How to Send Chrome Tabs From Your Phone to Your Computer

Chrome's Send to Device feature lets you open any tab from your phone on your PC when ready

If you find a webpage on your phone that you want to read or work on at your computer, you do not have to email yourself the link or type the address again. Google Chrome has a built-in feature called Send to Device that pushes any open tab from your phone directly to Chrome on your PC. The tab opens in a new window on your computer within seconds, and you stay signed into the same Google account on both devices.

This works because Chrome syncs your data across devices when you are signed in. Your phone and PC must both be connected to the internet, but they do not need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Key Takeaways

You must sign into the same Google account on both your phone and your PC for Send to Device to work.
On your phone, open the tab you want to send, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Send to your devices" or "Send to Device".
Your PC must have Chrome open and syncing — the tab arrives in a new window within a few seconds.
If Send to Device does not appear in your phone menu, check that you are signed into a Google account and that sync is turned on.

Set up Chrome sync on both devices first

Before you can send tabs between devices, you need to be signed into the same Google account on your phone and your PC. Open Chrome on your phone and tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner (on Android) or top right corner (on iPhone). Look for "Settings" and tap it. Scroll down and tap "Sign in to Chrome" if you are not already signed in, then enter your Google email and password.

On your PC, open Chrome and click the profile icon in the top right corner. If you see your name and email, you are already signed in. If not, click "Sign in to Chrome" and enter the same Google account. Once you are signed in on both devices, Chrome begins syncing your history, bookmarks, and other data automatically. This usually takes a minute or two.

You can check that sync is working by opening Chrome settings on your phone. Go to Settings > Google Account > Manage your Google Account > Sync tab. Make sure "Sync is on" appears at the top. On your PC, click the profile icon and look for "Sync is on" in the menu.

Send a tab from your phone to your PC

Open the webpage on your phone that you want to view on your PC. Tap the three-dot menu icon at the bottom right of the screen (Android) or top right (iPhone). You should see an option that says "Send to your devices" or "Send to Device" — the exact wording varies by phone model and Chrome version.

Tap that option. A small menu appears showing the devices you can send to. Your PC should appear in the list with its name — for example, "David's Desktop" or "HP Laptop". Tap your PC's name. The tab opens on your computer in a new Chrome window within a few seconds. You do not need to do anything on your PC — it happens automatically.

If you do not see the Send to Device option, scroll down in the three-dot menu to see if it is further down the list. On some phones, it may be labeled "Send tab to self" instead.

Troubleshoot if Send to Device does not appear

The most common reason Send to Device does not show up is that you are not signed into a Google account on your phone. Open Chrome settings, tap "Sign in to Chrome", and enter your Google email. Make sure it is the same account you use on your PC.

If you are signed in but still do not see the option, check that sync is turned on. On Android, go to Settings > Google Account > Manage your Google Account > Sync tab and make sure the toggle next to "Chrome" is on. On iPhone, open Chrome settings, tap your account name, and make sure "Sync is on" is enabled.

If both devices are signed in and sync is on, try closing Chrome completely on both devices and opening it again. Sometimes the feature takes a moment to set up after you first sign in. If it still does not work, sign out of Chrome on your phone (Settings > Sign out), wait 30 seconds, and sign back in with the same account.

What happens when you send a tab

When you send a tab to your PC, Chrome opens a new window with that webpage loaded. The tab does not replace anything you are already working on — it straightforward appears as a new window. If you have multiple windows open on your PC, the new tab may open behind your current window, so check your taskbar if you do not see it right away.

The tab is a live webpage, not a screenshot. You can scroll, click links, and interact with it just as you would if you had opened the link yourself. The page loads from the internet on your PC, so it may take a moment to fully display if your connection is slow.

Send tabs from your PC to your phone

You can also send tabs in the opposite direction — from your PC to your phone. Right-click any open tab in Chrome on your computer and select "Send tab to your devices". A menu appears showing your phone and any other devices signed into your account. Click your phone's name, and the tab opens in Chrome on your phone within a few seconds.

On some versions of Chrome, the option may be in the three-dot menu at the top right of the window instead of the right-click menu. Click the three-dot menu and look for "Send tab to your devices".

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my phone and PC need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?

No. Both devices need an internet connection, but they can be on different networks. Chrome syncs through Google's servers, so your home Wi-Fi, mobile data, or any other connection works fine.

Can I send a tab if Chrome is not open on my PC?

Chrome does not have to be in the foreground, but it must be running in the background. If you have closed Chrome completely, the tab will not arrive. Open Chrome on your PC first, then send the tab from your phone.

What if I send a tab but it does not appear on my PC?

Wait a few seconds — the tab usually arrives within 5 to 10 seconds if both devices are connected. If nothing appears, check that you are signed into the same Google account on both devices and that sync is on. Restart Chrome on your PC and try again.

Can I send a tab to multiple devices at once?

No. You can only send to one device per action. If you want the tab on multiple devices, you will need to send it separately to each one.

Does Send to Device work with Chrome extensions or private browsing tabs?

Send to Device works with regular tabs. Private browsing tabs cannot be sent because they are not synced across devices for privacy reasons.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.