Chrome flags are powerful and customizable features within the Google Chrome browser. They allow users to experiment with cutting-edge functionalities, helping them stay at the forefront of browsing technology. By simply typing “chrome://flags” in the address bar, an extensive list of experimental features becomes accessible for users to enable or disable. Here is a list of the best Chrome flags for Android that you should explore.
What are Chrome Flags and How to Access Them
Chrome flags are hidden experimental settings that are still under development or testing, providing an opportunity for tech-savvy individuals to explore advanced options before they become mainstream.
With Chrome Flags, users can fine-tune their browsing experience and optimize performance by enabling experimental features such as parallel downloading, hardware acceleration, or even trying out new user interface designs. This feature not only enhances productivity but also offers an exciting playground where early adopters can get a glimpse into the future of web browsing.
Please remember that flags are for developer use and since they are experimental, they can cause instability. Flags are not permanent. Some of them become a part of the Chrome browser, while others are discontinued when the developers no longer need them.
You can find all the experimental or under-development features of Google Chrome on its dedicated Flags page. To access the list of all available Chrome flags, just type chrome://flags into your Chrome browser’s Omnibox or address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.
chrome://flags
If you want to find a specific Chrome flag, tap on the search box and type the full name of the flag or part of its name.
If you notice any misbehavior in Chrome for Android after enabling a flag, you can fix it by disabling it or using the Reset all option.
Please keep in mind that Chrome Flags are experimental features. They are meant to be used for testing purposes only. Just because a certain flag is there, doesn’t mean that it should be enabled. The risk may be higher than the reward.
How to Enable and Disable Chrome Flags on Android
Enabling or disabling a Chrome flag is as easy as accessing the Flags page. Go to the flag you want to enable, tap on the drop-down menu or the Default option under the flag, and select the Enable option.
Similarly, to disable a Chrome flag, go to the flag that you want to disable, tap on Enabled under the flag, and select Disable from the drop-down menu.
You’ll need to Relaunch Chrome every time you enable or disable a flag. Your changes will take effect the next time you relaunch Google Chrome.
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List of the Best Chrome Flags for Android
Anyway, I have hand-picked 20 of the best Chrome flags for Android that can improve your browsing experience. They let you enjoy features that are not yet a part of the regular Chrome UI. However, before you proceed with the flags list, don’t forget to check out these best Chrome flags for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Note: Since the Chrome Flags are experimental, they are not permanent. However, the Flags page always remains populated with new flags. Some of the flags mentioned in this article will no longer be experimental and may have disappeared by the time you read this. The successful flags become a part of Chrome and join the browser settings.
1. Accessibility Page Zoom
The Accessibility page zoom Chrome flag is a remarkable feature that caters to the needs of users with visual impairments or those seeking enhanced readability while browsing the internet through Google Chrome. This functionality lets users adjust and magnify webpage content according to their preferences. Having enabled this flag, you can adjust font sizes, enlarge images, or zoom in on webpages for improved legibility.
Search Term: Accessibility Page Zoom
URL: chrome://flags/#enable-accessibility-page-zoom
2. Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents
Dark mode doesn’t only save your phone’s battery but also causes less eyestrain. Unfortunately, all websites don’t offer a dark version. By enabling the Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents flag in Chrome for Android, you can force the browser to render all web content using a dark theme. With its intuitive design philosophy, Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents paves the way toward a more immersive and personalized browsing experience that prioritizes user comfort above all.
Search term: Auto dark mode
URL: chrome://flags/#enable-force-dark
3. Biometric Reauth for Password Filling
The Biometric Reauth for Password Filling feature enhances the security and convenience of password management on Google Chrome. This Chrome flag allows users to leverage biometric authentication, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to reauthenticate themselves for filling passwords within the browser. By enabling this advanced functionality through the Chrome flag settings, users can enjoy a seamless and secure login experience without compromising their privacy. This feature adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.
Search Term: Biometric Reauth for Password
URL: chrome://flags#biometric-reauth-password-filling
4. Autofill Offers in Keyboard Accessory
By enabling this Chrome flag, users can seamlessly access autofill suggestions directly from the keyboard. Gone are the days of manually typing each word; now, a simple tap on the appropriate suggestion will instantly fill in forms, addresses, passwords, and more. When enabled, this feature can save valuable time and effort while ensuring accurate information input.
Search Term: Autofill offers in keyboard
URL: chrome://flags#autofill-enable-offers-in-clank-keyboard-accessory
5. Device Reauthentication for Incognito
This is another experimental Chrome feature that you’ll like if you love privacy. When you enable this flag, Google Chrome will hide all open tabs in the Incognito mode. The hidden tabs will be visible only when you use your fingerprint or PIN. Chrome will prompt the user to reauthenticate themselves before accessing private or sensitive information in incognito mode, ensuring that only authorized individuals can engage in confidential online activities.
