How to Transfer Data to a New Chromebook

What moves automatically when you sign in

The quickest way to transfer data to a new Chromebook is to sign in with the same Google Account you used on the old one. ChromeOS connects your bookmarks, passwords, extensions, and settings to that account, so the new device can restore them without manual copying. For a closer look at what sync does, see Chromebook sync settings.

Android apps you installed are also tied to your Google Account. After you sign in, you can install the same apps on the new Chromebook, and app data stored in the cloud comes back with them. The Linux development environment is the exception; it does not follow your account, so you need to back it up separately.

• Bookmarks, passwords, and Chrome settings
• Extensions and themes
• Android apps and cloud-connected app data
• Google Drive files and folders

Move your files with Google Drive

Files you keep in Google Drive are stored with your account, not on the device. When you sign in on the new Chromebook, the same documents, photos, and folders appear in the Files app. That makes Drive the easiest way to carry files over automatically. For a fuller comparison of cloud and local storage, read cloud vs local storage.

Files in the Downloads folder, or on a memory card that was inserted into the old Chromebook, are local and do not follow your account. Open the Files app on the old device, review what is saved under Downloads, and move anything you want to keep. The guide to the Files app shows how to copy and sort local files.

Use external storage for large local files

For a large music library, photo archive, or video project that is stored only on the old Chromebook, an external drive is the most reliable transfer method. Copy the folder to a USB flash drive, SD card, or portable SSD, plug that drive into the new Chromebook, and copy the files back to local storage. This avoids long uploads and does not depend on your internet connection.

You can also upload the same files to cloud storage first and download them on the new machine. That works well for files you want to keep in the cloud, but a very large collection can take time and data. For most people, a combination works best: keep smaller documents in Drive and move large media collections with a drive. If you plan to use an SD card or external drive, the article on setting up external storage explains the options.

Back up Linux files and apps separately

The Linux development environment is separate from the rest of ChromeOS. It is off by default, and it does not send its files or installed tools to a new Chromebook when you sign in. Google's Linux setup guide notes that setting up Linux can take 10 minutes or more, so plan for it separately.

Before you leave the old device, use the backup function in the Linux environment to save your container. On the new Chromebook, turn on Linux in Settings, then restore the backup so your code, editors, and project files return. Step-by-step help is in enable Linux on Chromebook and Chromebook Linux backup.

Update both Chromebooks before you switch

ChromeOS downloads available updates automatically when the device is online, and a restart finishes the installation. Before you migrate, check both machines. On each Chromebook, open Settings, choose About ChromeOS, and select Check for updates. The official update instructions also recommend connecting to a reliable network and plugging the device into power.

An up-to-date ChromeOS version keeps sync and app behavior consistent between the old and new devices. After you move, continue to install updates on the new Chromebook. Google's Auto Update policy says ChromeOS devices receive 10 years of updates from the platform release date, and a device that has stopped receiving updates will not get new features or security patches. See check and install ChromeOS updates and ChromeOS updates support for more.

Reset the old Chromebook after the move

Once you are sure the new Chromebook has your files, apps, and settings, erase the old device before giving it away or reselling it. A factory reset, often called Powerwash, removes your Google Account, local files, and personal settings. Google warns that recovery permanently erases everything on the hard drive, even downloaded files, so back up anything you still want first.

After the reset, the old Chromebook returns to its original state and is ready for a new owner. If you keep it in the family, sign in with the other person's Google Account so your data does not follow them. The guide to factory reset covers the reset options.

Pick a new Chromebook with room for your files

If the move involves many local files, pick a new Chromebook with enough storage to hold them. The Chromebook Plus category includes models with more RAM and storage; Google describes those models as having 8GB or more of RAM and 128GB or more of storage. That headroom makes it easier to restore a large local library or reinstall the Linux container after the move.

For students, the cloud-first workflow usually keeps the transfer small because most work lives in Google Drive. Business users who carry larger local folders may prefer models with more built-in storage. Start with the best Chromebook Plus picks, compare 128GB Chromebooks, or see Chromebooks for business if the device is managed by your workplace.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Do my bookmarks and passwords move automatically?

Yes. Sign in to the new Chromebook with the same Google Account. Google sync restores bookmarks, passwords, extensions, and settings on the new device.

Will files in Google Drive appear on my new Chromebook?

Yes. Files stored in Google Drive belong to your account, not to the device, so they show up after you sign in. Files stored only in the Downloads folder do not move automatically and should be copied separately.

How do I move files that are only on the old Chromebook?

Copy them to a USB flash drive, SD card, or external SSD, then copy them to the new Chromebook. You can also upload them to cloud storage first and download them later.

Does the Linux environment move to the new Chromebook?

No. Linux must be backed up on the old device and restored on the new one after you turn it on in Settings. Google says setup on a new device can take 10 minutes or more.

What should I do with the old Chromebook after the move?

Back up anything you still need, then factory reset the device. A reset removes your Google Account, local files, and personal settings before you give the Chromebook away or keep it as a spare.

Do I need to update my Chromebook before transferring?

It is a good idea. Both devices should run the current version of ChromeOS so sync and apps behave consistently. Check Settings, About ChromeOS, and select Check for updates.

Can I move files without signing in to the new Chromebook?

You can copy files to an external drive or memory card without signing in, but the easiest transfer uses your Google Account. Signing in also restores your settings, extensions, and apps, so it is worth doing before you move files.