Google Chrome’s ‘Send to Your Devices’ functionality mostly works pretty well. It instantly sends tabs to other devices, which is better than not having to clutter your bookmarks folders or typing in long web addresses manually.
However, there are instances where you may find the ‘Send to Your Devices’ option is missing or not working properly. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort to get things right.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at what you can do to get Chrome’s ‘Send to Your Devices’ feature working again.
1. Check Connection
Check if the device (mobile or computer) you are sending a tab to is connected to the internet. If there is no Wi-Fi or cellular data enabled, or Airplane Mode is turned on, sending a tab to such a device will fail, even if the device you are sending the tab to does not display any error messages.
It may sound a little silly, but it happens to the best of us. So make sure this isn’t the case before diving into other fixes.
2. Update Google Chrome
‘Send to Your Devices’ is only available from Chrome 77.0 onwards. This is why you will find this option missing on any device running an older version of Chrome.
On the other hand, sending tabs to such a device will fail. So make sure you have the latest Chrome updates installed on your desktop and mobile devices.
Desktop (PC and Mac)
On PC and Mac, Chrome usually updates itself automatically. But it’s always better to double check. To do this, open the Chrome menu, point to More Tools, and then click About Google Chrome. If new updates are available, Chrome will download and install them.
Mobile (Android and iOS)
If you haven’t set your apps to update automatically on your Android or iOS device, open the Google Play Store or App Store, search for Chrome, then tap Update if a new version of the browser is available.
3. Sign in to Chrome
Are you signed in to Google Chrome? You must be signed in to the device you are trying to send a tab to, as well as the device that should receive the tab.
But most importantly, you must use the same Google Account on all your devices.
Desktop (PC and Mac)
On PC and Mac, open the Chrome menu and then click Settings. Next, you should see if you’re signed in to Google Chrome (and the Google Account you’re signed into) by checking under the People section.
Mobile (Android and iOS)
Similar to the desktop versions, open the Chrome menu on your Android or iOS device, then tap Settings to confirm if you’re signed in.
Once again, make sure you use the same Google Account on all your devices.
4. Enable Open Tabs Sync
‘Send to Your Devices’ requires a certain Chrome sync setting to be enabled for it to work properly – exactly the Open Tabs sync option. You have to make the tab on the device you send it to and the device that will receive the tab.
Desktop (PC and Mac)
On PC and Mac, open the Chrome menu and then click Settings. Next, click Sync and Google Services, then click Manage Sync.
Make sure the switch next to Open Tabs is enabled.
Mobile (Android and iOS)
On Android and iOS go to the Settings panel, tap Sync & Google Services, tap Manage Sync then make sure Open Tabs is enabled.
5. Enable Chrome Notifications
If you’re not getting any notifications after making the above fixes on the device you’re sending a tab to, make sure notifications are enabled for Google Chrome.
desktop computer
Open Notification Center on PC and then click Manage Notifications. Click Google Chrome in the list of apps displayed. Make sure the Notifications switch is on and the Show Notification Banners box is checked.
Desktop – Mac
Type notifications in Spotlight Search on Mac, then press Enter. For Chrome, make sure notifications are enabled and Banners are selected as the alert style.
Mobile – Android
On Android, visit the Chrome Settings screen and then tap on notifications. Make sure notifications are enabled and the switch next to Sharing is on.
Mobile – iOS
Chrome on iOS does not have integrated notification support. Therefore, “Send to Your Devices” alerts will only appear in Chrome itself.
After sending a link to Chrome for iOS from another device, simply open the app and then check the bottom of the screen for the alert.
Shipping Time
‘Send to Your Devices’ is a great app, but as you’ve just seen it will not work for various reasons. The next time something goes wrong, make sure to get all your devices up and running using the troubleshooting tips above and you should be fine.
Next: Tired of using Google Chrome in dark mode? Here’s how to revert to the normal color scheme.
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