This flag is now a part of Chrome settings. You can also enable it by going to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Lock Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.
If you want to remove the Incognito mode from Chrome, read our tutorial to learn how you can disable the Incognito mode in Chrome for Windows and Mac.
Search Term: Device Reauthentication for Incognito
URL: chrome://flags#incognito-reauthentication-for-android
6. Experimental QUIC Protocol
By enabling this Chrome flag, users gain access to an efficient transport layer protocol that offers enhanced security and improved performance for internet connections. QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) leverages its own reliable data delivery mechanism over UDP connections to minimize latency. The Chrome flag serves as a gateway for users to experience the potential of this next-generation web communication protocol.
Search Term: Experimental QUIC protocol
URL: chrome://flags#enable-quic
7. Fill Passwords Across Affiliated Websites
If you have saved your credentials for a website that has one or more affiliate websites (for example, www.example.com and m.example.com), enabling this Chrome flag will fill your login credentials on those affiliated websites as well.
Search Term: Fill Passwords Across Affiliated Websites
URL: chrome://flags#filling-across-affiliated-websites
8. GPU Rasterization
This Chrome flag will enhance the graphics rendering capabilities on mobile browsers. By enabling this Chrome flag, you can experience smoother and more responsive visuals when browsing the web or using graphic-intensive applications on Android devices.
GPU Rasterization leverages the device’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to offload some processing tasks involved in rendering graphics (like HTML, CSS, and SVG elements) and animations, thus reducing strain on the Central Processing Unit (CPU). With this Chrome flag enabled, web pages load faster, scroll smoothly with minimal lagging or stuttering effects, and complex 3D graphics render swiftly without compromising quality.
Search Term: GPU Rasterization
URL: chrome://flags#enable-gpu-rasterization
9. Hardware-Accelerated Video Decode
If you play videos while browsing with Chrome, enabling this flag can enhance the video playback experience on your mobile device. By enabling this flag in Chrome settings, you can take full advantage of your device’s hardware capabilities to decode and process videos more efficiently. This feature utilizes dedicated hardware acceleration mechanisms within the device’s GPU, significantly reducing CPU load and power consumption while ensuring smooth video playback even at higher resolutions or bitrates.
Search Term: Hardware-accelerated video decode
URL: chrome://flags#disable-accelerated-video-decode
10. Heavy Ad Privacy Mitigations
Chrome flags like “Heavy Ad Intervention” and “Heavy Ad Privacy Mitigations” serve as remarkable tools in ensuring enhanced privacy and user experience on Chrome for Android. This feature mitigates heavy ads that often consume excessive device resources and invade users’ privacy.
With this Chrome flag enabled, Android users can relish a seamless browsing experience free from intrusive advertisements that slow down their devices or track their online activities. By implementing stringent measures to limit resource-heavy ads, this feature optimizes page loading times while protecting sensitive user information from potential data breaches.
Search Term: Heavy ad privacy mitigations
URL: chrome://flags#heavy-ad-privacy-mitigations
11. Incognito Screenshot
The Incognito mode in Google Chrome is very useful because it allows users to browse the web privately without leaving a trace. The Incognito mode does not store our browsing history, site data, and cookies. However, if you try to capture a screenshot in the Incognito mode on Android, you will be disappointed. Google has disabled screenshots in Chrome’s Incognito mode for privacy reasons.
Thankfully, a Chrome flag named “Incognito Screenshot” lets users take screenshots even in the Incognito mode. Once you enable this flag, you’ll be able to capture screenshots even in the Incognito mode.
Search Term: Incognito Screenshot
URL: chrome://flags#incognito-screenshot
12. Omnibox Fuzzy URL Suggestions
This flag allows Chrome to suggest and display fuzzy or approximate matches in the address bar. It makes it easier for users to navigate to their desired websites even if they do not recall the exact URL. By enabling this flag, users can enjoy an improved search functionality that goes beyond traditional keyword-based suggestions.
The Omnibox Fuzzy URL Suggestions Chrome flag leverages advanced algorithms to analyze user behavior and offer intelligent predictions based on past browsing history, bookmarked pages, and frequently visited sites. With this feature enabled, typing in partial URLs or misspelled domain names will still yield accurate results due to its ability to understand context and anticipate relevant website addresses.
Search Term: Omnibox Fuzzy URL Suggestions
URL: chrome://flags#omnibox-fuzzy-url-suggestions
13. Omnibox Modernize Visual Update
The Omnibox Modernize Visual Update flag enhances the visual experience for users of Google Chrome. This Chrome flag provides a modern and sleek design to the browser’s Omnibox, which combines the search bar and address bar. The Omnibox will now have a cleaner look with rounded edges and improved spacing between elements, resulting in a seamless navigation experience.
