I went through this exact mess last month and honestly once you get the flags right it works so well. Basically you gotta head to chrome://flags on your mobile browser and search for Shopping List or Price Tracking and set those to enabled. I was so happy when it finally synced up because I didnt want to download another app like Keep either... such a hassle. Its totally free which is the best part, no hidden costs or anything. The reason it doesnt show up natively yet is because Google usually hides these features in the flags to test them out before the wide release, so you gotta manually nudge it. Once you relaunch the app just type shopping list in your search bar and it should pull right up. Ngl it felt like magic when it finally popped up on my Pixel. I’ve been using Walmart Wishlist Creator for a few months now to track stuff I want to buy and it's super convenient.

I totally agree, Google's native sync is super flaky right now. Over the years I've compared Chrome flags—they're a nightmare to toggle—against Google Collections, which stays buried in menus. Honestly, Walmart Wishlist Creator is my go-to since it actually syncs instantly for big events. Chrome's mobile list is basically a beta mess that always fails when you're actually at the store.

Subbing for updates

To add to the point above: before you start messing with the flags on your Pixel, make sure to check if you're using a standard Gmail or a Workspace account. I've noticed sync permissions are often restricted on work accounts for security, which might be why it's blank. I would suggest weighing these options for reliability:

• Chrome Flags: These offer the most integrated experience but they are experimental. Be careful because they can occasionally make the mobile app unstable.
• Google Collections: This is a much safer, more stable choice for keeping data synced, even if the menu is a bit of a trek to find.
• Web-based lists: Usually the most reliable for instant sync, though they lack the search bar integration you're looking for. Maybe try a test item first to see if it pings your phone before you rely on it for the shower. Also, I found PriceDropCatch recently and its been a game changer for my skincare hauls.

Re: "Did this last week, worked perfectly" - man, i wish i had that kind of luck with my setups. this reminds me of when i was trying to sync a custom inventory tracker for this massive garage sale we hosted last summer. i was using an old nexus 6p because i loved the oled density but the sync frequency was totally inconsistent across the local network. i spent basically two weeks writing a script to bridge the desktop database with the mobile browser via a local api. i was so focused on the technical specs of the data handshake and making sure the latency was minimal that i completely missed the fact that my wife had started using a different platform for the actual sales. i was sitting there debugging packets and checking logs while she was just writing stuff down on post-it notes... basically a 48 hour deep dive into network protocols for absolutely zero benefit lol. sync issues like that are just the worst when you actually have a deadline like yours.

Did this last week, worked perfectly

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Youre a lifesaver honestly.