Switching between multiple AWS accounts has long been a challenge. Whether you're managing isolated environments, client accounts, or separate workloads, the process often involved clunky workarounds—different browsers, incognito windows, or third-party tools. Recently, AWS introduced a feature that makes managing multiple AWS accounts in the same browser much easier, simplifying workflows for developers and engineers alike.
With this feature, you can log into up to five AWS accounts simultaneously in the same browser. Each account opens in its own tab, and there's no need to log in and out repeatedly. It’s an opt-in feature and easy to enable through the AWS Management Console. For anyone working with multiple accounts, this change removes a lot of daily friction.
Why Multiple AWS Accounts Are Critical
Using multiple AWS accounts isn’t just for convenience; it’s a best practice for security, cost management, and compliance. For example:
- Environment isolation: Separate accounts keep production environments safe from development or staging mishaps.
- Cost and usage control: With multiple accounts, it’s easier to track spending and allocate costs to specific teams or projects.
- Security boundaries: Isolating workloads in their own accounts reduces the blast radius of potential breaches.
Many businesses use AWS Organizations to centrally manage accounts, implement service control policies, and simplify billing. Combining these tools with AWS’s new multi-account browser feature further enhances your ability to manage accounts efficiently.
Tools Like Granted: Do You Still Need Them?
Before this update, tools like Granted were indispensable for those juggling multiple AWS accounts. Granted streamlined CLI workflows and included browser extensions for quick role switching. If you’re deeply embedded in CLI-based workflows, Granted still offers value—especially for managing dozens of accounts or switching frequently.
However, for console-heavy users, AWS’s new feature eliminates the need for extra tools in many scenarios. You can now debug one environment while monitoring another, all within the same browser.
