Filling out tedious online forms is about to get much faster for millions of web users. Google has rolled out a significant update to the Chrome browser that streamlines how you enter personal information. The browser can now pull details like your name, address, and payment info directly from your Google Account to autofill fields on the web. This new capability works simply by being signed in to Google.
Using your account data to fill forms
Google is shifting how it handles your personal data to make browsing more seamless. Previously, Chrome relied heavily on the “Sync” feature to manage your information across devices. That is changing. Now, the browser utilizes the information already stored in your Google Account to assist you the moment you sign in.
This means Chrome can automatically fill in your name and email address on login or signup pages without requiring full sync to be enabled.
The goal is to reduce friction. We have all been there. You are trying to buy a concert ticket or sign up for a newsletter, and you have to type the same information for the thousandth time. This update aims to eliminate that repetitive manual entry.
When you visit a website that asks for your contact details, Chrome checks if you are signed in. If you are, it offers to pull your saved name, email, home address, or work address securely from your account profile. It acts as a bridge between your stored Google profile and the open web.
This feature is currently rolling out across all major platforms. Whether you use Chrome on a desktop computer, an Android phone, or an iOS device, you will start seeing these prompts appear automatically.
Google chrome browser autofill settings on smartphone screen
Wallet integration saves travel and vehicle details
The most exciting part of this update is the deep integration with Google Wallet. This goes beyond just credit card numbers. Google is positioning Chrome as a digital assistant that holds your physical wallet’s contents in a secure virtual space.
Users can now save and autofill a wide variety of specific identification numbers and travel details. This is particularly useful for complex forms that require precise data which you might not have memorized.
You can now store and autofill the following information:
- Passport numbers
- Driver license details
- Vehicle Information Number (VIN)
- License plate numbers
- Loyalty card memberships
- Known traveler numbers
Imagine you are at the airport renting a car on your phone. Usually, this involves juggling your physical wallet, your phone, and your passport while trying to type on a small screen. With this update, Chrome can pull your insurance quote data, confirmation numbers, and frequent flyer details directly from Google Wallet.
Google stated that this data is “pulled securely” only when required. This integration is a major step forward for the company’s ecosystem. It encourages users to keep all their vital documents digitized within Google’s secure environment.
Better address suggestions on mobile devices
Mobile users often face the hardest challenge when filling out forms due to limited screen space. Google has addressed this specific pain point with a clever design tweak for Android users.
Chrome on Android will now display address autofill suggestions in two lines instead of one. This might sound like a small change, but it has a huge impact on usability.
In the past, users with similar addresses or multiple delivery locations often struggled to see the full text in a single line. By splitting the information, it becomes much easier to distinguish between your home address and your work address at a glance.
Google has also improved how it recognizes address fields globally.
Forms are built differently in various parts of the world. A shipping form in the US looks very different from one in Japan or Germany. Chrome now uses smarter detection to understand exactly what a specific field is asking for, regardless of the website’s region. This ensures that your city, state, and zip code land in the correct boxes every time.
How to turn on enhanced autofill settings
While these features are powerful, Google has made some of them opt-in to respect user privacy. The “Enhanced Autofill” option is disabled by default for many users. You need to turn it on to take full advantage of the new document and wallet features.
Here is how you can enable and manage these settings:
- Open your Chrome browser settings.
- Navigate to the “Autofill” section.
- Look for “Enhanced Autofill” and toggle the switch to on.
- Click the “Add” button to manually input new data types like your Passport or Vehicle info.
Once you save this information, it stays in your Google Account. It is ready to use whenever you encounter a relevant form.
There is an important privacy trade-off to consider here. A support page on Google’s website notes that when you use this feature, the site’s URL and content may be shared with Google. The company uses this info to improve its suggestion algorithms.
If you are a privacy hardliner, you might prefer using a dedicated offline password manager. Most third-party password managers offer similar form-filling capabilities without sending site data back to a central server. However, for the average user who prioritizes convenience, Chrome’s native solution offers a frictionless experience that is hard to beat.
To sum it up, this update transforms Chrome from a simple web browser into an active assistant. It removes the tedious grunt work of the internet. By leveraging the data you have already given to Google, the browser creates a faster and smoother path from “Add to Cart” to “Checkout.”
We would love to hear your thoughts on this new level of integration. Do you feel comfortable letting Google handle your passport and vehicle data, or do you prefer keeping that information offline? If you are excited about saving time, join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #ChromeAutofill and share this news with your friends.
