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Chrome can now use Android's default password provider instead of Google's
The new setting is hidden behind a flag, but it's functional on Chrome stable
There are so many excellent browsers for Android that sticking with the default might be doing yourself a disservice. Google Chrome comes pre-installed on all phones that ship with the Play Store, but with major competitors like Firefox opening up extension support and others with anti-tracking features, people who roll with the default are seeing new incentives to switch. Chrome's lack of support for non-Google password managers is another reason you may have been looking to make the jump, but a new hidden setting could level the playing field on this front.
Google Safe Browsing protects you from malware and other online threats. Here's how to set it up
Turn on Safe Browsing to protect yourself online
As more of our work is done online, safeguarding our digital presence is imperative. Threats loom everywhere in the form of phishing attacks and malware. Over 353 million people in the US were affected by data compromises in 2023 through data breaches and exposure. Passkeys, authenticator apps, 2FA, and other security tools help secure our accounts and make us less vulnerable to malicious actors.
Chrome Canary 124 now supports live translated captions by default
Live Translate was first spotted in April last year
Google Chrome is one of our favorite web browsers, even though competitors like Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc., continue to get better with each iteration. Last year, Google was working on bundling the Pixel's Live Translate feature in Chrome, intended to work in tandem with Live Caption, added almost three years ago. However, this Live Translate functionality was not available by default, even in Canary, requiring a command line flag to activate. It now looks like we're getting closer to the feature's imminent arrival, with the latest Chrome Canary 124 release enabling Live Translate by default.
Google Chrome releases: What's new in every version
A central hub for all the things that have changed in Chrome
Google Chrome is probably the browser everyone is using. When it launched back in 2008, it was lauded as a super-small, resource-saving program that wasn't even feature-complete, but that has long changed. After its long and winding march to market domination, the browser received more features, grew in size, and is now known as an absolute resource hog and data collection engine.
Google Chrome's phishing protection is now both faster and better
The browser now checks for threats in real time with Safe Browsing's Standard protection, promising up to 25% better phishing detection rates
Google Chrome wants to supercharge phishing protection with its latest update. The browser will check for new phishing and security threats in real-time as you visit new websites, rather than work with a downloaded list from Google servers. This makes it possible for sites to load faster all while blocking 25% more phishing attempts, as Google claims.
What’s new in Chrome 123: Android-style media player on desktop
Chrome 123 is working hard on feature parity across desktop and Android
Google’s incredibly fast browser release rhythm continues with Chrome 123, which is already going stable following Chrome 122's release last month. This week, it's poised to reach a small percentage of users while a wider rollout will only start a few days later. Chrome 123 is working on some interesting features and may offer a few new functionalities, so let’s dive in.
Chrome on Android really needs to learn this simple trick from Safari
With these auto-close options, tab management has never been easier
One of the best parts of my job as Phones Editor at Android Police is how easy it makes comparing Android to its sole remaining rival. While I know some readers prefer to pretend iOS doesn't exist, the truth is that, at least in North America, the iPhone is eating Android's lunch right now. Learning more about the pros — and cons — of that walled garden can add a lot of context to the modern state of smartphones, whether you're talking about modern messaging platforms or, well, something much smaller.
Chrome for Android could get a (very limited) bottom bar again
A new flag for a bottom-based custom tab interface was spotted, but it will only be available with links opened from the Google app
A long time ago, Google experimented with moving some Chrome interface elements to the bottom on Android devices. The company has long scrapped these tests, and even though Chrome for iOS offers an optional bottom-based interface these days, we don’t see anything remotely like it on Android. This could finally change soon, but it looks like the bottom bar will only be used for some very specific activities.
How to access your passwords in Google Chrome
They're pretty easy to manage once you know where to look
Despite the emergence of safer ways to log in, like biometrics (fingerprint scanning and facial recognition) and passkeys, text-based passwords are still the major means of authentication and will remain so for a while. Until companies can ditch passwords completely, you can take measures to secure your account, like using different passwords for every service, using passwords that combine unique characters, and managing passwords with an app.
Google paid out $10 million in vulnerability awards last year
The company held its first ever live-hacking event targeting LLM in 2023
The more complicated software gets, the more likely it is to have bugs or security loopholes. Google and many other companies recognize that, and they want to give hackers and security researchers an incentive to find and report problems. That’s where Google’s Vulnerability Rewards Program (VRP) comes in. Last year, the company paid out a total of $10 million to researchers reporting problems with Google software all around the world.
