Chrome for Android now lets you move address bar to the bottom
It's making one-handed browsing a little easier in an age of oversized phones.
Google's Chrome browser is finally borrowing a page from Apple’s playbook, three years late. After Safari flipped its address bar to the bottom of the screen in iOS 15, Chrome for Android is now doing the same. The goal? Making one-handed browsing a little easier in an age of oversized phones.
Instead of forcing the change on users, though, Google is playing it safe. You can now long-press on the address bar and choose to move it to the bottom or head to Chrome settings to customise the layout. No surprise moves, just a simple choice.
It’s a smart lesson learned from Apple’s bumpy rollout in 2021. Safari’s sudden redesign sparked backlash, with users complaining about blocked web content and clunky interactions. Apple eventually made the bottom bar optional and fixed placement issues. Google, clearly watching from the sidelines, has decided to sidestep that entire mess.
Functionally, the change is about comfort. Having the address bar closer to your thumb could make typing and navigation less of a stretch, especially on larger phones. It may not seem like a big deal, but for those constantly Googling on the go, it’s a welcome shift.
Unlike flashy new features or full redesigns, this is the kind of subtle improvement that could make daily use smoother. Chrome on iOS already had this option, now Android users are catching up.
The update is rolling out gradually and should reach all Android devices in the coming weeks, this update shows Google is willing to evolve, albeit a few years behind the competition.
Oyinebiladou Omemu
