Switch to a Pixelbook

Learn how to get started with your new Pixelbook with this guide. Along the way, there are links to resources where you can find more information.

Pixelbook | How to Switch to Pixelbook from Windows or Mac

1. Prepare to switch

On your old device:

Get a Google Account

A Google Account gives you access to all Google services on the web, such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive.

• If you don't have a Google Account yet, create one.
• If you already have a Google Account, you're good to go.

Back up your Chrome bookmarks, apps and extensions

If you use the Chrome browser on your old computer, sign in to Chrome to save your bookmarks, apps and extensions to your Google Account. These settings should then show up automatically when you sign in with the same account on your device.

If you use another browser and want to switch to Chrome, you can import your old browser's bookmarks to Chrome.

Back up your files

Option 1 (recommended): Use Backup and Sync to store files and photos on Google Drive and Google Photos

It's easy to move your files and photos from your old computer to your new device with Backup and Sync. This is an app for Mac and Windows computers that backs up files and photos safely in Google Drive and Google Photos.

Note: Backup and Sync is only available for Mac and Windows computers. To back up from an iPad or iPhone, you can upload files and folders, use Google Drive files offline, and delete and restore files.

When you sign in to your Google Account on your device or any other computer, you can find and open your files and photos on Google Drive and your photos on Google Photos.

Option 2: Save your files on a storage device

Back up your files on a compatible storage device, such as a USB thumb drive or an external hard drive. To learn which storage devices are compatible with your device, check related articles.

2. Set up your new device

On your new Chrome OS device:

Sign in

1. Turn on your device.
2. Sign in to your Google Account.
3. To set up, follow the on-screen steps (check related articles for instructions).

If you previously used Chrome with the same Google Account, your device should automatically show all of your settings, bookmarks and extensions from Chrome.

Find your files and photos

Choose the same option you used to back up your files and photos:

Option 1: Find your files and photos on Google Drive and Google Photos

Google Drive

1. In laptop mode: Select the Launcher .
   In tablet mode: Go to your Home screen. To get there, swipe up from the bottom of your screen.
2. Select Google Drive  Computers.
3. Wait a few moments for your files to appear.

Google Photos

1. In laptop mode: Select the Launcher .
   In tablet mode: Go to your Home screen. To get there, swipe up from the bottom of your screen.
2. Select Google Photos .
3. Wait a few moments for your photos to appear.

If you used a different cloud storage service, you can find your files in the Files app (for some services) or on the service's website in Chrome.

Option 2: Find your files on your storage device

1. Connect the storage device to your Chrome OS device. If the device you want to connect has a USB Standard-A cable, you need to get a USB Type-C adapter.
2. In laptop mode:  Select the Launcher  click Files .
   In tablet mode: Swipe up from the bottom of your screen tap Files .
3. In the left column, select the name of your storage device.
4. To move your files from the external device to your local Files app, select the files from the external device you want and drag them to My files in the left menu.
5. To move your files to Google Drive, refer to Upload files and folders to Google Drive.

Tip: Get even more Google Drive storage for your device at no charge.

Set up your printer

Most printers that connect to Wi-Fi or a wired network are compatible.

You can also set up Google Cloud Print to make your printers available to you and anyone you choose. If you don't have a cloud-ready printer, you need both your old computer and your new device to do this task.

For more information on how to set up your printer, check related articles.

3. Get the most out of your device

Find apps for common tasks

Your device runs Android apps from the Google Play Store (like Google Photos to store and share your photos) and web apps that run in your browser (like Google Docsand Drive to create and share files online).

For more information on suggested apps you can use for common tasks, check related articles.

Work offline

When you're not connected to the Internet, you can still use your device with apps like Gmail and Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive.

Download offline apps in the Google Play Store.

For more information on how to use your device offline, check related articles.

Discover what Google Assistant can do

Find info and get things done on your Pixelbook with the help of Google Assistant. With voice or text, you can ask it questions and tell it to do things.

Using the Google Pixelbook Pen with Google Assistant is no longer supported. 

Customize your Pixelbook

• Choose your desktop wallpaper
• Choose a browser theme
• Add apps
• Learn about your Pixelbook keyboard's special keys and shortcuts

Related articles

• Set up your Pixelbook
• File types and external devices that work with Pixelbook
• Set up your printer
• Print from Chrome
• Find apps for your Pixelbook
• Use the Pixelbook Pen