Shimul Sood / Android Authority
While there are numerous web browsers available for Android, Chrome continues to be the preferred choice for many, including myself. Its speed, broad web compatibility, and a variety of features set it apart from other options.
Having used Chrome for several years, I’ve gathered various tips to enhance my efficiency. If you also utilize Chrome on your Android device, here are ten helpful tips and tricks to assist you with different tasks.
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Customize Toolbar for New Tabs
The first step I take when opening Chrome on my Android device is customizing the toolbar shortcut. By default, it may direct you to Ask Gemini, but I switch it to the New tab shortcut for quick access.
In Chrome, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, go to Settings > Appearance > Toolbar shortcut. Ensure the Toolbar shortcut toggle is enabled and select New tab. Alternatively, you can opt for another shortcut or select Based on your usage for a relevant suggestion.
Share Links to Specific Text
Want to share a specific text from a webpage? Chrome allows highlighting any text and generating a link that directs others to that highlighted section.
Select the text, tap the Share button in the floating toolbar, choose the app, or tap a contact’s name to share it with them. You can also copy the link via the copy icon next to it.
Enable Dark Mode for Websites
While many sites support dark mode, some, particularly certain news sites, do not. Fortunately, you can force these sites into dark mode without additional extensions by enabling a Chrome flag.
Visit chrome://flags, search for Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents, and switch its setting from Default to Enabled. Tap Relaunch to restart Chrome.
Preview Pages without Navigating Away
Curious about where a link leads? Instead of opening it and potentially losing your current page, use Chrome’s Preview page feature to view links without full navigation.
Long-press a link and choose Preview page from the menu. A preview pane will appear over your current page. You can scroll through it and either open it in a new tab or close the preview.
Distraction-Free Reading Mode
I frequently read articles online, but many sites clutter the experience with ads. Chrome’s Reader mode is a solution that removes distractions, making it easier to focus on the content.
To enable Reading mode, tap the three-dot menu and select Show Reading mode. An overlay panel will appear, allowing you to adjust font, text size, and background color to suit your preferences.
Listen to Webpage Content
Sometimes I want to catch up on articles but can’t read them. Chrome’s listening mode offers a solution, available in both standard and AI playback options.
To listen to an article, tap the three-dot menu and select Listen to this page. A player will appear at the bottom of your screen, where you can control playback and choose between modes.
Convert Webpages to PDF
I often use Raindrop.io to save articles, but archiving isn’t available on the free plan. Chrome, however, allows me to save webpages as PDFs conveniently.
With the webpage open, tap the three-dot menu, select Share, then choose Print. You’ll see a preview of the PDF. Change any settings you wish, then tap the download icon to save your PDF.
Efficient Long Screenshots
Taking traditional screenshots of long webpages can be cumbersome. Chrome has a feature called Long screenshot that simplifies this task.
To capture a Long screenshot, open the desired webpage, go to the three-dot menu, select Share, and tap Long screenshot. Scroll to select the area you want to capture, then confirm your choice.
Organize with Tab Groups
Managing multiple tabs can get chaotic, but Chrome’s Tab Groups feature helps keep everything organized by allowing color-coded and named groups.
To create a Tab Group, tap the tab switch button, long-press a tab to group, and choose Add tab to new group. Name your group, select a color, and tap Done. Access your groups in the tab switcher.
Quick Definitions and Translations
One feature I love on iPhone is the ability to quickly define or translate words. Although it isn’t natively on Android, Chrome provides a similar capability.
Highlight a word and swipe up on the panel that appears at the bottom for its definition, pronunciation, and usage. For translation, select the word, tap the three-dot button, and choose Translate.
This is just a glimpse of the helpful features in Chrome that I utilize daily. The browser has many more options available, like preloading of pages and automatically closing inactive tabs, that may enhance your experience too. Explore the settings to discover further features.
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