Do you want to access the same bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and browser settings on your Windows PC, laptop, and smartphone? Microsoft Edge makes this possible with its built-in sync feature.
When you sign in to Microsoft Edge with the same Microsoft account on your devices and enable sync, you can keep supported browsing data available across them. You can also choose which information to synchronize, giving you more control over your browsing experience.
If you are comparing browsers before choosing one for everyday use, read our guide to Microsoft Edge vs. Chrome to explore their differences, features, and browsing experience.
Browser synchronization is convenient, but users should also consider browser privacy when managing their online accounts across devices.
In this guide, you will learn how to sync Microsoft Edge settings in Windows 11 and Windows 10, enable sync on Android and other supported devices, choose which data to synchronize, and troubleshoot common sync problems.
What Is Microsoft Edge Sync?
Microsoft Edge Sync is a feature that synchronizes supported browser data across devices where you are signed in with the same account. Instead of manually copying bookmarks or re-entering your browser preferences, you can access supported information on your other devices.
For example, if you save a website as a favorite on your Windows laptop, it can appear in Microsoft Edge on your phone after synchronization. Depending on your settings, you can also access saved passwords, browsing history, open tabs, and other supported information.
What Data Can Microsoft Edge Sync?
The available sync options depend on your Edge version, device, account type, and organizational policies.
| Data Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Favorites | Makes saved websites available across devices |
| Passwords | Synchronizes supported saved login credentials |
| History | Makes supported browsing history available across devices |
| Settings | Synchronizes supported browser preferences |
| Open tabs | Helps you access tabs from other signed-in devices |
| Extensions | Synchronizes supported extensions and related information |
| Addresses and personal information | Makes supported autofill information available |
| Payment information | Supports synchronization of eligible payment data |
| Collections and other browsing data | Availability depends on the feature and current Edge version. |
Not every item is necessarily available in every Edge installation. Check the Sync page in your browser to see the options available to your account.
If you want to explore alternatives to Edge, check out our guide to the best web browsers for Windows to compare popular desktop browsing options.
Requirements Before Syncing Microsoft Edge
Before you enable synchronization, check the following requirements:
- Microsoft Edge is installed: Update the browser to a supported, current version on each device.
- You can sign in: Have access to the Microsoft account you want to use.
- Use the same account: Sign in with the same Microsoft account on the devices you want to synchronize.
- Your internet connection works: Edge needs network access to synchronize data with Microsoft’s services.
- Sync is enabled: Turning on account sign-in alone does not always mean every data category is enabled.
- Your organization allows sync: Work or school devices may have administrator-managed restrictions.
If you are using a managed work or school account, some settings may be controlled by your organization’s administrator.
How to Sync Microsoft Edge Settings in Windows 11
Follow these steps to enable synchronization in Microsoft Edge on a Windows 11 computer.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge
Launch Microsoft Edge from the Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
If you do not have the latest version, open the browser’s settings and check for updates before continuing.
Step 2: Open Your Edge Profile
- Click the profile icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account if you have not already done so. If Edge displays an option to sign in and turn on sync, follow the prompts.
- Use the account you want to share browser data across your devices.
Step 3: Open the Sync Settings
- Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and select Settings.
- Open Profiles, select your profile if necessary, and then choose Sync.
The exact labels can vary slightly between Edge versions, but the Sync page is where you manage the data categories that are synchronized.
Step 4: Turn On Sync
Look for the sync control or the option to turn on synchronization. If Edge asks you to confirm, follow the on-screen instructions.
If synchronization is already enabled, you can continue to the next step to choose the data you want to share across devices.
Step 5: Choose Which Settings to Sync
On the Sync page, review the available data categories. Turn on the categories you want to synchronize, such as
- Favorites
- Passwords
- History
- Settings
- Open tabs
- Extensions
- Personal information
Some categories may not appear on every device or account. Choose only the data types you need.
For additional instructions on connecting your browser profiles, see Microsoft’s guide to sync Microsoft Edge across devices.
Step 6: Repeat the Process on Your Other Devices
- Open Microsoft Edge on your other computer or laptop. Sign in with the same Microsoft account and enable sync.
- Once the devices are connected and synchronization completes, supported browser data should become available on each device.
If you regularly work with multiple browser tabs, learn how to use Microsoft Edge vertical tabs to organize your open pages more efficiently.
Tip: If your favorites or settings do not appear immediately, wait briefly, confirm your internet connection, and check that the corresponding sync category is enabled on both devices.
How to Sync Microsoft Edge Settings in Windows 10
The sync process is similar in Windows 10 and Windows 11 because the current desktop versions of Microsoft Edge use the same general profile and sync controls.
