How To Switch Between Chromebook Users With A Keyboard Shortcut

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When I first started using Chromebooks after years of working on macOS, there was one part of my workflow that was missing: the ability to log into multiple Chrome browsers with separate Google accounts. On macOS, this allowed me to keep things like bookmarks, saved passwords, payment methods, and extensions separate and distinct for my work and personal accounts. But I have found a workaround that I’ve been using for some time now that allows me to easily switch between signed-in users with a simple keyboard shortcut on my Chromebook. Hope you all find this helpful!

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[JeffWilliamson]

This video couldn't be more perfectly timed... I was just wondering about how this could be done earlier this week.

[KGingeri]

One more note about adding multi user accounts on Chrome OS... The first user signed in is the only one that will be able to use Linux or Android apps. So I have a 'main' user I sign into first that has Linux and Android apps set up. I don't have them set up for all my other users as well - saves space.

[Alipooley]

This is literally the biggest issue I had with Chrome OS, I extensively use both home and work chrome sign ins and swap between the two multiple times during the day. This shortcut is amazing!

[KGingeri]

If you want both browsers in the same desktop, you can also right-click the window header and move it to a different signed in users desktop. Now you don't even need to use Ctrl-Alt-, . However, that desktop's Files app still only points to the logged in users account. To share files between users, I copy file to my memory card (available to all uses active - even Linux, if you share it).

[msittig]

One more thing to note is that all logged in users share the same clipboard, so you can copy text, images and even files between accounts easily.

[RemGb]

Thank you. Helped my daughter who uses it to switch between school and personal accounts... 🙏

[super]

Before you click your avatar, you have to sign out. Then click "Add Person" at the bottom left of your screen. Then login to your work account. Now you can sign into your personal account and click the avatar icon.

[RalphCopley]

Dude, thanks for posting this! A serious time saver.

[jjweichert]

So weird, but after updating to Chrome OS 89 today when I click on my profile picture icon (in the status area) to get to the ability to sign in with another user, nothing pops up. Is this the case for anyone else?

[ashleytaylor]

I don't have the "sign in another user" option. I have a new acer chromebook

[vince]

When I first started I made two completely separate sign in accounts, one for work and a private one, and then in the end I did the exact opposite to you, and made one main account and added my work account, since the two worlds overlap a lot and I wanted both right there at my fingertips. Sometimes I do use separate desktops, but mainly two windows with their own tabs does the trick for me.
Nice video though, I didn't realize it was so easy two switch between two accounts like that using the shortcut.

[billcunninghame]

Sweet! Though I've used multiple users for quite a while, I wasn't aware of the shortcut keys to switch between users. Thanks - and thanks for the suggestion for a shared Downloads folder.

[ras]

03:05. The avatar is missing from my new Chromebook. Thus it's not providing an option to sign-in more than one account at a time. What to do?

[AndalusiaMasad]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[mclyker]

You are a gentleman and a scholar. Love this!

[HomeBudgetComputing]

Things like this are why I subscribe to this channel. Thanks for the great and useful content, guys!

[johnblackledge]

Correction, 1 year later...
I didn't add my 2nd acount on the Login screen so it never appeared as an option under the Avatar. DOH!
Also, forget the Dowloads folder (an unnecessary complication) - I created a folder called 'Transfer' in the major account, set it to be shared with the minor account, and any files dropped in there were visible in the minor account.
Job done, Chrome Unboxed! Well done!

[lifeslices]

Outstanding. Thank you very much for posting!

[jasonsduca]

nothing happens when I click the avatar . I'm on Version 88.0.4324.186 (Official Build) (64-bit)

[InterstellarLord]

Up until now I could not match the productivity I have with Linux on my Chromebooks, this video ia a huge productivity booster on Chromebooks.