Chrome iOS to Bring the Address Bar to the Bottom, Taking a Page from Apple’s Safari

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 24 August 2023, 12:08 am

Chrome on iOS is getting a significant revamp for what it has to offer, particularly with the address bar that was traditionally found on top of the page now moving to the bottom thanks to a preview from a testing phase. Chrome has kept the address bar atop the page for iOS and Android, and it has retained it there much to the request of users to put it at a more accessible spot.

Chrome's iOS Gets Address Bar at the Bottom via TestFlight

(Photo : Solen Feyissa from Unsplash)

A report by The Verge has centered on what was recently spotted for Chrome's iOS version, with the mobile browser allowing users to change the location of the address bar from the top of the screen, down to its bottom.

The address bar found at the bottom of the screen was previously adopted by Safari two years ago, and it has proven to be a welcome feature for the public using the Apple browser.

To get this experience, head on over to this website to download the TestFlight app and add the discovered Chrome feature that will let users try it.

Changing the address bar's location is relatively easy, as they only need to tap and hold the address bar until it follows their finger's motion where they can situate it at the bottom.

On the other hand, users may head to Chrome's settings to reposition it.

Will Google Bring the Address Bar at the Bottom for All?

According to the report, Google was asked if this would be an added feature that would be available for the public release of Chrome on iOS. However, there are no answers yet from the internet company.

For now, this feature is available via TestFlight, and users may take advantage of setting their preferences and trying out either location of the address bar.

Google's Chrome Developments

Google Chrome has been a significant browser in the world, and it is still the most used platform for all the browsing needs of users, particularly for computer platforms. There are many users of Chrome, and this means that more threats are present here, with Google adding better features and updates, including its Privacy Sandbox that arrived for Chrome 114 to better protect its users.

One iconic update from Google was with its third-party cookies for users that Chrome would soon phase out, starting by the second half of 2024. However, this will only center on 1 percent of the total cookies operating on Chrome, but the company promised that more cookies will be phased out in the coming time, with websites no longer allowed to collect browsing data.

Chrome has indeed been a staple browser, and it has grown its popularity even in the mobile platforms available, with a niche user base on iOS. This recent TestFlight feature that allows users to change the way the address bar is situated answers the request and needs of users for better Chrome accessibility, but it remains unknown if Google will make it mandatory for all versions in the future.