Giving your laptop to someone for work can be a privacy nightmare. As the person will have access to all the files on your laptop, be it for a short period. The user can access your data without any restrictions and can get hold of sensitive information. Keeping this in mind, Google has provided a Guest Mode in ChromeOS called Browse As Guest.
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What is Guest Mode
Guest Mode on ChromeOS sets up a temporary user account on Chromebooks whose data is reset after signing out. That is, browsing history, cookies, website data, and downloaded files from the guest user will be deleted after exiting guest mode. If you want someone to use your Chromebook for a limited time, you can have them sign in as a guest user on Chromebook.
The Guest Mode works without signing in to any account. So, if anyone wants to use your Chromebook, you simply have to make them enter the guest mode and they can start browsing without affecting your files or data.
Features of Guest Mode
- The guest user has access to only a few apps. These include the basic Chromebook apps like Chrome browser, Files app, Camera, and Settings.
- Other apps aren’t available and the guest user cannot install new apps on the Chromebook or uninstall any existing apps. Play Store is also unavailable to the guest.
- The guest user has access to the Settings app but not to the settings from your actual account. The guest user can personalise the guest profile settings for their usage.
- After the Guest Mode has ended, all the data of The Guest User will be deleted automatically.
- Any file that a user downloads in Guest Mode will automatically be deleted once they sign out of it. You must transfer the file to your phone or upload it to a cloud service from the Chrome Browser if you want to keep the file.
How to Log In to Guest Mode
- Sign out of the Chromebook.
- At the bottom, click Browse as Guest.
How to Exit
- At the bottom right, select the time.
- Select Exit guest.
Don’t see the Guest Mode Option?
Your Chromebook might have guest browsing turned off. To turn on guest browsing:
- Sign out of the Chromebook.
- Sign in to your Chromebook using the owner account.
- At the bottom right, select the time.
- Select Settings.
- In the “Security and Privacy” section, select Manage other people.
- Turn on Enable Guest browsing.
Note: If you’re using your Chromebook at work or school, you can’t turn guest browsing on or off. For more help, contact your administrator.
Limitation of Guest Mode
Guest Mode is a great feature to protect your privacy and let someone else your Chromebook. But your internet activity will still be visible to your ISP (Internet service provider) and system administrator (from school or work). Moreover, websites that you sign in to may also collect data.
Conclusion
Guest Mode on ChromeOS is a very useful feature that lets users protect their privacy. This feature can also be useful when giving your laptop to a child for studies as you do not want them to see sensitive information.
