How to Manage Sync Settings in Microsoft Edge

This article will explain how to manage sync settings in Microsoft Edge, the web browser that comes with Windows 11. Syncing allows you to access your browsing data, such as favorites, passwords, history, extensions, and more, across all your devices that are signed in to the same Microsoft account.

You will also learn how to customize what data types are synced, how to switch accounts, and how to sign out of sync.

What is Syncing and Why Use It?

Syncing is a feature that lets you access your browsing data on any device that has Microsoft Edge installed and is signed in to the same Microsoft account. This means that you can easily pick up where you left off on another device, without having to manually transfer your data or remember your passwords. For example, if you sign in to your Microsoft account on your laptop and your phone, you can:

• Access your favorites, passwords, history, extensions, settings, open tabs, autofill form entries, and payment info on both devices.
• Type in a website address on your laptop and see it autocomplete on your phone.
• Open a tab on your phone and continue browsing on your laptop.

Syncing is especially useful if you use multiple devices for different purposes, such as work, school, or personal use. You can also sync your data across different platforms, such as Windows, iOS, Android, and Mac.

How to Sign in to Sync Your Account on Computer

To start syncing your data across your devices, you need to sign in to your Microsoft account on Microsoft Edge. Here are the steps to do so:

1. In Microsoft Edge, select the profile image in the browser taskbar.
2. From the list of options, choose the account you want to sign in to or choose Manage profile settings, if you’re already signed in.
3. If you’re in the Microsoft Edge settings page, select > Sign in to sync data, select the account you want to sign in to and select Sign in to sync data.

You can also customize your sync settings before turning on sync by selecting Customize when you see the prompt to sync your account after you sign in.

How to Change and Customize Sync Settings on Your Computer

You can review or manage the type of data that is synced across your devices by following these steps:

1. In Microsoft Edge, select More options > Settings > Profiles > Sync.
2. You’ll see a list of the features and data types available for sync. Select the toggles along the right side of the screen to turn sync on or off for each feature.

Note: If you choose to sync favorites, any tabs you previously set aside will also be synced.

How to Switch Accounts on Your Computer

To switch to another account, click on your profile image, then select another profile or Manage profile settings. You can also add a new profile by selecting Add profile.

How to Sign Out of Sync on Your Computer

If you want to stop syncing data, you’ll need to sign out of Microsoft Edge using the following steps:

1. In Microsoft Edge, select More options > Settings > Profiles > Sync.
2. Under Sync settings, select Turn off sync.
3. If you want to delete all your sync data before signing out, select Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear > Synced data.

Note: Deleting data while signed in and syncing will remove it from all of your synced devices.

How to Sign in to Sync Your Account on Your Mobile Device

You can also sync your data on your mobile device, such as your phone or tablet, by following these steps:

1. In the Microsoft Edge app, select More options > Settings, and then select your profile image.
2. Under Sync settings, select Sync.
3. You’ll see a list of the features and data types available for sync. Select the toggles along the right side of the screen to turn sync on or off for each feature, then select Done.

How to Change and Customize Sync Settings on Your Mobile Device

You can change and customize your sync settings on your mobile device by following the same steps as above.

How to Switch Accounts on Your Mobile Device

To switch to another account on your mobile device, select More options > Settings, and then select your profile image. You can also add a new account by selecting Add account.

How to Sign Out of Sync on Your Mobile Device

To sign out of sync on your mobile device, select More options > Settings, and then select your profile image. Under Sync settings, select Sign out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is the difference between sync and backup?

Answer: Syncing and backup are two different ways of keeping your data safe and accessible. Syncing allows you to access your data across multiple devices that are signed in to the same account, while backup allows you to restore your data in case of data loss or device failure. Syncing does not replace backup, and vice versa. You should always have a backup of your data in case something goes wrong with your sync or your device.

Question: What data types are synced by Microsoft Edge?

Answer: Microsoft Edge syncs the following data types across your devices:

• Favorites
• Passwords
• History
• Extensions
• Settings
• Open tabs
• Autofill form entries
• Payment info

You can choose to sync all or some of these data types by customizing your sync settings.

Question: What happens if I sign out of sync?

Answer: If you sign out of sync, you will stop syncing your data across your devices. You will also lose access to your data on other devices, unless you sign in again. You can choose to delete your sync data from your device or from all your devices before signing out.

Question: How secure is sync?

Syncing your data with Microsoft Edge is secure and encrypted. Microsoft uses industry-standard encryption protocols to protect your data in transit and at rest. Microsoft also does not use your sync data for advertising purposes. You can learn more about how Microsoft protects your privacy and security here.

Summary

Syncing your data with Microsoft Edge is a convenient and useful feature that lets you access your browsing data across all your devices that are signed in to the same Microsoft account. You can easily manage your sync settings, switch accounts, and sign out of sync on your computer or mobile device. Syncing your data with Microsoft Edge is also secure and encrypted, and respects your privacy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and the publisher are not liable for any damages or losses that may result from the use of the information in this article. The reader is responsible for verifying the accuracy and validity of the information before applying it. The reader is also advised to backup their data before making any changes to their sync settings. The author and the publisher are not affiliated with Microsoft or Microsoft Edge. Microsoft and Microsoft Edge are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.