All versions of the Google browser have functions hidden in the code that can be activated with a switch. They are the so-called ‘ flags, ‘functions still under development. Do you want to know how to start them and which ones are the best? It is effortless; we explain it to you.
Google Chrome is an application that is updated very frequently. It is based on Chromium, the open-source web browser project that Google keeps in constant evolution. And as developers continually create new features, Chrome builds those features into code so that only those who want to test them will activate them. It is easier than it seems to be.
Activate the ‘flags’ from the address bar
The settings in development are easy to activate since you have to look for them within the Google Chrome code. But do not think that you will have to perform complicated steps since the process is done from the address bar and by typing a specific URL. Of course, another song is the activation of private functions since there are so many that you can get bored.
The process to enter the ‘flags’ of Google Chrome is simple: you have to type the following in the browser’s address bar:
chrome: // flags
Once you accept, you will enter the list of hidden options in Google Chrome. You will see an infinite number of ‘flags,’ each one with the promise of activating or deactivating specific functions (you have all the ones in the ‘Available’ column available).
To activate any of the ‘flags,’ you have to click on its box and change the status to ‘Enabled’ (started); or set it to ‘Disabled’ if the function is already running. Accept the blue ‘Relaunch’ button (bottom right), and Chrome will restart with what you have selected. And you can choose the change of several ‘flags’ at the same time: select their state and then click on ‘Relaunch.’
Activating and deactivating hidden functions is super easy, but you should keep in mind that playing with the ‘flags’ can make your browser unstable. There is no major problem since the changes only affect Google Chrome, not other applications on the phone. And if it stops working correctly, carry out the following steps:
- Go back to the ‘flags’ section and select ‘Reset all to default.’ This will restore the state of all hidden functions.
- If you cannot enter the chrome flags, make sure you have logged into Google Chrome not to lose any password, bookmark, or other data.
- Go to your mobile settings and enter ‘Applications.’
- Find the Chrome menu.
- Go to ‘Storage’ and click on ‘Clear storage.’
- Google Chrome will have been restored to the way it was from the factory. Once you log in with your Google account, you will recover the data you had without the ‘flags’ that you chose being activated.
The above is valid to discover all the secret options of Google Chrome and restore the browser to its initial state if you spent activating ‘flags.’ Given the continuous development of Chrome, these ‘flags’ are changing day by day, so it is difficult to recommend some. In the next version, they may disappear. Therefore, our advice is to dive into the menu of available options and try those that appeal to you: its name in English defines its function. Always be careful, mainly if you use the browser on your phone a lot.
As you have seen, the number of hidden functions or ‘flags’ is enormous. You can go one by one, but we make it easier for you by choosing what we consider to be the best. The way to activate them is simple: write their name in the search engine above until you find the specific ‘flag.’ It is unnecessary to write it in full; the first few letters are usually enough. All options have been tested with the latest stable version of Google Chrome for Android.
- They forced dark mode. With this function, you can move dark ways on all web pages. Look for ‘ Force dark Mode for web contents ‘ in Chrome’s ‘flags.’ Of course, not all websites will look good this way.
- Smoother ride. There is a hidden function in Chrome that activates the smooth scrolling of the screen, the so-called ‘scroll.’ Look for ‘ Smooth scrolling ‘ in the remote parts of the browser and start it.
- Speeds up video playback. You can improve playback by forcing the use of hardware for it. Look for the ‘ Hardware-accelerated video decode ‘ function.
- You improved the share menu. Look for the option ‘ Chrome Sharing Hub ‘ and activate it: you will have the share menu that Google is finishing in Chrome.
- Website isolation. Google Chrome on Android is testing the isolation of tabs so that the rest of the pages cannot intercept the information. By activating ‘ Strict site isolation, ‘each tab will be loaded with its process. This will increase the memory used by Chrome, and it will also consume more battery. Also, if you activated the isolation, you must remove it with another ‘flag’: ‘ Disable site isolation. ‘
- Playback in the floating window. Chrome on Android can use the ‘PIP’ function on the web, the floating window that allows you to continue playing video. You can activate it with ‘ Picture-in-picture web API for Android. ‘
- Parallel downloads. If you use Google Chrome to download several files simultaneously, you can activate similar downloads to speed up the download. Locate the ‘ Parallel downloading ‘ function.
- Self-filling in forms. With the ‘ Show autofill predictions ‘ function, Google Chrome will help you fill in the form fields with information that it already has saved.
- Full screenshots and share screenshots. With the ‘flags’ ‘ Chrome share long screenshots ‘ and ‘ Chrome share screenshots, ‘you can take screenshots from the browser itself, both standard and the entire web (complete or extended).
- Continuous search. Activate ‘ Continuous search navigation, ‘and you will have access to constant search: a new search bar with integrated suggestions.