Search Term: Omnibox Modernize Visual Update
URL: chrome://flags/#omnibox-modernize-visual-update
14. Override Software Rendering List
This powerful Chrome flag provides the ability to override the default software rendering list, allowing users to manually specify which GPU should be leveraged for hardware acceleration. By modifying this flag, we can optimize Chrome’s performance by enabling or disabling hardware acceleration on different graphics processing units (GPUs) based on specific requirements. This level of customization ensures that resource-intensive tasks are efficiently allocated across available GPUs, resulting in enhanced overall browsing speed and responsiveness.
Search Term: Override software rendering list
URL: chrome://flags#ignore-gpu-blocklist
15. Parallel Downloading
By enabling Parallel Downloading in Chrome, you can take full advantage of your internet bandwidth by initiating parallel downloads. This feature lets Chrome download different portions of a file simultaneously to boost the download speed. This not only expedites the overall download process but also ensures a more stable connection since any interruption or slow response from one server does not affect the others.
If you get the virus scan failed error while downloading files in Chrome, we have a tutorial describing 6 methods to fix it.
Search Term: Parallel downloading
URL: chrome://flags#enable-parallel-downloading
16. Reader Mode Triggering
The Reader Mode Triggering feature allows users to enjoy distraction-free reading by eliminating unnecessary clutter from web pages and presenting content in a clean, well-structured format. By enabling this Chrome flag, readers can immerse themselves in articles and blog posts without being bombarded with intrusive ads or disruptive elements such as sidebars and banners.
The Reader Mode intelligently identifies the main text on a webpage and presents it in an easy-to-read manner, optimizing font size, line spacing, and color contrast for enhanced readability. With its ability to transform any article into an elegant reading mode style, the Reader Mode Triggering Chrome flag proves invaluable for individuals seeking a seamless online consumption experience.
Search Term: Reader Mode triggering
URL: chrome://flags#reader-mode-heuristics
17. Show Autofill Predictions
The Autofill Predictions feature enhances user experience and efficiency while browsing the internet. This advanced flag, when enabled, enables users to view suggestions for auto-filling forms based on their previous entries or commonly used information. It operates seamlessly in the background and predicts relevant data for faster form completion.
This flag saves considerable time by effortlessly filling out repetitive fields like names, addresses, or email addresses with just a few keystrokes. Moreover, it significantly reduces the likelihood of errors or mistakes made during manual entry by offering accurate suggestions derived from prior inputs.
Search Term: Show Autofill predictions
URL: chrome://flags#show-autofill-type-predictions
18. Show Query Tiles
You might have noticed that Chrome for Android shows query tiles on the browser’s home page. These tiles are nothing but search shortcuts with thumbnails to facilitate faster searches in categories like News, Sports, Movies, TV Shows, Music, Health, Finance, Fashion, Electronics, Automobile, Recipes, Education, Astrology, etc. The customizable nature of this feature allows users to personalize their browsing experience further by rearranging or removing specific query tiles according to their preferences.
As of now, there are a total of 10 different flags related to the Query Tiles feature. You can use them to further customize the tiles.
- #query-tiles
- #query-tiles-single-tier
- #query-tiles-enable-trending
- #query-tiles-country-code
- #query-tiles-ntp
- #query-tiles-on-start
- #query-tiles-instant-fetch
- #query-tiles-rank-tiles
- #query-tiles-segmentation
- #query-tiles-swap-trending
Search Term: Query Tiles
URL: chrome://flags#query-tiles
19. Smooth Scrolling
This Chrome flag, when enabled, ensures seamless navigation through web pages with fluid and elegant transitions. The feature enhances the scrolling experience while viewing very lengthy web pages like the 350 most amazing websites on the internet. The Smooth Scrolling feature eliminates any jerky movements or stuttering commonly while browsing websites.
Search Term: Smooth Scrolling
URL: chrome://flags#smooth-scrolling
20. Start Surface
The flag known as “Start Surface” brings a refreshing user interface to the Chrome browser. This innovative flag creates a visually appealing start surface page for users upon launching Chrome, offering quick access to frequently visited websites and personalized content. It shows all recent tabs in a row on the start page.
Search Term: Start Surface
URL: chrome://flags/#enable-start-surface
21. Web Feed
Finally, there is a useful flag called Web Feed with which I would conclude my list of Chrome flags. By toggling this flag, you can effortlessly access and stay up-to-date with your favorite website’s latest content, whether it be news articles or blog posts. With a professional tone of voice, Chrome flags offer users tremendous control over their browsing preferences and allow them to customize their online interactions. The Web Feed flag provides a seamless integration between traditional websites and modern RSS-like functionality within the browser itself.
Search Term: Web Feed
URL: chrome://flags#web-feed
That’s all for now! I’ll keep updating this list of best Chrome flags for Android as new flags appear. In case you know about a Chrome flag that works on Android and is not listed above, please let us know.
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