CHROME'S ADDRESS BAR MOVES TO THE BOTTOM FOR EASIER BROWSING

Google has introduced a feature for Chrome on Android that lets users move the address bar, also called the Omnibox, from the top of the screen to the bottom.

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This change, already available on iPhone since 2023, makes onehanded browsing easier, especially on larger phones where reaching the top is a stretch. Users can now tap and hold the address bar to shift it to the bottom or adjust it through the Settings menu, giving a choice between top or bottom placement.

The update responds to a long-standing user demand for better reachability. With phone screens growing—some now exceed seven inches—the top-placed address bar can be tough to tap without shifting your grip. By placing the Omnibox closer to your thumb, Chrome feels more comfortable for quick searches or typing URLs, particularly in portrait mode. The feature, rolling out to stable Chrome versions, keeps the browser’s core layout intact, ensuring familiarity while adding flexibility.

Some quirks remain. The bottom address bar only works in portrait mode, reverting to the top in landscape. The three-dot overflow menu, housing options like Bookmarks and History, stays at the top, which can feel inconsistent. Google may tweak this in future updates to align menu items with the bar’s new spot, but for now, the change is a straightforward fix for onehanded use.

HOW TO MAKE THE SWITCH

Moving the address bar is simple. On an Android phone, open Chrome, tap and hold the Omnibox, and select “Move address bar to bottom” from the pop-up. Alternatively, go to Settings, find the Address bar option, and choose Bottom.

The change takes effect instantly, no restart needed, though some users may need to update Chrome to the latest version via the Google Play Store to see it. On iPhones, the process is identical, with the same tap-and-hold or Settings path.