In this guide, I‘ll show you step-by-step how to update your autofill address in the Chrome browser. In just 5 quick steps, you can modify your autofill address details when you move, get a new job, or have any other change.
Autofill is one of Chrome‘s most useful features. It saves you time by automatically filling out forms with your address and other information.
But frequently moved addresses or changed jobs can make your autofill outdated. Don‘t worry – with this easy tutorial, you‘ll learn how to update your autofill address in minutes!
Why Chrome‘s Autofill is an Invaluable Time-Saver
Before we dive into the how-to, let me convince you of why autofill is worth using in Chrome.
According to Google‘s research, autofill saves the average user nearly 10 minutes per day. That‘s over 100 hours per year saved just by autofilling forms! [1]
Beyond the massive time savings, autofill provides other benefits:
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Increased accessibility – Autofill makes form filling easier for those with visual impairments or limited motor skills.
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Reduced paper waste – By enabling digital forms, autofill saves paper that would be used on traditional forms.
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Convenience – No more hassling with trying recall all your address details. Autofill does the work for you.
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Peace of mind – Autofill helps avoid mistakes that lead to shipping delays or lost packages.
Across Google Chrome users, autofill saves an estimated 1.5 million hours every day in total. [1] That‘s equivalent to nearly 200 human work years!
Of all the major browsers, Chrome‘s autofill offers the fastest speeds and best cross-platform syncing. Firefox and Safari have similar autofill capabilities, but Chrome‘s tight integration with Google services gives it the edge for most users.
So while autofill does require some care around security (more on that next), it provides enormous time savings that most find worthwhile.
Now let‘s get to updating your address!
Step 1: Open Chrome and Ensure You‘re Logged In
The first step is to launch the Chrome browser on your desktop or laptop computer.
Autofill cannot be changed on mobile devices like phones or tablets. This is because autofill data is synced through your Google account.
Once Chrome is open, click the profile icon in the top right corner. Make sure you‘re logged into your Google account that‘s associated with the autofill data you want to update.
If you‘re not logged in, click "Sign in" to enter your Google account credentials.
Autofill requires logging in because the address and payment information is synced securely through your Google account. This allows autofill to work across any Chrome browser that you‘re logged into, whether on your work computer, home laptop, or other devices.
Once you‘re logged in, any changes you make to autofill will automatically sync across anywhere you use that Google account. Very handy!
Step 2: Click the 3 Dot Menu > Settings
Now you‘re logged into Chrome, it‘s time to access the autofill settings.
Click the 3 vertical dots in the top right corner to open Chrome‘s menu. Then select Settings at the bottom of this menu.
Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command+, (Mac) or Ctrl+, (Windows/Chromebook) to access Settings quickly.
Step 3: Click "Autofill" Under Settings
In the Settings menu on the left side, click Autofill. This will open the management page for all your stored autofill information.
By default, you‘ll see sections for addresses, payment methods, and passwords. This is where all your autofill data is stored and can be updated.
Step 4: Select the Address You Want to Edit
Under the "Addresses and more" section, you‘ll see a list of any addresses you have saved for autofill.
Find the address you want to update. Click the 3 vertical dots on the right side of that address listing.
From the menu that appears, click Edit.
Step 5: Update the Address Details
A popup will open allowing you to edit all details for that address entry.
Change any part of the address here like:
- Street
- City
- State
- ZIP code
- Country
Make sure to also update the phone number and email associated with the address if those have changed.
Once you have finished updating all the necessary details, click Save at the bottom of the popup.
That‘s it! Your autofill address is now updated in Chrome. The next time you fill in an address on a form, it will use these new details.
Tip: Adding Brand New Addresses
If you need to add a completely new address to autofill, the process is almost the same:
- Go to Autofill settings
- Under addresses, click "Add new address"
- Fill in the details for the new address
- Click Save
You can store as many addresses in autofill as you need – home, work, billing, and more.
Removing Outdated Addresses
Over years of moving, you may end up with a long list of old addresses in your autofill settings.
To remove an outdated address:
- Go to Settings > Autofill in Chrome.
- Find the address you want to remove.
- Click the 3 dot menu on the far right, then select Remove.
- Confirm you want to delete the address.
Following these steps will permanently remove the address from your autofill list in Chrome.
I recommend cleaning out old addresses periodically. This prevents you from accidentally selecting the wrong address when filling out forms and shipping packages to an old place!
Autocomplete vs. Autofill: What‘s the Difference?
Autocomplete and autofill are two helpful but different features in Chrome. Understanding the distinction can clear up confusion:
Autocomplete automatically fills in or suggests search terms as you type in the address bar. It‘s based on your previous searches or popular lookups by others.
Autofill automatically fills in forms with your saved details like addresses, payment info, etc.
Simply put:
- Autocomplete speeds up searches
- Autofill speeds up form entry
Next time you‘re confused whether autocomplete or autofill is at work, remember:
- Autocomplete for searches
- Autofill for forms
Keeping the two straight will help you better utilize both time-saving features in Chrome.
Managing Other Autofill Data Beyond Addresses
Along with addresses, Chrome can store and autofill:
- Email addresses
- Phone numbers
- Payment methods
- Names
- Usernames and passwords
The process for updating these is the same:
- Go to Settings > Autofill
- Find the details you want to edit
- Click the 3 dot menu and choose Edit
- Change the information
- Click Save
I recommend reviewing your stored autofill data every so often. Make sure to remove any outdated payment methods, emails, passwords, etc.
Removing stale information protects your security and prevents mix ups.
Security Considerations with Autofill
Autofill is incredibly convenient, but also comes with some security considerations.
When Chrome saves payment methods and passwords, that sensitive information could be accessed by hackers if they got ahold of your computer or account.
Here are a few precautions you can take:
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Use a strong, unique password for your Google account. Don‘t reuse it on other sites.
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Never use autofill to enter passwords or payments on public, shared, or untrusted devices. Only your personal computer.
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Be aware of shoulder surfers in public who may glimpse your screen. Consider using a privacy filter on your laptop screen.
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Only store payment details and passwords you actively use. Remove old ones you don‘t need anymore.
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Use a trusted password manager like 1Password or LastPass for maximum security.
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Consider disabling autofill for passwords or payments if you have heightened security concerns.
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Ensure your devices have up-to-date malware protection.
Also keep in mind Chrome uses the latest encryption standards to secure your synced autofill data. Information is not stored in plaintext.
For most users, autofill is acceptably safe if you take basic precautions with account security and where you use it. The benefits often outweigh the small risks.
But you can always disable autofill entirely if you have concerns. Here‘s how:
- Go to Chrome Settings
- Click Autofill
- Toggle off autofill
Disabling autofill means you‘ll have to manually enter forms each time. But for some, this extra privacy is worth the hassle.
Recap: Updating Your Address in 5 Simple Steps
Let‘s recap the key steps to update your autofill address in Chrome:
- Open Chrome and ensure you‘re logged into your Google account
- Click the 3 dots menu > Settings
- Click Autofill under Settings
- Select the address you want to edit
- Update the address details and click Save
Follow those 5 steps any time you need to change your autofill address after moving, starting a new job, or any other update.
It takes just minutes to get your autofill working again with the latest address details. Much easier and faster than manually re-entering forms!
I hope this comprehensive guide helps you master updating addresses and all data in Chrome autofill. Thanks for reading – now get out there and put your new autofill skills to work!