- Open Microsoft Edge on your Windows 10 computer.
- Click the profile icon and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Open the three-dot menu.
- Select Settings.
- Navigate to Profiles and choose Sync.
- Turn on sync if it is not already enabled.
- Enable the data categories you want to synchronize.
- Repeat these steps on your other devices using the same account.
If a particular setting is unavailable, check whether your browser is up to date and whether your account or organization restricts synchronization.
How to Sync Microsoft Edge Settings on Android
You can also synchronize supported browsing data between Microsoft Edge on your Android phone and Edge on your computer.
Step 1: Install or Open Microsoft Edge
Open the Microsoft Edge app on your Android phone. If you have not installed it, download it from Google Play.
Step 2: Sign In to Your Microsoft Account
Tap the profile icon in the Edge app. Select the account option and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your computer.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete sign-in.
Step 3: Open Sync Settings
Open the Edge app’s menu and go to Settings. Select your profile or account and look for Sync or Sync settings.
The exact menu names may vary with the version of Edge installed on your phone.
Step 4: Enable Sync and Select Data
Turn on synchronization and select the supported data categories you want to share across devices.
For example, enable Favorites if you want the bookmarks saved on your computer to appear on your phone. Enable other available categories according to your needs.
Step 5: Check Your Synced Data
Open Favorites or another relevant section in Edge on Android. Check whether the information from your computer appears.
If it does not, confirm that both devices use the same account and that the relevant data category is enabled on each device.
For another way to organize your browsing sessions, read our guide to Microsoft Edge tab groups and learn how to group related tabs together.
How to Sync Microsoft Edge Settings on iPhone and iPad
Microsoft Edge also supports synchronization on supported iOS and iPadOS devices.
- Install or open Microsoft Edge on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the profile icon.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account used on your other devices.
- Open the browser’s settings.
- Find the Sync settings or account synchronization section.
- Enable sync and select the data categories you want to synchronize.
- Check Favorites, History, or other relevant sections to confirm that the data appears.
The available options may differ from the desktop version. Keep Edge updated and follow the current prompts shown in the app.
How to Choose Which Microsoft Edge Settings to Sync
You do not have to synchronize every category. Microsoft Edge lets you manage supported data types individually.
To customize sync on a computer:
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Profiles and then Sync.
- Review the available data categories.
- Turn the appropriate options on or off.
For example, you can enable Favorites and Settings while leaving History turned off if you do not want your browsing history synchronized.
On a mobile device, open the Edge app’s Settings, select your profile or account, and look for the Sync controls.
Keep in mind that disabling a sync category generally stops future synchronization of that category; it does not necessarily erase copies that already exist on other devices.
After configuring synchronization, explore these Microsoft Edge hidden features to discover additional browser tools and settings that can improve your browsing experience.
How to Turn Off Microsoft Edge Sync
If you no longer want Microsoft Edge to synchronize your browsing data, you can turn off sync or sign out of your profile.
Turn Off Individual Data Categories
If you only want to stop synchronizing certain information:
- Open Edge Settings.
- Select Profiles and then Sync.
- Find the category you want to stop synchronizing.
- Turn that category off.
This approach lets you continue using Edge while choosing which data is shared across devices.
Sign Out of Microsoft Edge
If you want to stop using your account in Edge on a particular device:
- Open the browser’s settings.
- Go to Profiles.
- Select the sign-out option.
- Follow any confirmation prompts.
On mobile, the sign-out option may be labeled Sign out and turn off sync or something similar.
Important: Turning off sync and deleting synced data are different actions. Before clearing browsing data or deleting cloud-synced information, read the confirmation messages carefully. Microsoft warns that deleting data while synchronization is active can remove that data from other synchronized devices as well.
How to Fix Microsoft Edge Sync Not Working
Sometimes Microsoft Edge sync does not work as expected. Your favorites may not appear, saved passwords may be missing, or browser settings may fail to update across devices.
Try the following solutions in order.
1. Check Your Microsoft Account
Confirm that you are signed in to the same Microsoft account on every device.
If you use different accounts on your laptop and phone, their browser data will not automatically synchronize as one profile.
2. Confirm That Sync Is Enabled
Open Settings > Profiles > Sync on your computer.
Check that synchronization is enabled and that the relevant category is turned on. For example, enabling sync without enabling Favorites will not synchronize your favorites as expected.
3. Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure your device can access the internet.
If the connection is unstable, try another trusted network and check whether synchronization resumes.
4. Update Microsoft Edge
An outdated browser may behave differently from the version installed on your other devices.
