This control sends managed Chrome settings to your Macs and Windows PCs: extensions, homepage, bookmarks and a few browser options. Use it when you want every company browser set up the same way, without asking employees to do it.
Overview
| macOS | Windows | Linux | iOS / iPadOS | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ |
On macOS, Factorial IT delivers the Chrome policies inside a managed configuration profile. On Windows, it writes them as registry keys. Chrome reads them each time it starts and applies them on its own. Employees cannot change a managed setting.
When enterprise policies are active, Chrome shows a Managed by your organization notice. That is normal.
How to use
Go to MDM > Controls > Add new control and choose Google Chrome.
Optional: switch on the Factorial IT Extension. It finds the SaaS apps employees sign in to with their work Google account, so you can spot shadow IT (tools nobody approved).
To install extensions, go to Custom extension ID and click Add extension. Each extension ID is in the URL of the extension's page on the Chrome Web Store.
Type the URL you want as the default homepage. Two switches sit next to it:
Define "New tab page" as homepage: opens Chrome's new tab page instead of a URL.
Show home button: adds the home button to the toolbar.
Optional: click Add bookmark to push managed bookmarks to every targeted device.
In Restore behavior on startup, pick what Chrome opens when it launches.
Optional: set the extra switches:
Password manager: employees can save and autofill passwords in Chrome's own password manager.
Passkeys in password manager: employees can create and use passkeys there too.
Default browser setting: Chrome checks whether it is the default browser and asks the employee to make it so.
Choose where the control applies: all devices, specific device groups, or a custom target.
Change or switch off the control
Open the control from MDM > Controls to edit or disable it. Disabling stops enforcement. Settings already applied stay on the devices.
Tips and Best Practices
- Copy extension IDs from the Chrome Web Store URL. The ID is the long string of letters at the end of the address.
- Tell employees about the "Managed by your organization" notice. It saves you support tickets from people who think something is wrong.
- Remember that disabling does not clean up. Devices keep the settings they already received after you switch the control off.
- Start with a device group. Try the settings on a few devices before you target the whole company.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Troubleshooting
- A setting does not show up in Chrome. Chrome only reads policies when it starts. Ask the employee to quit and reopen Chrome.
- An employee cannot change a Chrome setting. That setting is managed by the control. Change it from MDM > Controls instead.
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Settings stay on a device after you disabled the control. This is expected. Disabling does not remove configurations already on the device.
FAQ
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Which platforms does the control support?
macOS and Windows.
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Can employees override the settings?
No. Managed settings cannot be changed on the device.
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Why does Chrome say it is managed by my organisation?
Chrome shows that notice whenever enterprise policies are active. It is expected.
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Where do I find an extension's ID?
In the URL of its page on the Chrome Web Store.