in a web browser — they are separate sign-ins. You can also turn off sync for specific data types without signing out completely by going to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out of Chrome delete my passwords?
No. Your passwords remain saved on your computer, but they will no longer auto-fill when you visit websites. If you want to delete saved passwords, go to Settings > Passwords, find the password you want to remove, and click the three dots next to it, then select "Remove."
Will signing out of Chrome sign me out of Gmail and Google Search?
No. Signing out of Chrome only disconnects your Google account from the browser itself. If you are using Gmail or Google Search in a web browser, you will remain signed in to those services. You would need to sign out of Gmail separately by clicking your profile picture on the Gmail page.
Can I sign out of Chrome on my phone?
Yes. On Android, open Chrome, tap your profile picture in the top right, then tap "Sign out." On iPhone, tap the three dots at the bottom right, go to Settings, tap your account name, and select "Sign out." The steps vary slightly between versions, but the profile picture or menu icon is always the starting point.
What if I forgot which Google account is signed in to Chrome?
Click the profile picture in the top right corner of Chrome. The menu will show the email address of the account currently signed in. If you want to switch to a different Google account instead of signing out, you can click "Add another account" and sign in with a different email address.