For users who juggle personal and professional lives within the Google ecosystem, managing multiple Google accounts in Chrome can sometimes be a headache. This article explores how to effectively handle multiple Google accounts in Chrome, ensuring your preferred account is the default for your daily tasks.
Many users, like the individual in the initial query, encounter a frustrating problem: Chrome doesn't consistently remember the preferred default account across restarts. This is especially common when you're logged into Chrome with one account (for syncing bookmarks, history, etc.) while trying to use another as the default for Google apps like Gmail and Google Drive.
Chrome's "Identity consistency between browser and cookie jar" feature, introduced in Chrome 69, aimed to simplify the login process. However, it inadvertently caused issues for users with multiple accounts. Logging into any Google app automatically logged you into the Chrome browser with the same account.
Here are several approaches to manage your default Google account in Chrome. Note that some of these methods may depend on your Chrome version and operating system.
chrome://flags/#account-consistency into your Chrome address bar and press Enter.Note: This flag might not be available in newer Chrome versions. Google has experimented with different variations of this setting, such as "Enabled Dice (fix auth errors)," but these may also be phased out.
If the above method fails, consider leveraging Chrome's profile feature:
While this approach means managing separate browser windows, it offers the most reliable way to keep your accounts distinct and avoid default account conflicts. This is a recommended best practice to avoid confusion.
As mentioned in the original query, some users have found success using the Brave browser. Brave offers more granular control over account management and may retain the desired default account behavior that some users miss from older Chrome versions.
Another suggestion involves using Chromium, the open-source project that forms the basis of Google Chrome.
sudo apt-get install chromium-browser on Debian/Ubuntu).By using Chromium for one Google account and Chrome for another, you can effectively separate your browsing sessions and avoid conflicts.
Managing multiple Google accounts in Chrome requires understanding Chrome's account handling mechanisms and adapting your approach as needed. While Google's efforts to simplify the login process can sometimes create challenges, the solutions outlined above should help you maintain control over your default Google account and streamline your browsing experience.
