Chromium Ends Support for User Syncing Across Devices
In a surprising move that has left many users scrambling for alternatives, Chromium, the open-source browser project at the heart of Google Chrome, ended support for user syncing across devices. This feature, which was once one of the key reasons for many users to stick with Chromium, allowed seamless syncing of bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings across multiple devices using a single account. But as of March 2021, that option is no longer available, and here’s why.
Why Was Sync Support Removed?
The removal of user sync functionality in Chromium was primarily a result of licensing and policy changes between Google and the broader open-source community. Syncing across devices relied on certain proprietary APIs developed by Google. These APIs, while integral to Google Chrome, were not meant to be accessible to Chromium or its derivative browsers.
In late 2020, Google announced it would limit access to its private APIs, including those that enabled sync, location services, and other features. Chromium, being an open-source project, was affected by this decision. Google’s official statement explained that this change was made to ensure better security, privacy, and clarity about the features available in Chromium versus the fully-featured Google Chrome.
What Does This Mean for Users?
If you were using Chromium as your go-to browser, this change means that you can no longer rely on it to sync your data across different devices using your Google account. This affects bookmarks, passwords, history, extensions, and other browser settings, which would previously be available across devices without the need for manual transfer.
For many, this could be a major inconvenience, especially if you relied heavily on this feature to keep your browsing experience consistent across desktop, mobile, and other devices.
When Did Sync Support End?
The syncing functionality officially ended in March 2021. Users who were logged into Chromium browsers using Google accounts suddenly found themselves unable to sync their data across devices. Many were greeted with warnings that their Google account could no longer sync, and some even experienced functionality disruptions.
What Are the Alternatives?
While Chromium itself no longer supports syncing with Google accounts, users can still consider a few alternatives:
- Switch to Google Chrome: Since the issue arises from Google limiting its proprietary APIs to its official browser, users who prefer the sync functionality may opt for Google Chrome instead. It retains all the features that Chromium lost, including syncing across devices.
- Use Third-Party Sync Solutions: Some third-party browsers built on Chromium have introduced their own syncing services. Browsers like Brave or Vivaldi have developed independent sync systems that do not rely on Google APIs, offering similar functionality without the need to switch to Chrome.
- Manual Syncing: If switching browsers isn’t an option, you can still manually export and import bookmarks and settings. However, this is time-consuming and lacks the real-time syncing benefit of automatic systems.
The decision to end sync support in Chromium may feel like a blow to users who rely on it for a streamlined browsing experience. But it’s part of a broader trend in the tech industry where companies are drawing clearer lines between open-source projects and proprietary features. For users who still love the performance and flexibility of Chromium, third-party solutions or switching to Google Chrome are viable paths forward.