How to Switch from Chrome to Brave Browser

Why Switch from Chrome to Brave?

Chrome is a surveillance tool that tracks your browsing history, searches, and behavior to build advertising profiles. Brave blocks trackers and ads by default while remaining fully compatible with Chrome extensions.

Step 1: Download Brave Browser

1. Visit brave.com
2. Download Brave for your operating system
3. Run the installer
4. Launch Brave when installation completes

Step 2: Import Chrome Data

When you first launch Brave, it offers to import your Chrome data:

1. Click “Import bookmarks and settings”
2. Select “Google Chrome” from the dropdown
3. Choose what to import:
   • Browsing history
   • Bookmarks
   • Saved passwords
   • Extensions (compatibility varies)
4. Click “Import”

If you missed the import prompt:

1. Go to brave://settings/importData
2. Select Google Chrome
3. Choose your data and import

Step 3: Install Your Extensions

Most Chrome extensions work in Brave:

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store
2. Search for your extensions
3. Click “Add to Brave”

Popular extensions that work great in Brave:

• uBlock Origin (though Brave’s built-in blocking is excellent)
• Bitwarden or 1Password
• Dark Reader
• Privacy Badger (redundant but works)

Step 4: Set Brave as Default Browser

Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps
2. Find Web browser section
3. Select Brave

Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences > General
2. Set Default web browser to Brave

Linux:

1. Go to Settings > Details > Default Applications
2. Set Web to Brave

Step 5: Configure Brave Shields

Brave Shields block ads and trackers. Customize them:

1. Click the lion icon in the address bar
2. Adjust settings:
   • Trackers & ads blocking: Standard or Aggressive
   • Upgrade connections to HTTPS: Enable
   • Block scripts: Off (breaks many sites)
   • Block fingerprinting: Standard or Strict

Tip: If a site breaks, try lowering Shield settings for that specific site.

Step 6: Set Up Brave Sync

Sync bookmarks and passwords across devices:

1. Go to brave://settings/braveSync
2. Click “Start a new Sync Chain”
3. Choose what to sync
4. Scan the QR code on your other devices or enter the code words

Step 7: Disable Chrome

Once comfortable with Brave:

Windows:

1. Settings > Apps > Apps & Features
2. Find Google Chrome > Uninstall

Mac:

1. Find Chrome in Applications folder
2. Drag to Trash
3. Empty Trash

Brave Features to Explore

• Brave Rewards: Optional program to earn crypto for viewing privacy-respecting ads
• Private Window with Tor: Browse anonymously through the Tor network
• Brave Talk: Private video conferencing built into the browser
• Brave Search: Set the private search engine as default

Troubleshooting

Extension not working: Some Chrome extensions use Google-specific APIs. Search for Brave-compatible alternatives.

Site looks broken: Try disabling Shields for that site. Click the lion icon and toggle off.

Missing passwords: Re-import from Chrome at brave://settings/importData

What’s Next?

• Try Brave Search instead of Google
• Explore the rewards program if interested
• Use Private Window with Tor for sensitive browsing
• Consider Brave on your mobile devices too