The good news is, Google is aware of this issue and has provided a simple built-in feature for adding new accounts. This way, new users can log in through their Google accounts and enjoy a personalized user experience on the Chromebook.
So, let’s look at how you can add new user accounts to your Chromebook.
Adding a New User Account
To create a user account, first, turn on your Chromebook to get to the login screen. If you are already logged in, click on the Wi-Fi, Power, and Time option at the bottom-right corner of the screen and select Sign out.
On the login screen, click Add Person at the bottom-left corner of the screen. This option is ideal if the user you are adding will be using your Chromebook regularly or if they want to personalize the Chromebook environment for themselves.
You also have another option next to Add Person that doesn’t require your guest to add their Google account. This option is Browse as Guest, which is ideal for temporary users. It takes the users directly to Chrome, where they can start browsing immediately.
The next screen presents you with two options: You and A child. Select You if the guest is an adult user who will need access to all the features of your Chromebook. This option will let your guest have an account similar to your primary user account.
If you are lending your Chromebook to a child and want to give them access to limited features, choose A child. The setting up process is similar to the one mentioned in the following steps. Additionally, it will offer you to set up parental controls for this user account.
After clicking You or A child, Chrome OS will ask your guest to enter the login details of their Google account.
Once the guest user enters their login details successfully, the Terms of Service for Chromebook and Google Play will appear, which they need to accept. They might get a couple of other options, like reviewing what to sync from their Google account and setting up a connection with their phone. They can skip the unnecessary steps where they are given a choice.
The final step is to set up Google Assistant. The guest can choose to train the software for voice recognition or Skip this step. Now, the setup is completed, and they can click Done to proceed.
The guest user is now ready to use your Chromebook with their own Google account that will sync their Chrome and Google Drive data. If they are new to Chromebooks, it also offers a tour to familiarize them with the Chrome OS environment.
You can access this user account later as well. It will appear next to your account on the login screen when you turn on your Chromebook. Moreover, you can make multiple user accounts using the same method.
Removing the Guest User Account
If the newly added guest user account is not required anymore, you can remove it from the system with these steps:
Go to the login screen, where you’ll see the available accounts. Locate the account you want to remove and click on the Down Arrow next to it. You’ll get an option to Remove This User. Click on it and confirm to remove the account and everything associated with it, including files and local data.
How to Add Another Google Account on Chromebook
The steps mentioned above are for adding a guest user account for someone who wants to use your Chromebook. But there is a way to add multiple Google accounts to your main owner account. This method is beneficial for separating work account from personal. Or you might be looking to have multiple accounts for multiple businesses or jobs.
To add another Google account, follow these steps:
Click on the Wi-Fi, Power, and Time option at the bottom-right corner of your screen. There is a Settings Gear at the top-right corner of the menu. Click on it to enter the settings menu. Now, click on Accounts from the left sidebar. Select your Google account, which is the first option under the Accounts section. On the next page, you’ll get an option to Add Google Account. Click on it and enter the login details of the Google account you want to add. Once logged in, it will ask you to accept the Terms of Service. Click on I agree to finish the process.
Removing a Google Account From Chromebook
To remove the Google account you have added to your main user account, head over to the Accounts menu as mentioned above. Then select your Google account.
Here you’ll find all of the Google accounts you have added, including the primary and secondary accounts. Click on the Three Dots next to the account you want to remove. Now, click on Remove this user to complete the removal process.
Protecting Your Privacy on a Chromebook
Chrome OS offers great privacy features for multiple users, as you have already seen above. You can let anyone use your Chromebook without worrying about your data or privacy. Chromebook’s Add Person feature takes care of it for you.
These features of Chromebooks rank up high among other OSes and PCs, as it is much simpler to add users and Google accounts in a Chromebook. If several people in a home use a single Chromebook device, these features can be a lifesaver.
Like Chromebook, you can also create additional users on other operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
