[Fix] “Allow Chrome Sign-in” Option is Grayed Out (Locked) in Google Chrome Settings

PROBLEM SYMPTOM:

Google developer team recently added a new option to Google Chrome 70 and later versions which allows users to disable the automatic sign-in feature of the web browser known as “Identity Consistency” or “Account Consistency“. But many Chrome users have reported us that the new option “Allow Chrome Sign-in” is grayed out (or greyed out as some people prefer) in Chrome Settings. In other words, the “Allow Chrome Sign-in” option is locked (like someone disabled the option) and can’t be changed. Users can’t toggle the option i.e. can’t turn it on or off. The option is set to ON by default and can’t be customized.

Following screenshot shows that the new option is grayed out in Google Chrome settings page:

Short story behind this new option introduction:

In previous Google Chrome versions, whenever a user signed into Google websites and services such as Gmail, YouTube, etc using Google Account, Google Chrome automatically signed into browser’s local user account using user’s Google Account information. So the user’s online Google Account and Chrome’s built-in local user account were linked together. Google Chrome didn’t provide any direct option in Settings to turn off this feature.

After getting users feedback, Google added a new option “Allow Chrome Sign-in” in Chrome Settings page which can be set to ON or OFF to enable/disable this new identity consistency feature.

You can check out following tutorials to learn full details of this feature and story:

[Tip] Stop Google Chrome from Using Your Google Account to Automatic Sign into Browser

[Fix] Google Chrome Automatically Signs into Browser When You Log into Gmail or Other Google Services

PROBLEM REASON:

After doing some research and trying out the things myself, I was able to find out the culprit behind the problem.

The issue of “Allow Chrome Sign-in” option grayed out will occur if the user is already signed into local user account of Chrome and the Sync option is enabled.

I think it has been done to prevent data loss because if a user sets the new option “Allow Chrome Sign-in” to OFF, it’ll sign out the user from Chrome’s built-in local user account and the sync functionality will stop working.

That’s why the “Allow Chrome Sign-in” option is grayed out if a user is signed into browser’s local user account and currently using the sync function.

Some people may consider it as a feature and some may consider it as a bug.

PROBLEM SOLUTION:

The solution to fix this problem is very simple. Sign out from local user account or turn off the sync functionality and you’ll be able to use the new “Allow Chrome Sign-in” option.

Follow these simple steps to make the new option “Allow Chrome Sign-in” working and clickable:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the user picture icon/avatar shown at the right-side of the toolbar. It’ll open the signed in account’s settings page.

2. Now click on Turn off button given next to the account name.

3. Google Chrome will show you a message that turning off sync and signing out will sign you out from Google accounts and your bookmarks, history, passwords, settings, etc will stop syncing to your Google Account.

Click on “Turn off” button again.

That’s it.

Now open Google Chrome settings, scroll down to bottom, click on “Advanced” option and under “Privacy and security” section check the new option “Allow Chrome sign-in” status.

Now it’ll be no longer grayed out or locked. Now you’ll be able to change it. Now you can turn it on or off according to your requirements.

Enjoy!!!

Also Check:

[Tip] Disable or Remove Google Account Sync Feature in Chrome