Chrome profiles behave like separate browser spaces on the same computer. Each profile can have its own Google Account, bookmarks, extensions, saved passwords, history, open tabs, theme, and settings. That keeps work and personal browsing from constantly mixing.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Chrome on Windows or Mac when you want work and personal accounts separated without signing in and out all day. Chrome mobile has profile-related account controls, but desktop profiles are more complete.
Create a new Chrome profile
A new profile does not change your existing one.
- Click your profile picture or profile circle in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Click Add, Add profile, or the plus icon.
- Choose Sign in if this profile should use another Google Account, or Continue without an account for a local-only profile.
- Pick a profile name, color, and avatar.
- Chrome opens a new window for that profile.
- Add bookmarks, extensions, passwords, and settings as needed.
To switch later, click the profile icon and choose the other profile. Each profile opens in its own window.
Pin a profile for quicker access
Separate shortcuts help when you switch several times a day.
- Open the profile you want quick access to.
- On Windows, right-click the Chrome taskbar icon while that profile window is active and pin it.
- On Mac, right-click Chrome in the Dock and choose Options > Keep in Dock.
- For more reliable profile-specific launching, use the profile menu and choose Create desktop shortcut if available.
More control
External links use the most recent profile
Chrome does not include a simple built-in setting that makes outside links always open in one chosen profile. They often open in the most recently used Chrome profile. A command-line shortcut with –profile-directory can help advanced users launch a specific profile.
Delete a profile carefully
Open the profile menu, use the three-dot menu beside a profile, and choose Delete. This removes local bookmarks, history, and passwords for that profile from the device, but it does not delete the Google Account itself or cloud data already synced.
Use Guest mode for one-time borrowing
Profiles are for ongoing separate setups. Guest mode is better when someone briefly uses your computer and you do not want their browsing to stay afterward.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Use Chrome with multiple people (2025)
- Google Chrome Help – Add a person or guest to Chrome (2025)
- Google Workspace Learning Center – Managing multiple accounts (2025)