Chrome Send Tab to Self: How to Use It

Chrome’s “Send tab to your devices” feature lets you push an open tab from one device (phone, tablet, or computer) to another device that is signed into the same Google account. It is handy for continuing research on a bigger screen, sending a map to your phone before heading out, or moving an article from your phone to your desktop for a more comfortable read. This guide walks you through the steps on both desktop and mobile, and covers common hiccups.

What You’ll Need

A Google account (free).
Chrome browser installed on both devices.
Both devices signed in to the same Google account.
Chrome sync enabled (at least for open tabs).

Step-by-Step

On a Computer (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook)

Open Chrome and sign in to your Google account if you haven’t already. Click the profile icon at the top right and enter your credentials.
Ensure sync is on: go to Settings (three-dot menu > Settings), then “You and Google” > “Sync and Google services.” Make sure “Sync” is turned on. (If you prefer custom sync, ensure “Open tabs” is enabled.)
Navigate to the tab you want to send.
Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
Hover over “Share, save, and send” (or “More tools” in older versions).
Click “Send tab to your devices.” A pop-up will appear listing your other devices that are signed in and have sync active.
Click the device you want to send the tab to. A confirmation message will appear briefly at the top of the screen.

On an Android Phone or Tablet

Open Chrome and make sure you are signed in to the same Google account as your other device.
Go to the tab you want to send.
Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
Tap “Share…” (or the share icon).
In the share sheet, look for “Send to your devices” (you may need to scroll sideways). Tap it.
Choose the target device from the list. A confirmation will appear.

On an iPhone or iPad

Open Chrome and ensure you are signed in to the same Google account.
Open the tab you want to send.
Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing up) at the bottom or top right.
Scroll down in the share sheet and tap “Send to your devices.” (If you don’t see it, tap “Edit Actions…” and add it.)
Select the device you want to send to. A confirmation will appear.

Receiving the Tab

On the receiving device, you’ll get a notification (if Chrome notifications are enabled). Tap it to open the tab.
Alternatively, open Chrome and look for a “From your devices” section on the new tab page, or go to the three-dot menu > “Recent tabs” (on mobile) or “History” > “Tabs from other devices” (on desktop).

Common Mistakes

Not signed in on both devices: The feature only works if both devices use the same Google account.
Sync turned off: If “Open tabs” sync is disabled, the device won’t appear in the list.
Looking in the wrong menu: On desktop, it’s under “Share, save, and send,” not the regular share icon. On Android, it’s under “Share…” and then “Send to your devices.”
Network issues: Both devices must have an internet connection. The tab is sent via Google’s servers, not directly between devices.
Notifications disabled: On mobile, if Chrome notifications are off, you won’t get a pop-up; you’ll have to check the “Recent tabs” section.

Tips

Use the address bar shortcut: On desktop, you can also right-click the tab and choose “Send tab to your devices.”
Send multiple tabs: You can send multiple tabs one by one; there’s no bulk send option, but you can send them quickly.
Check the new tab page: On mobile, the received tab often appears as a card on the new tab page under “From your devices.”
Keep devices awake: If the receiving device is off or asleep, the tab will still be delivered when it comes online.
Use it for directions: Send a Google Maps route from your desktop to your phone before leaving.

Troubleshooting

My device doesn’t show up in the list.

Make sure both devices are signed in to the same Google account.
Check that sync is enabled on both devices. On desktop: Settings > “You and Google” > “Sync and Google services” > “Sync” (or “Manage what you sync” > “Open tabs”). On mobile: Settings > “Sync and Google services” > “Sync” (or “Manage sync” > “Open tabs”).
Wait a few minutes; the device list may take time to update.
Restart Chrome on both devices.

I sent the tab, but the other device didn’t get it.

Check the internet connection on both devices.
On the receiving device, open Chrome and go to the new tab page. Look for “From your devices” or check the three-dot menu > “Recent tabs” (mobile) or “History” > “Tabs from other devices” (desktop).
If you still don’t see it, try sending again after a minute.

I get an error saying “Couldn’t send tab.”

This usually means the receiving device is not available (offline or sync off). Wait and try again.
Sign out and back in to Chrome on both devices.

The feature is missing entirely.

Make sure Chrome is updated to the latest version.
On iOS, if you don’t see “Send to your devices” in the share sheet, tap “Edit Actions…” and add it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a tab to a device that is not signed in?

No, both devices must be signed in to the same Google account with sync enabled.

Does the tab send instantly?

It usually takes a few seconds, but it can take longer if the receiving device is offline or has a poor connection.

Can I send a tab to multiple devices at once?

No, you can only send to one device at a time. You have to repeat the process for each device.

Will the tab open automatically on the receiving device?

Not automatically. You’ll get a notification (if enabled) or see it in the “Recent tabs” or “From your devices” section. You tap to open it.

Does this work with Chrome on other browsers?

No, it only works between Chrome devices. The receiving device must have Chrome installed.

Is there a limit to how many tabs I can send?

No, you can send as many as you want, but each is sent individually.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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