The first account that signs in to a Chromebook becomes its Owner. To change the Owner, powerwash the Chromebook and then sign in with the account you want to own it. There is no setting that transfers ownership without a reset, and a powerwash erases everything stored locally on the device.
Before you start
- Applies to: Personal Chromebooks running ChromeOS that are not managed by a school or workplace.
- You need: Access to the current Owner account, and the sign-in details for the new account.
- Back up first: Copy anything from the Downloads folder to Google Drive or a USB drive. Files already in Drive are safe.
Who is the Owner on a Chromebook?
The Owner is the first person who signs in to a Chromebook after it is set up or reset. The role is similar to an administrator account on other systems, and it exists only on personal Chromebooks.
Only the Owner can:
- Control which other accounts may sign in
- Manage network settings
- Change the time zone
- Switch the update channel
- Manage usage statistics and crash report settings
How do I change the Owner account?
A powerwash deletes every local file and setting on the Chromebook, including other users’ local data. Back up your Downloads folder before you start, because this cannot be undone.
- Sign in to the Chromebook using the current Owner account.
- Open Settings, then Advanced, then Reset settings.
- Click Powerwash, then click Restart to confirm.
- When the Chromebook restarts, sign in with the account you want to be the new Owner. Whichever account signs in first takes the role.
Resetting is not elegant, but it is the only method ChromeOS offers for changing the Owner on a personal device. Setup after a reset takes only a few minutes, so it is also worth doing before you hand a Chromebook to anyone outside your household.
Not sure how a reset works? Read our guide on how and when to powerwash a Chromebook.
What if the Chromebook belongs to a school or workplace?
Managed Chromebooks work differently. There is no single Owner account, and the powerwash option is usually blocked by policy, so you cannot change ownership yourself. Contact the ChromeOS administrator to have the device reset or reassigned.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the Chromebook Owner without a powerwash?
No. ChromeOS ties the Owner role to the first account that signs in after a reset, and there is no setting to transfer it afterwards.
Does a powerwash delete files in Google Drive?
No. A powerwash erases local data only. Anything synced to Google Drive stays in your account and comes back when you sign in.
How do I know which account is the Owner?
Sign in and open Settings. The Owner sees options that other users do not, such as the controls for sign-in permissions and the update channel. Other accounts see those settings greyed out.
What happens to the old Owner account?
It is removed from the device along with the rest of the local data. The Google account itself is untouched and can sign in again as a regular user.
Related guides
- How and When to Powerwash a Chromebook
- How to Add a New User to a Chromebook
- Chromebook System Storage Full? What a Powerwash Does
- How to Back Up a Chromebook
Changing the Owner comes down to one thing: reset the Chromebook, then make sure the right account is the first to sign in. Back up your Downloads folder before you start, and if the device is managed by a school or employer, the administrator has to do it for you.
Last verified: 15 August 2026
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