Guest Mode lets someone use a Chromebook without signing into any Google account and without touching your files, bookmarks, or settings. Everything from that session disappears the moment it ends.
What Guest Mode Actually Does
- Opens a temporary Chrome session with no bookmarks, extensions, or saved passwords from any existing profile
- Deletes all browsing history, downloads, and cookies as soon as the guest session ends
- Keeps the guest completely separate from your Google Drive files and installed Android apps
- Doesn’t require a password, since it isn’t tied to any account
How to Turn On Guest Mode
- On the sign-in screen, look for Browse as Guest near the bottom of the screen.
- Click it to open a fresh Chrome session immediately, with no sign-in required.
- When finished, click the account icon in the bottom-right corner and select Sign out or Exit guest to close the session and erase everything from it.
If Browse as Guest Is Missing
On managed Chromebooks, whether from a school or a workplace, an administrator can disable Guest Browsing entirely through the Google Admin console. If the option isn’t on your sign-in screen at all, that’s almost always the reason, and there’s no local setting that brings it back on a managed device.
On a personal, unmanaged Chromebook, check Settings > People > Manage other people and make sure Enable Guest browsing is toggled on.
Still Not Working?
If Guest Mode opens but feels sluggish compared to your normal profile, that’s usually just a fresh session loading extensions and sync data for the first time; it should behave normally after a few seconds. If the Chromebook won’t reach the sign-in screen at all to show the Guest option, that’s a separate startup issue, not something specific to Guest Mode. If it’s the entire device acting up, our Powerwash guide covers a full factory reset.
FAQ
Can a guest install apps or extensions?
No. Guest sessions can browse the web and use the Files app, but can’t install Android apps or Chrome extensions, since none of that would persist anyway.
Does Guest Mode protect against malware or tracking?
It prevents that specific session from leaving traces on the device afterward, but it doesn’t make browsing anonymous online. Sites can still see the same IP address and set cookies during the session itself.
Can I disable Guest Mode myself on my own Chromebook?
Yes, under Settings > People > Manage other people, toggle off Enable Guest browsing if you’d rather no one use the device without signing in.
