Need to move your Chrome bookmarks, passwords, and settings to a new user account on Windows or Mac? This guide will show you how to transfer your entire Chrome profile between user accounts while maintaining all your personalized data.
Quick Overview
- Time Required: 5-10 minutes
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Works On: Windows & macOS
- Data Transferred: Bookmarks, passwords, history, extensions, and settings
What Gets Transferred
- Bookmarks and favorites
- Saved passwords
- Browsing history
- Extensions and their settings
- Autofill data
- Custom themes
- Search engines
- Chrome settings
Windows Transfer Guide
Locate Original Chrome Profile
- Navigate to the old user’s folder:
C:\Users\[OLD-USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data- The main profile is usually named “Default”
- If you have multiple profiles, they’ll be named “Profile 1”, “Profile 2”, etc.
Transfer Steps (Windows)
- Close Chrome completely on both accounts
- On the new account, open Chrome once and then close it
- Navigate to the new user’s Chrome folder:
C:\Users\[NEW-USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data- Delete the “Default” folder in the new location
- Copy the “Default” folder from the old user profile
- Paste it into the new user’s Chrome User Data folder
Quick Access to AppData
- Press Windows + R
- Type
%localappdata% - Navigate to Google\Chrome\User Data
macOS Transfer Guide
Locate Original Chrome Profile
- Navigate to the old user’s folder:
/Users/[OLD-USERNAME]/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome- Look for the “Default” folder or numbered profiles
Transfer Steps (macOS)
- Quit Chrome on both accounts
- Open Chrome once on the new account, then quit
- Navigate to the new user’s Chrome folder:
/Users/[NEW-USERNAME]/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome- Replace the “Default” folder with the one from the old account
Important Considerations
Before Transfer
- Ensure Chrome is completely closed
- Check if you have sufficient storage space
- Note any installed extensions
- Sign out of Chrome on the old account (optional)
After Transfer
- Open Chrome and verify your data
- Check if all extensions are working
- Ensure sync is properly configured
- Test saved passwords and autofill
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Profile in Use Error
- Open Task Manager/Activity Monitor
- End all Chrome-related processes
- Try the transfer again
Missing Data After Transfer
- Verify you copied the entire profile folder
- Check if the folder permissions are correct
- Ensure you’re copying to the correct location
Corrupted Profile
If Chrome won’t start after transfer:
- Rename the transferred profile folder to “Default.old”
- Launch Chrome to create a new profile
- Transfer data gradually using Chrome’s built-in import tools
Pro Tips
Backup First
- Create a copy of the original profile folder
- Store it in a safe location
- Use it as a backup if something goes wrong
Multiple Profiles
- Transfer each profile folder separately
- Maintain the original profile naming convention
- Update the Local State file if necessary
Security Considerations
- Update folder permissions after transfer
- Review saved passwords after moving
- Consider re-authenticating sensitive extensions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will this transfer my Chrome sync settings?
A: Yes, but you may need to sign in again to reactivate sync.
Q: Can I transfer to a different operating system?
A: While possible, it’s recommended to use Chrome’s built-in sync feature for cross-platform transfers.
Q: What if I can’t access the old user folder?
A: You’ll need administrator permissions or use Chrome’s sync feature instead.
Alternative Methods
Using Chrome Sync
- Sign in to Chrome on the old account
- Enable sync for desired data
- Sign in on the new account
- Wait for sync to complete
Export/Import Specific Data
- Bookmarks: Use Chrome’s bookmark manager to export/import
- Passwords: Export from Chrome settings
- Extensions: Reinstall manually or sync
Conclusion
Transferring Chrome data between user accounts is straightforward when you know where to find the profile folders. Always ensure Chrome is fully closed during the transfer and maintain a backup of your original profile for safety.
