Google has always offered Chrome profiles as a way for people sharing devices to keep browser information separate. And while previous updates have focused on making login easier and improved theme customizations, there is no need to tamper with the broader profile experience. The latest Google update aims to make these custom spaces even more distinct from each other.
The new system, presented as a complete renewal of profiles, allows you to create and switch separate visual themes that are color-coded and include your own backgrounds. As usual, you can pick up these new looks from the Chrome web store. After creating the profiles, it should theoretically be easier to identify each one when you return to the browser.
Compared to the existing profiles for different people that you added to Chrome on a laptop, this new configuration is different in some ways. When creating a new profile, you will be asked to customize the appearance of the browser and choose your preferred color scheme from a selection. Themes are a visual hint that you’re in the right account, and Google told Engadget that “If you have multiple profiles set up, you’ll see a profile selector every time you restart Chrome.”
While the focus is on avoiding confusion between multiple Chrome users, it’s easy to imagine additional use cases for users who like to keep their work activity (including bookmarks and history) separate from their personal browsing. The update will be released for desktops in the coming weeks and also includes a reading list that allows you to save articles that you want to check out later.
Cherlynn Low contributed reporting.