Google has introduced a new feature in Chrome for iOS and iPadOS that allows users to switch between work and personal Google accounts without signing out. The update is designed for people using the same mobile device for both professional and personal activity, offering separate browsing environments for each role.
Google’s system treats the work profile as a managed session. That means it follows rules and policies set by the organization that issued the account. Personal and professional data no longer overlap within the app, even on the same device.
When a user signs into a managed account for the first time, Chrome presents an onboarding screen. It explains the data separation in place and clarifies that the experience is controlled by the user’s organization. This message appears again whenever the user switches into the managed environment.
Organizations can choose how to handle existing browsing data when users first connect their managed accounts. For example, they may allow current data to remain intact or require that it be cleared as part of compliance. Users receive a notice when they enter a managed session.
Google is also adding URL filtering to Chrome on iOS. With this feature, administrators can restrict access to specific categories of websites, such as unauthorized generative AI tools. In these cases, Chrome can redirect users to approved internal services instead.
These capabilities were already available on Android. Bringing them to iOS now creates a more uniform experience across platforms for organizations using Chrome Enterprise.
Browser makers have introduced various solutions on desktops to handle multiple identities. Firefox uses containers. Safari and Edge label their profiles for different use cases. But few of these features carry over to mobile. Chrome’s addition of managed account switching on iOS helps address that gap, though only in part.
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Easier Switching with Data Isolation
Until now, users had to log out of one account and sign in with another each time they wanted to switch profiles in Chrome. The new update removes that step, provided the work account is part of a managed Google Workspace environment. Once signed in, each account operates in its own space, with browsing history, saved passwords, and open tabs kept separate.Google’s system treats the work profile as a managed session. That means it follows rules and policies set by the organization that issued the account. Personal and professional data no longer overlap within the app, even on the same device.
When a user signs into a managed account for the first time, Chrome presents an onboarding screen. It explains the data separation in place and clarifies that the experience is controlled by the user’s organization. This message appears again whenever the user switches into the managed environment.
Responding to Mobile Work Trends
The feature supports a broader shift among businesses, where company-issued phones are being replaced by bring-your-own-device policies. Employees now rely more on personal smartphones and tablets for work-related access. By improving account switching and keeping data isolated, Google aims to support that shift without increasing risk for IT teams.Organizations can choose how to handle existing browsing data when users first connect their managed accounts. For example, they may allow current data to remain intact or require that it be cleared as part of compliance. Users receive a notice when they enter a managed session.
New Enterprise Features for iOS
Alongside account switching, Google is rolling out new enterprise tools for iOS. Chrome now includes reporting capabilities that let organizations track security-related events on mobile devices. Admins can access logs through the Google Admin console or forward them to external tools like SIEM platforms.Google is also adding URL filtering to Chrome on iOS. With this feature, administrators can restrict access to specific categories of websites, such as unauthorized generative AI tools. In these cases, Chrome can redirect users to approved internal services instead.
These capabilities were already available on Android. Bringing them to iOS now creates a more uniform experience across platforms for organizations using Chrome Enterprise.
Limited to Managed Accounts
This update does not offer full profile switching for all users. Unlike Chrome on desktop platforms, where personal users can freely switch between multiple Google accounts, the iOS version limits profile separation to managed environments. Users with personal Gmail accounts still need to rely on a single profile or use Incognito Mode, which doesn’t save data across sessions.Browser makers have introduced various solutions on desktops to handle multiple identities. Firefox uses containers. Safari and Edge label their profiles for different use cases. But few of these features carry over to mobile. Chrome’s addition of managed account switching on iOS helps address that gap, though only in part.
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