How to Unsync Google Accounts

VeePN Research Lab

Sep 26, 2023

6 min read

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The ability to sync data across multiple devices is handy. However, if information you didn’t want to share starts showing up where it shouldn’t, you may need to take action. If you use a Google account that’s oversharing with other devices, the time to unsync has arrived. Let’s discuss Google sync and how you can disable the feature in Chrome and other places.

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What is sync in Google?

Google sync could refer to any of the company’s services that synchronize information across multiple devices. Android, Chrome, and Gmail all offer sync options, but behavior varies with each platform. Generally, Android syncs OS information, Chrome syncs browser data, and Gmail syncs mail and notifications.

Google Sync

Previously, Google Sync was a service designed for businesses and educational institutions. The system utilized Microsoft Exchange technology, and allowed users to synchronize mail, contacts, and calendars across multiple mobile devices. Google has since discontinued the product.

Sync in Android

Sync in Android allows you to synchronize information on your mobile device with other phones or tablets using the same Google account.

Here’s a comprehensive list of the items Android syncs with Google accounts:

People details
Calendar
Contacts
Keep notes
Google Play Movies & TV
Drive
Gmail

You can locate all Android sync information in Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts. From here, you can tap the account you want to view, select Sync account, and see all of the relevant settings.

Sync in Gmail

Sync in Gmail is a feature of the Android mobile app. With synchronization enabled, notifications and new emails appear automatically. If you have sync turned off, you’ll need to manually tell Gmail when to check for new mail.

Here’s how you check your Gmail sync settings:

Launch the Gmail app on your Android device
Tap the More options (hamburger)menu and select Settings

Tap your account and scroll down to Sync Gmail

From here, you can tick or untick the setting, depending on your preference. Having sync turned off may be useful if you want to conserve mobile data and battery life. Constantly checking for and downloading new messages can use excessive data and drain your phone’s battery quicker. If you’re not particularly attached to Gmail, you may want to consider some alternative email providers.

Sync in Google Chrome

Sync in Chrome saves data, such as browsing history, bookmarks, passwords, payment details, and other settings to Google’s servers. Enabling the feature allows you to access this information on any device logged in to the same Google account in the Chrome browser.

Here’s a comprehensive list of items that Google Chrome syncs:

Apps
Bookmarks
Extensions
History
Settings
Theme
Reading list
Open tabs
Passwords
Addresses and phone numbers
Google Pay payment methods

Evidently, syncing is a useful feature, and having access to important items on all of your devices is convenient. However, trusting your private data to Google may not be in your best interest. Sure, the tech giant already tracks your habits for advertising purposes, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up additional information so easily.

Do you know which devices are syncing your private data to Google’s servers? Have you accidentally enabled the feature and sent information somewhere it shouldn’t have gone? If you’re unsure, we can help you check your sync settings and unsync your Google account if needed.

How to unsync Google Chrome

If you don’t want all of your browser data syncing to your Google account, you can choose to unsync Google Chrome. The steps required are slightly different in each OS, so we’ll run through the specific process for each platform. If you’re tired of Chrome invading your privacy, you may want to consider an alternative browser.

Unsync Google Chrome in macOS

Here’s how to unsync your Google account from Chrome on a Mac:

Launch Chrome
Click the More options menu in the top right corner and select Settings

Click Turn off beside your account

Tick Clear bookmarks, history, passwords, and more from this device if appropriate and click Turn off

Unsync Google Chrome in Windows

Here’s how to unsync your Google account from Chrome on a Windows PC:

Launch Chrome
Click the More options menu in the top right corner and select Settings

Click Turn off beside your account

Tick Clear bookmarks, history, passwords, and more from this device if appropriate and click Turn off

Unsync Google Chrome in iOS

Here’s how to unsync your Google account from Chrome in iOS:

Launch Chrome
Tap the More options menu and select Settings

Tap your account

Tap Sign out

Unsync Google Chrome in Android

Here’s how to unsync your Google account from Chrome in Android:

Launch Chrome
Tap the More options menu and select Settings

Tap Sync

Tap Sign out and turn off sync

How to remove synced bookmarks from Chrome

Within your browser settings, you can choose which items Chrome includes in a sync. If you wish to unsync bookmarks, you can individually exclude them from the process. By customizing your sync settings, you can choose exactly what Chrome attaches to your Google account.

Unsync and remove bookmarks in desktop Chrome

Here’s how to unsync and delete bookmarks in the Chrome desktop app:

Go to Settings > Sync and Google services
Click Manage what you sync

Chrome desktop Sync and Google services settings

Select Customize sync and switch off Bookmarks

Click the More options menu, select Bookmarks, and open Bookmarks Manager

Select the bookmarks you want to remove and click Delete

Unsync and remove bookmarks in mobile Chrome

Here’s how to unsync and delete bookmarks in the Chrome mobile app:

Go to Settings > Sync
Switch off Sync everything and untick Bookmarks

Tap the More options menu, select Bookmarks, and find and delete the items you want to remove

How to unlink Gmail accounts

You can unlink Gmail accounts from your browser by going to Google.com, clicking your profile picture, and selecting Sign out of all accounts. Once you complete the logout process, you’re free to sign in with any Google accounts you do want to use.

If you’re using an Android device, you can remove any Google accounts in Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts. All you need to do is tap the account you want to delete and select Remove account.

Unsync to stop sharing private data with other devices

Sometimes we set up tools like Google sync without understanding exactly what they do. But you may soon notice that something’s wrong when private information starts showing up where it shouldn’t.

Unsyncing in Chrome will effectively stop Google from sharing bookmarks, browser history, and other sensitive details with additional devices. Whenever you enable a feature, you should always read the fine print and try to understand as much as possible before agreeing.