Open Edge Settings and look for the browser update section. Install any available updates, restart the browser if requested, and check sync again.
5. Restart the Browser
Close Microsoft Edge completely and open it again.
If the problem continues, restart your computer or mobile device. This can help resolve temporary application or connectivity issues.
6. Check Whether Sync Is Managed by Your Organization
If you use a company or school device, your administrator may restrict synchronization or specific data categories.
If the Sync page shows a message that a setting is managed by your organization, contact the relevant IT administrator instead of attempting to bypass the policy.
7. Review Microsoft Account or Sync Service Issues
If synchronization fails on multiple devices despite correct settings, check Microsoft’s official Edge support resources for current guidance.
Avoid repeatedly signing out, clearing browser data, or resetting profiles before you understand where the problem lies. These actions may remove local information or affect synced data.
8. Review Sync Status and Available Troubleshooting Options
Open the Sync page on each device and review any warnings or prompts. Follow the instructions Edge provides for resolving account or synchronization problems.
If the problem persists, use Microsoft’s official troubleshooting guidance:
Sign in to sync Microsoft Edge across devices
Is Microsoft Edge Sync Secure?
Microsoft Edge synchronization is designed to transfer supported browser data between your devices using Microsoft’s services. Microsoft documents encryption in transit and encrypted storage for synced data, with additional on-device encryption for sensitive data types such as passwords and addresses.
To understand how Microsoft handles browser information and privacy, review the official Microsoft Edge privacy documentation before deciding which data to synchronize.
However, syncing data to your Microsoft account means that information is stored and processed as part of the sync service. You should review the privacy implications before enabling synchronization on a shared or managed device.
To improve your account security:
- Use a strong, unique Microsoft account password.
- Enable multifactor authentication where available.
- Protect your devices with a screen lock.
- Avoid syncing personal information to devices you do not control.
- Review saved passwords and autofill information.
- Sign out of Edge on shared devices when you finish using them.
- Review Microsoft’s privacy documentation if you want to understand how synced data is handled.
You can learn more from Microsoft’s official Edge privacy documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sync Microsoft Edge settings between two computers?
Sign in to Microsoft Edge on both computers with the same Microsoft account. Open Settings, go to Profiles, select Sync, and enable synchronization. Turn on the data categories you want to share, such as Favorites, Settings, History, or Passwords.
Why are my Microsoft Edge favorites not syncing?
First, check that both devices use the same Microsoft account. Then confirm that Favorites sync is enabled on both devices, update Edge, and check your internet connection. If the problem continues, review the Sync page for warnings or account-related prompts.
Can I sync Microsoft Edge between Windows 11 and Android?
Yes. Sign in to Edge on Windows 11 and Android with the same Microsoft account, enable sync on both devices, and select the data categories you want to synchronize.
Does Microsoft Edge sync passwords automatically?
Edge can synchronize supported saved passwords when you sign in and enable the Passwords sync category. Check your account, sync settings, and password availability on both devices if saved credentials do not appear.
Can I sync Microsoft Edge without a Microsoft account?
Cross-device synchronization through Microsoft’s built-in Edge Sync feature requires an appropriate signed-in account. You can still use Edge without enabling cross-device sync, but your browser data will not automatically synchronize through this feature.
How do I stop Microsoft Edge from syncing my browsing history?
Open Edge Settings, go to Profiles, and select Sync. Turn off the History category if that option is available. This stops the browser from synchronizing that category, but it does not necessarily delete history already stored locally or on other devices.
Will deleting browsing data on one device remove it from other devices?
It can, depending on the data type and sync state. Microsoft warns that deleting data while signed in and syncing may remove it from other synchronized devices. Read the confirmation message carefully before clearing data.It can, depending on the data type and sync state. Microsoft warns that deleting data while signed in and syncing may remove it from other synchronized devices. Read the confirmation message carefully before clearing data.
Why is Microsoft Edge Sync greyed out?
Sync may be unavailable because you are not signed in, your account needs attention, a browser or service issue is present, or your organization manages the setting. Check your account status and Edge updates. If the device is managed by work or school, contact your administrator.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft Edge Sync makes it easier to use the same browsing data across your Windows PC, laptop, Android phone, and supported Apple devices. By signing in with the same Microsoft account and choosing the right sync settings, you can access supported favorites, passwords, history, and browser preferences across devices.
If sync does not work, start by checking your account, internet connection, and selected data categories. Update Edge and review any warnings before trying more disruptive troubleshooting steps.
For the best results, synchronize only the information you need, protect your Microsoft account, and be careful when deleting browsing data while sync is enabled.
