Google Chrome for Android is finally getting a bottom address bar.
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Browsing the web on Android just got a little more convenient, especially for those with larger phones or smaller hands. After toying with the idea for years, Google is finally rolling out a long-awaited change to Chrome for Android: the option to move the address bar to the bottom of the screen rather than the top.
Several competing Android browsers already offer this feature, including Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Samsung Internet Browser. Apple moved Safari’s address bar to the bottom on iOS 15 in 2021, before quickly adding a switch to revert to the top after negative user feedback. Even Chrome on iOS already supports the option.
Now, finally, Chrome users on Android get the same choice, although the rollout hasn’t been without hiccups.
Google Chrome Update: How To Move The Address Bar
Chrome users on Android can now place the address bar at the top or the bottom of the screen.
The update doesn’t force this change on you—the address bar remains at the top by default, but moving the address bar to the bottom is simple: Just long-press on the address bar, tap “Move address bar to bottom,” and you’re done. Alternatively, you can access the new function from Chrome’s settings menu.
If you don’t see the feature yet, just keep your Chrome app updates, as it should roll out to everyone soon.
Google Chrome Update: Why The Fuss Over A Bottom Search Bar?
Mobile browsers initially followed their desktop counterparts by placing the address bar at the top of the screen, but many users, especially those with large phones, small hands, or both, can find it more of a stretch to access interface elements located at the top of the screen. Placing the address bar at the bottom brings it comfortably within thumb’s reach, making navigation easier.
Google Chrome Update: Why Did It Take So Long?
For such a seemingly simple feature, Google’s delay in implementing the feature raises questions.
The idea of a bottom address bar was floated within Google as early as 2016 as part of the Chrome Home project. Having been made available for a short time in beta versions of Chrome for Android, the feature was ultimately shelved.
Chris Lee, former Staff Interaction Designer at Google Chrome, explained the decision. “The feature gained a cult following among the tech community, but for many mainstream users, the change felt disorienting. Chrome serves billions of users around the globe with varying tech literacy. Over the course of many iterations, I became increasingly convinced that launching Chrome Home would not serve all our users well.”
Google continued to experiment with a bottom search bar in “Dev” releases of Chrome for Android but hasn’t, until now, made the feature available to everyone in the standard release version. This delay has left many users wondering why it took Google so long to catch up to its competitors, having tested the feature so long ago.
Apple’s experience may have something to do with that. The company controversially moved Safari’s search bar to the bottom of the screen in iOS 15, but was met with significant user resistance, prompting Apple to add an option to move it back to the top. The default setting, however, remains for it to live at the bottom of the screen.
Firefox introduced a similar feature in 2020, while Microsoft Edge rolled out a bottom search bar option earlier this year, leaving Chrome for Android as the only major browser without what has now become an expected feature available from all major rivals. This has effectively compelled Google to finally take a decisive step and release the feature to all Chrome users.
Chrome’s New Bottom Address Bar: Issues Remain
It’s great to see Chrome finally implementing a bottom search bar, but response from users has so far been mixed. Recent Reddit posts reveal reactions ranging from “Omg finally. I’ve been wanting this for years,” to “Decided to try it out. Set it to the bottom, it’s still at the top.”
Some users report that the search bar switches erratically between top and bottom positions, as well as other UI inconsistencies. Google has acknowledged some of these issues and is already working on a fix.
Despite Google’s delay in implementing this feature, Chrome remains the dominant mobile browser, enjoying around 68% of global market share. Ensuring Chrome doesn’t become the only player not to offer a bottom search bar, will help Google maintain this lead, but If you try it, be prepared for some early teething problems.
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