Install Accountable2You for Chrome OS / Chromebooks

1.   Before you begin, a few questions: 

• Are you installing this Chrome extension on a Windows, Mac, or Linux device?
  • If yes, this extension is unnecessary. Use the hyperlinks shown above to install our whole-computer monitoring for those devices instead.

• Are you using a Chromebook that's administrated by a school, employer, or other organization? 
  • If yes, it's important to note that many organizations disable "Incognito Mode" in the browser, sometimes adding other restrictions as well. If an organization manages your Chrome OS device, you'll most likely want to use the "School Edition" of this same Chromebook installation, found here.

2. Preparing your Chrome OS device for accountability: 

Background: 

Whichever Google account first signs into a Chrome OS device becomes the device owner-administrator, who can also disable Accountable2You. This scenario can pose a problem if the owner-administrator user also desires accountability. 

If the current owner-administrator (e.g., the first user who signed into the device) also wants accountability, you'll want to reset or "Powerwash" the Chrome OS device. Next, you'll set it up again so that the owner-administrator account is the parent, guardian, or someone who's agreed to help with accountability.

Thankfully, the task of "Powerwashing" a Chrome OS device isn't too tedious as Google does a great job storing settings and content in the cloud (but still make sure you've saved everything else!).

Configure your Chrome OS device:

1. Make sure you've synced your existing data for all user's accounts and also made a backup of all data.
2. Reset or "Powerwash" your Chrome OS device following these steps - but don't sign into the device after the reset; follow the steps found below.
3. Next, have the new owner-administrator (e.g., the person who won't be monitored on this device) perform the following steps:
4. Have the owner-administrator sign into the Chrome OS device using their Google credentials.
5. ​Disable the Google Play Store by following the steps found here - but turning it off, rather than turning it on as shown in Google's instructions.
   • Note that some devices do not offer this option. If your device does not have this option, skip to the next step.
6. Go to Settings (click the area of toolbar near the clock; then click the gear/cog symbol).
7. Scroll to the People section and then and then click on Manage Other People.
8. Set Enable Guest browsing to the OFF position (gray).
9. Set Restrict sign-in to the following users to the ON (blue) position.
10. Click Add person below and put in the email address(es) needing access to the Chrome OS device (this can be modified later as well).
11. Sign out of the Chrome OS device - don't switch users.
12. At the sign-in screen, sign in as once of the users who will use the device for accountability.
13. Complete the steps shown in the next section of the guide. 
14. Repeat steps 10-12 shown above for any other users who will use the device as well.

3.   Installing the Accountable2You Chrome Extension

1. Sign in to your Chrome OS device as the user who desires accountability (e.g., - the person who's activity will be tracked)
2. On the Chrome OS device, visit this link to the Chrome Web Store: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/
3. In the top left, search for "Accountable2You" and press Enter.
4. Click the "Add to Chrome" button.
5. On the prompt that appears, click the "Add extension" button.
6. Click the blue "Login" button that appears. 
7. Check the box for "I accept the terms" and then click "Continue."
8. Log in with your Accountable2You account information, type a memorable name to describe the device, and click "Add Chrome to Account." Forgot your password or username? Click here.
9. On the next screen, click the blue "Install Validator" button.
10. Click the blue "Add to Chrome" button for the Accountable2You Validator.
11. On the prompt that appears, click the "Add extension" button.
12. On the following screen, click the blue "Enable Incognito Monitoring" button.
13. Click "Details" for the Accountable2You extension (you can ignore the Accountable2You Validator extension).
14. Toward the bottom of the page, click to enable "Allow incognito." 
15. A screen should automatically appear showing a list of green checkmarks, indicating that the extension is correctly installed.
16. You're almost done! Next, close all open Google Chrome browsers. 
17. Open Google Chrome once more. Toward the top right of the window, click the blue and green A2U extension icon (ignore the gray one) to confirm all green checkmarks appear.  
18. Last, but not least, sign in to your Accountable2You account and add partners to your device. You're all set!