Question Chrome Mobile Bookmarks only on this Device

[ricardoburnsy]

I have a S25 and chrome has a mobile bookmarks tab with an only on this device section. I cannot get them to sync to google account. Are those bookmarks only for the device?

 

[VidJunky]

I don't use separate folders for my mobile bookmarks so I asked Google and to my surprise it says those bookmarks should be backed up too. Check these directions and let us know if it works for you.

Gemini
No, the "only on this device" bookmarks in Chrome are not exclusively for that device, but rather are a specific folder within your synced bookmarks that may not be syncing properly. To fix this, ensure sync is turned on in Chrome's settings, that you are signed in to the correct Google account, and that the "Bookmarks" option is enabled under "Manage what you sync".


Steps to Sync Your Bookmarks

1. Open Chrome and access settings: On your S25, open the Chrome app and tap the three-dot (More) menu icon in the top right.
   
2. Tap on Settings: From the menu, select "Settings".
   
3. Check Sync and Google Services: Tap on "Sync and Google Services".
   
4. Verify Sync is On: Make sure the "Sync everything" option is enabled.
   
5. Manage what you sync: Tap on "Manage what you sync" to ensure "Bookmarks" is toggled on.
   
6. Sign in to your account: If you're not signed in, select the option to sign into your Google account to turn on sync.
   

What to Do if Sync Still Isn't Working

• Sign out and back in: Try signing out of your Google account in Chrome and then signing back in.
  
• Clear browsing data: Clear your cookies and site data in Chrome.
  
• Check on other devices: See if your bookmarks sync to another device where you use Chrome signed into the same account.
  
• Export and Import: If all else fails, you can export your bookmarks from the original device to an HTML file and then import them on another device to prevent data loss.

 

[B. Diddy]

I think that may be an example of Gemini getting the answer wrong, I'm afraid. The Mobile Bookmarks on a mobile device have never synced to my Google/Chrome account in the cloud -- I believe that's what that particular folder was intended for, i.e. bookmarks that you only want on that device, and not anywhere else. If there's a bookmark in Mobile Bookmarks that you want synced to your cloud, then copy or move it to one of the other bookmark folders.

 

[VidJunky]

I think that may be an example of Gemini getting the answer wrong, I'm afraid. The Mobile Bookmarks on a mobile device have never synced to my Google/Chrome account in the cloud -- I believe that's what that particular folder was intended for, i.e. bookmarks that you only want on that device, and not anywhere else. If there's a bookmark in Mobile Bookmarks that you want synced to your cloud, then copy or move it to one of the other bookmark folders.

This was my first inclination as well, but it's not something that I do so I defaulted to Google. I mean it would make perfect sense if a folder named "only on this device" would only be for this device, but the OP is asking like they've used this folder and only now is it not syncing. Then Google's alter ego is saying, Oh sure you can do that, I figured it was worth a try. See what the OP says after trying it, but I agree it would make more sense if it was saying "only on this device" meant "Only on this device".

 

[ricardoburnsy]

I think that may be an example of Gemini getting the answer wrong, I'm afraid. The Mobile Bookmarks on a mobile device have never synced to my Google/Chrome account in the cloud -- I believe that's what that particular folder was intended for, i.e. bookmarks that you only want on that device, and not anywhere else. If there's a bookmark in Mobile Bookmarks that you want synced to your cloud, then copy or move it to one of the other bookmark folders.

I never used the folder. It's just says only on this device. Shows a cloud symbol with a slash through it. Guess those bookmarks come pre-installed to the phone?

 

[B. Diddy]

I never used the folder. It's just says only on this device. Shows a cloud symbol with a slash through it. Guess those bookmarks come pre-installed to the phone?

Yes, manufacturers and/or carriers can have certain bookmarks come with the phone in the Mobile Bookmarks folder.

 

[ricardoburnsy]

Yes, manufacturers and/or carriers can have certain bookmarks come with the phone in the Mobile Bookmarks folder.

So they can't be synced?

 

[B. Diddy]

So they can't be synced?

I don't believe that folder itself can be synced, but you can always move or copy a bookmark within that folder to some other folder (like Other Bookmarks), which should then sync to your account in the cloud.

 

[ricardoburnsy]

I don't believe that folder itself can be synced, but you can always move or copy a bookmark within that folder to some other folder (like Other Bookmarks), which should then sync to your account in the cloud.

Cant move bookmarks from that folder for some reason.

 

[Sizzers]

Out of curiosity what are the two bookmarks in the folder?

And any particular reason why they can't be edited and moved or copied over?

 

[B. Diddy]

Cant move bookmarks from that folder for some reason.

Ok, I just tested on my Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, and also found that I can't manipulate the 3 preinstalled bookmarks in the Samsung Mobile folder (in Mobile Bookmarks). But if I add any of my own bookmarks there, they can be manipulated. So it seems that preinstalled bookmarks can be untouchable.

 

[Sizzers]

Ok, I just tested on my Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, and also found that I can't manipulate the 3 preinstalled bookmarks in the Samsung Mobile folder (in Mobile Bookmarks). But if I add any of my own bookmarks there, they can be manipulated. So it seems that preinstalled bookmarks can be untouchable.

On reading this I've just (very) reluctantly enabled and updated Chrome on an A36 and yes, there's 3 pieces of unremoveable crap in mobile bookmarks.

This is on a purchased, SIM free (or unlocked as I believe you say in the States) phone and I'm just so glad I ditched Chrome a long time ago.

 

[B. Diddy]

On reading this I've just (very) reluctantly enabled and updated Chrome on an A36 and yes, there's 3 pieces of unremoveable crap in mobile bookmarks.

This is on a purchased, SIM free (or unlocked as I believe you say in the States) phone and I'm just so glad I ditched Chrome a long time ago.

Yeah, but to be fair, I think that's Samsung's doing, not necessarily Google. I just never pay attention to the Mobile Bookmarks folder, so it's never bothered me.

 

[Sizzers]

Yeah, but to be fair, I think that's Samsung's doing, not necessarily Google. I just never pay attention to the Mobile Bookmarks folder, so it's never bothered me.

I totally agree: it's all down to Samsung, not Google.

If it wasn't for Good Lock, and to a lesser extent there updates policy, I'd have have looked at alternatives to Samsung a long while ago. In saying that I did fairly recently but that was a not inexpensive - or at least for me - mistake, which I try not to think about!

 

[B. Diddy]

I totally agree: it's all down to Samsung, not Google.

If it wasn't for Good Lock, and to a lesser extent there updates policy, I'd have have looked at alternatives to Samsung a long while ago. In saying that I did fairly recently but that was a not inexpensive - or at least for me - mistake, which I try not to think about!

Interestingly, though, Samsung Internet browser does allow those preinstalled bookmarks to be deleted. So maybe it was a deal between Samsung and Google?

 

[Sizzers]

Interestingly, though, Samsung Internet browser does allow those preinstalled bookmarks to be deleted. So maybe it was a deal between Samsung and Google?

Almost certainly I'd say.

I'd tried a number of different browsers, Samsung Internet included, and apart from they were all dirty data robbing b******* none of them really hit the spot. Finally landed on Brave (I use the beta) and best move I ever made but each to their own of course.