Chrome autofill can now use Gmail to suggest form details

In short: Google is updating Chrome so its autofill can suggest form answers using details from your Gmail, if you give permission.

What happened

Google said Chrome is getting an “enhanced” autofill feature that can look at information in your Gmail and then suggest it when you are filling out online forms. Autofill is the tool that fills in boxes for you, like your address or phone number.

With this update, Chrome may suggest things like flight confirmation numbers, package tracking numbers, order details, membership IDs, and other information that is often found in email receipts and confirmations. It is similar to how some phones spot a one time code in a text message and make it easy to paste it into an app (like having a helpful assistant hold the right sticky note at the top of your keyboard).

Google says this feature is optional. Users can choose whether to turn it on in Chrome settings. Google also says sensitive data is encrypted, which means it is scrambled so it is harder for outsiders to read.

The company says the feature is rolling out to U.S. users on desktop. It is also coming to Gemini in Chrome on iOS and Android. Gemini is Google’s AI assistant, which is a chat style helper inside Google products.

Why it matters

Filling out forms is a common and annoying part of shopping, travel, and account setup online. If Chrome can pull the right detail from an email you already have, it could save time and reduce mistakes. At the same time, some people may not want their browser to use their inbox this way, even with permission, so the on off switch and privacy details will matter.

Source: TechCrunch AI