Google Chrome's custom tabs get a serious multitasking upgrade
The browser is rolling out support for picture-in-picture mode in custom tabs
Google’s custom tabs are an ingenious way to handle in-app links on Android, giving you access to your cookies and preferences on websites all without kicking you straight to Chrome. The concept of custom tabs has been largely unchanged over the past few years, with nothing but some minor improvements. The latest tweak is more fundamental, though. Using Android’s picture-in-picture mode, custom tabs can now stay active in the background.
Google Chrome for desktop is preparing a serious Lens upgrade
Reverse image search, but simpler and rebranded
Google has been the world’s most popular search engine for many years now, and its accessibility has helped the company’s success immeasurably. Google has even admitted that the Chrome browser only exists as a tool to make Search more accessible. To this effect, Chrome houses all the important utilities, such as a prominent Search bar, reverse image search tools, and Lens. Deeper Lens integration is now on the horizon, hopefully bringing the user experience closer to the mobile app.
Google Chrome's new tab page is minimal and functional but not fun. However, Chrome provides several ways to customize your Google background theme. You can overhaul the browser using Google Chrome themes, spice up the new tab page with fresh new looks, and use a custom image as your background. If you're tired of staring at an empty white homepage in your browser, use these methods to change the Google Chrome background on your favorite Chromebook, MacBook, or Windows PC.
Seven years ago, Google announced that it would phase out all Chrome apps on Windows, Mac, and Linux by 2018 (it would actually take until 2023). In its place would be what the company called Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), web apps that can be installed on a user's desktop that act as if they are practically natural apps and programs. The idea grew quickly, with Chrome users having installed PWAs in record numbers by the beginning of 2022. Soon, every website will be installable on desktops through PWAs.
Chrome could simplify exiting full screen mode on desktops
Just press and hold the Esc key rather than a convoluted key combination
Google Chrome has offered a fullscreen mode on desktops for ages, but it’s never been particularly standardized how to access and exit it across platforms. That may be changing, as Google introduced a flag that gives you an easy-to-use keyboard shortcut to exit full screen. It's far more intuitive than the disparate options currently available.
Chrome: How to grab video stills with the Save Video Frame feature
Don't settle with blurry video stills from YouTube and Google Photos
Do you often use YouTube for educational, research, or business purposes? You may find several videos where you want to grab a frame to refer to later. You can always use Windows or Mac's screenshot tool, but Google has another trick up its sleeve to grab high-quality video still in no time.
Chrome password sharing for Google family groups may be coming to Android
The function was spotted in a new version of Google Play Services
It can be frustrating to hit a wall when you need to log in to an account you share with a family member and lack the necessary credentials. If you’re in a pinch, it can become even more stressful as you wait for the person to get back to you with the password you need. As of late, Google has been making adjustments to its password manager to resolve this long-standing issue. It was recently seen testing a feature that would allow Google family members to seamlessly exchange passwords on the fly. Now, it seems that the company could be working toward introducing this feature to Android.
Google Chrome's search suggestions are about to get even stronger
Three new search features are rolling out to the browser starting today
Google Chrome already boasts some of the most robust search features out of all the browsers available, offering an Omnibox that can correct minor spelling mistakes and suggest surprisingly relevant sites well before you finish typing. Of course, you'd expect this from a browser made by the internet's biggest search engine, but Google didn't get to this point by relying on reputation. Now, Chrome is taking another step ahead of the pack with a handful of new search features rolling out today.
How to turn off Incognito Mode
Disable your browser's private mode and keep a close eye on your child's online activities
Most desktop and mobile browsers have an Incognito or private mode for anonymous web browsing. It's an effective way to enjoy logged-out sessions and private searches without leaving your browsing history. To prevent your children from abusing the Incognito window, turn it off on your home PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android phone.
Chrome for Android could soon support copying and saving video frames
The option to save video frames was already available in Chrome for desktop
When you need to quickly screenshot or save a video frame, it can be challenging depending on the media player you are using. Even YouTube lacked some of the features necessary to carry out these tasks, especially if you're trying to get a screenshot of just the video without all the buttons and player controls. But it's now possible to directly copy YouTube frames thanks to a feature being tested in Chrome for desktop. If you’ve been hoping that something similar would come to your Android device, there is some good news.