Google Chrome collects usage statistics and crash reports to improve performance and fix issues, but it is designed to limit and protect the data shared.
When enabled, Chrome sends usage statistics such as feature usage, performance data, and basic system information. It also sends crash reports when the browser fails, helping developers identify and fix problems.
However, Chrome minimizes personal data in these reports. Information is often aggregated or anonymized, meaning it is not directly linked to your identity. Sensitive details like passwords, full browsing history, or personal form data are not intentionally included.
Data is transmitted securely using encrypted connections, reducing the risk of interception during transfer.
You have full control over this feature. During installation or in Settings > Privacy and security, you can enable or disable Help improve Chrome’s features and performance (wording may vary). Turning it off stops Chrome from sending usage statistics and crash reports.
To improve features, services and performance, Chrome has the option to collect and send Google usage statistics and crash reports.
Some statistics from Chrome users can be found in the Chrome User Experience Report.
Usage statistics
Usage statistics measure the effectiveness of browser features and performance. The data collected includes how you use your browser, your system information, your browser performance, settings and preferences. If the setting 'Help improve Chrome's features and performance' is enabled, Chrome will periodically send usage statistics to Google.
If the setting 'Make searches and browsing better (sends URLs of pages that you visit to Google)' is enabled, Chrome additionally shares statistics with Google about sites that you go to and how you use them. Chrome can share statistics about saved extensions that you install from the Chrome Web Store.
Crash reports
Crash reports contain system information from the time of the crash. These reports may include site URLs, your activity before the crash and the contents of the memory at the time of the crash.
Usage statistics aren't associated with your Google Account and don't include personally identifiable information. When usage statistics are turned on:
- Chrome generates a random unique identifier for reports sent from your device. This identifier helps us keep statistics organised without tying them to your personal information. Every time that you disable or enable this feature, a new identifier will be generated.
- If you're signed in to Chrome, usage statistics may include information like the age and gender entered on your Google Account. This information is used to help build better products for your demographics.
Optional settings, like 'Make searches and browsing better' or saving extensions to your Google Account, allow Chrome to collect URLs and extension information. A separate and random unique identifier generated by Chrome is used to send this data. This identifier is not related to or directly joined to the usage statistics identifier. Once the statistics are received on Google's servers, URLs known to Google are stored and unknown URLs are discarded.
Google uses aggregate data received from users to better understand Chrome's performance and to guide improvement priorities. Some of these aggregate statistics are available in the Chrome User Experience Report.
Chrome sends usage statistics and crash reports by default. You can turn this feature on or off in your settings.
Change usage statistic and crash reports settings
This setting is enabled by default. You can turn it off when you install Chrome or later in your settings. When you turn off this feature, Chrome doesn't send usage statistics to Google.
Computer
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More
Settings
- Select Google services.
- Turn Help improve Chrome's features and performance on or off.
- If you use a ChromeOS device, this step will guide you to the ChromeOS security and privacy settings page instead. From there:
- Select Privacy controls.
- Turn Help improve ChromeOS features and performance on or off.
- If you use a ChromeOS device, this step will guide you to the ChromeOS security and privacy settings page instead. From there:
Android
- On your Android device, open Chrome
.
- At the top right, tap More
- Turn Help improve Chrome's features and performance on or off.
iOS
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome
- Tap More
- Turn Help improve Chrome's features and performance on or off.
Change 'Make searches and browsing better' setting
Metrics about URLs are only sent to Google when you enable 'Make searches and browsing better' and 'Help improve Chrome's features and performance'.
Computer
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More
- Select Google services.
- Turn Make searches and browsing better on or off.
Android
- On your Android device, open Chrome
- At the top right, tap More
- Turn Make searches and browsing better on or off.
iOS
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Chrome
- Tap More
- Turn Make searches and browsing better on or off.
Tip: If you turn off 'Make searches and browsing better' or 'Help improve Chrome's features and performance', the identifier sent to Google will be reset.
Change extension saving settings
Metrics about extensions are only sent to Google when you save extensions to your Google Account.
Computer
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More
- Click on the name of your account.
- Under 'In your Google Account', turn Extensions on or off.
Related resources
- Start or stop automatically reporting errors and crashes
- Install and manage extensions
- Sign in to Chrome
If you are signed in, the data may be associated with your Google Account, but it is still handled under strict privacy policies and security protections.
Chrome also separates diagnostic data from your personal content. For example, crash reports focus on technical issues rather than what you were doing in detail.
In summary, Chrome keeps usage statistics and crash reports private by minimizing identifiable data, using encryption, and giving you control over whether this information is shared.
