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What you need to know
Google Chrome version 135 for Android has introduced a long-awaited feature: a bottom address bar. This functionality, which has been present for iOS users since 2023, is part of a broader trend seen in other browsers like Samsung Internet. The update is currently being rolled out, with expectations for a wider release soon.
With this update, Google Chrome users are likely to find it more convenient to navigate, especially on larger smartphones. The address bar has been relocated from the traditional top position to the bottom of the screen.
As reported by 9to5Google, Google had been testing this feature in its Chrome app for Android since October. The company is now making it accessible in the stable version of the browser app for Android devices.
Some users who have updated to Chrome version 135 are already seeing a prompt stating, “You can touch and hold to move the address bar to the bottom.” Additionally, there is a new section in the Chrome settings labeled “Address bar,” where users can select their preferred placement for the bar—either at the top or the bottom.
Despite this change in positioning, the address bar’s functionality remains largely unchanged. Users will still find the three-dot menu and commonly used options, such as new tabs, incognito mode, bookmarks, and history, in the same locations. This means that users still need to reach for the top of the screen to access these frequently utilized features, indicating that a rearrangement of these options might have been beneficial.
The rollout of this feature comes as a response to widespread user requests, acknowledging that modern smartphones can be cumbersome to use one-handed, particularly when reaching for controls at the top of the screen. Other browsers, such as Samsung Internet and Arc, have already adopted similar bottom address bar configurations, marking an important shift in mobile browsing design. With this update, Google has taken a significant step to enhance user experience in much the same way as iOS users have enjoyed since last year.
Source
www.androidcentral.com