Internet Security Blog - Hackology

Chrome Android adopts Grid Layout of Firefox

Google Chrome just made some changes on the Android version of their Google Chrome, If you are in their beta program you will be getting the update. Personally this particular grid layout in the multiple tab view was one of the reason for not adopting Firefox for android as I shared it in Why I had to switch back to Chrome from Firefox

Google Chrome for Android New Grid Layout for tabs

The vertical tab layout is changed to a grid of miniature cards of equal sizes. This not only allows for far more tabs to be shown on the tab page but also makes it harder to switch to the wrong tab while making it bit inconvenient as it is not physically possible to switch to the first grid tab with the same hand which is holding the cell as the display sizes keep on increasing.

Luckily one can still swipe the tab left or right to close it , i wonder when Google will remove that because why leave a feature which is handy after switching to grid layout for tabs ?

Google Chrome Android Tabs Grid Layout
Grid Layout on Chrome for Android is not liked by all

Incognito Mode on Grid Layout of Tabs

Switching to Incognito mode was easier earlier while one would need to tap the incognito icon the top to see opened tabs on incognito which I find a bit cumbersome, in earlier releases one could swipe to the left bringing up the stacked display of open tabs.

Switch to Google Chrome Stacked Tab Layout

You may want to switch back to the older view if you do not like this new grid layout. The stacked tab layout in Chrome for Android was liked by many and I also find it practical. Follow these steps to disable the tab grid layout and switch to stacked tab layout in chrome :

  • Open a New Tab
  • Type URL : Chrome://Flags
  • Search “Enable-Tab-Grid-Layout” in the search box
  • Disable the Flag Experiment “Tab Grid Layout
  • Enjoy the older view

Chrome Tab Grid Layout Experiment
Tab Grid Layout can be disabled in chrome flags under the shown experiment

Google is always bringing new features and at times changing things which are already working fine. Whats your take on the update ? do you prefer this newer grid layout for the tabs or the older stacked layout ?

2 comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Wise

Subscribe to my newsletter to get latest InfoSec / Hacking News (1 Email/week)
Utopia p2p Ecosystem