Back in September 2019, Google announced that the browser was adding an easy way to organize open pages. Tab groups were fully rolled out on desktops a year later and are now launching Chrome for Android with a new grid layout.
Update 2/20: The Chrome version of Android for grid, which also adds Tab groups, is now widely available. It’s been almost a month since Google launched the redesign, though the company has yet to officially debut it. The reaction of end users is still mixed (give your thoughts in the comments below).
If you did not enable this update, you should do the trick by shutting down Chrome from the Recent menu or restarting your phone. Meanwhile, one permutation with the “Google” logo at the top of the grid is being tested.
How to disable Chrome tab groups
Some users do not like this new layout, given their muscle memory for the previous interface which has remained relatively unchanged for years. Meanwhile, this grid version has been in use on Chrome for iOS for some time.
At this time, you can disable it by entering the link below in the address bar, tapping on the menu and selecting “Disabled”. Then restart your browser by clicking on the blue button that appears at the bottom of your screen. You may also need to include Chrome in the Recent multitasking menu or stop under App Info.
chrome: // flags / # enable-tab-grid-layout
Original 1/28: Chrome’s new grid layout replaces the vertically arranged list of cards that span almost the entire width of your screen. Each tab is now significantly smaller, but you can see more of the page without being obscured by other maps. As before, the favicon, page name and lock button appear at the top, while you can still swipe left / right to finish it. A small adjustment sees a “New Tab” label in the upper left corner.
On most phones, you will see six tabs at a time before you have to scroll. As a result of this layout, incognito sites will no longer appear next to the list of regular tabs. Rather, there is a switch at the top to access the grid version.
With this new view, Google Tab can bring groups to Android. From the grid, users can drag and drop one page on top of another to form a grouping, as well as to organize open pages. Another creation method is to open the overflow menu and select “Group tabs” while long pressing any link, offering a new option “Open in new tab in group”.
When you see Tab groups, a new sub-bar switch with favorites for each open page appears. The left chevron symbol opens the grid layout for the space while a New Tab button is in the right corner.
For some, the Chrome grid view and Tab groups started rolling out alongside version 88 last week. It is not yet widely available, but appears to more users than ever before via an update to the server.
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