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Signing into Chrome vs signing into your Google account Follow

Lisa Oosthuizen
  • Updated

This article helps students, teachers and administrators keep school and personal browsing separate. It also guides them to ensure that Hāpara works properly by signing into the Chrome browser/profile versus just a Google account.

 

In this article:

 

On a device a student is using for class activities, the should sign into their Chrome browser with their school Google account. 

Signing into the browse creates a school Chrome profile that keeps school bookmarks, extensions and history together. 

This also ensures Hāpara tools such as Highlights and Student Dashboard work correctly. 

Just signing into Google services like Gmail or Drive is not enough and can mix school activity with personal browsing. It's important then to sign in through the Chrome browser.

When a student is finished with their class activities on a shared device, they should sign out, especially if others use the computer for personal browsing.

 

Chrome browser sign-in vs Google account sign-in

The information below will help you understand the difference between signing in to the Chrome browser and a Google account.

Signing into the Chrome browser/profile

  • Uses the profile icon at the very top right of the browser window

  • Creates a Chrome profile with its own bookmarks, extensions, history and settings

  • Syncs those bookmarks and settings on any device where the student signs into Chrome

  • Runs the Hāpara student extension (for Highlights, Student Dashboard, etc.) under the correct school account

Signing into your Google account only

  • Uses the round account icon inside Chrome tabs (for Gmail, Google Drive and other Google apps)

  • Lets students see email and Drive but does not fully connect the account to the Chrome browser

  • Can cause Hāpara to behave unexpectedly if Chrome itself is not signed in with the school account

For school work and Hāpara, students should always use a school Chrome profile rather than only signing into Google websites.

 

How to sign into the Google Chrome browser as a student

Use these steps when a student is first setting up Chrome on a shared or personal device.

1. Open Google Chrome on the computer.

2. In the top right of Chrome, click the Profiles icon.

This may look like a small avatar, a person icon or a circle with an initial

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3. In the menu that opens, click Add or Add profile.
 

4. On the next screen, click the blue Sign in button to sign in to Chrome.
 

Setting_up_a_new_Google_Chrome_profile.png

5. In the sign-in window, enter the student’s school-issued email address. > Then click Next.

Signing_into_Chrome.png

6. Enter the school-issued password. > Then click Next.

7. When the new Chrome profile is created, click Next at the bottom of the screen.


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8. When asked about turning on sync, click “Yes, I’m in” to turn on sync.

This keeps school bookmarks, extensions and settings the same on any device.

It is also important so Hāpara Highlights and other Hāpara tools work properly in class.


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9. A new Chrome window opens using the student’s school Chrome profile.

The student can now go to mystudentdashboard.com or any school website to begin work.

 

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10. After setup, students will usually see two icons on the right side of Chrome:

  • The top icon shows the active Chrome profile.

  • The lower circular icon shows which Google account is signed into Google apps.

 

How to sign back into the school Chrome profile

When the student needs to use Hāpara or school tools again:

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. At the top right, click the Chrome profile icon.

If multiple profiles appear, select the student’s school profile from the list.


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3. If prompted, click Sign in again and enter the school email and password.

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4. Confirm that the Chrome profile icon and account icon both show the school account.

The student is now back in their school Chrome profile with Hāpara ready to use.

 

Additional tips

For students

  • Do not share your school password with anyone.

  • Before starting school work, check that your school Chrome profile is active (look at the profile icon at the top right).

  • If Hāpara Highlights or Student Dashboard does not appear, make sure you are signed into the Chrome browser with your school account, not a personal account.

For teachers

  • If a student cannot be seen in Hāpara Highlights or appears under the wrong account, ask them:

    • “Are you signed into Chrome with your school account?”

    • “Does the Chrome profile at the top right show your school profile?”

  • Share this article with families when students use shared home devices.

For Hāpara administrators and IT teams

  • Encourage the use of separate Chrome profiles for each user on shared machines.

  • Use Google Admin Console policies so the Hāpara student extension is deployed to school accounts and profiles only.

  • Pair this article with your existing shared-device best practices.

 

 

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