How to activate and use Brave Sync to synchronize devices.

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Introduction

Brave Sync is a built-in feature of the Brave browser that allows you to synchronize your bookmarks, passwords, history, open tabs and other browsing data across multiple devices. Unlike traditional cloud accounts, Brave Sync uses end-to-end encryption and a passphrase or QR code to securely link your devices. This article walks you through every step—from activating Sync on desktop or mobile to adding additional devices and managing your sync settings.

Prerequisites

  • Brave browser installed on each device (desktop or mobile).
  • Latest version of Brave (Sync was introduced in Brave 1.0 and improved in subsequent releases).
  • Internet connection to perform the initial setup and ongoing synchronization.
  • A secure place to store your Sync passphrase or QR code if you plan to add more devices later.

1. Activating Sync on Desktop

1.1 Access Sync Settings

  1. Open the Brave browser on your desktop (Windows, macOS or Linux).
  2. Click the menu icon in the top right corner (three horizontal lines or dots).
  3. Select Settings from the dropdown.
  4. In the left sidebar, click Sync.

1.2 Start a New Sync Chain

  1. In the Sync settings page, click Start a new Sync Chain.
  2. Choose Computer when prompted for device type.
  3. You will see a 24-word Sync passphrase and a QR code.
  4. Important: Copy the passphrase and store it securely, or take a screenshot of the QR code if you plan to scan it from another device.
  5. Click Done to complete the desktop setup.

2. Activating Sync on Mobile

2.1 Install and Open Brave

  • Download Brave from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
  • Open the Brave app and tap the three-dot menu (Android) or bottom toolbar menu (iOS).
  • Select Settings.

2.2 Join Your Existing Sync Chain

  1. In Settings, tap Sync then Scan a QR code if you noted the QR code earlier, or tap Enter your Sync Code to type the 24-word passphrase.
  2. Use your camera to scan the desktop QR code or manually input the words in order.
  3. Choose which data types you want to sync (bookmarks, passwords, history, etc.).
  4. Tap OK or Join to finalize the mobile setup.

3. Adding Additional Devices

You can add as many devices as you like. Each additional device joins the same Sync Chain.

  1. On the new device, open Brave and go to Settings → Sync.
  2. Select Connect a device.
  3. Scan the original QR code or enter the 24-word passphrase.
  4. Choose your preferred data types and confirm.

4. Managing Sync Options

Brave lets you customize exactly what data you share across devices. In the Sync settings page, you can toggle each category on or off.

Data Type Description
Bookmarks Your saved website links, folders and structure.
History Records of sites you’ve visited.
Passwords Login credentials stored in Brave’s password manager.
Open Tabs Tabs you currently have open on each device.
Extensions Installed Brave extensions and their settings.
Autofill Form data such as addresses and credit cards.

5. Sync Passphrase and Security

Your Sync passphrase is the key to decrypting your data. Brave does not store it on any server. If you lose it, you cannot add new devices or recover your sync chain. To maintain security:

  • Store the 24-word passphrase offline in a safe place.
  • Do not share it electronically (email or chat).
  • Regenerate a new Sync Chain if you suspect compromise by starting over on one device and adding others.

6. Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Sync not appearing: Ensure you are using the latest Brave version. Restart the browser.
  • Passphrase errors: Check for typos or wrong word order. Words must be exact.
  • Data not updating: Confirm you toggled the specific data type on each device. Give it a few minutes to propagate.
  • QR code won’t scan: Increase screen brightness or reduce camera glare. You can always enter the passphrase manually.

Conclusion

Activating and using Brave Sync is straightforward and enhances your browsing experience by seamlessly sharing your data across devices. Thanks to end-to-end encryption, your information stays private and secure. Whether on desktop or mobile, you’re always just a few clicks away from accessing bookmarks, passwords and open tabs from any synced device. For more details or troubleshooting, visit the official Brave Sync support page.

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