Chrome on android finally gets a bookmark bar—but there's a catch
For years, Android Chrome users have been pleading with Google for a feature that's been standard on the desktop version for ages: a Bookmark Bar. Now, it’s arriving—sort of—in Chrome 146, but with a significant limitation that's leaving many users scratching their heads.
The long-awaited feature arrives
The update introduces a familiar bar just below the address bar, mirroring the desktop experience. It displays your bookmarks, complete with right-facing chevrons to reveal hidden entries and folders. A tap on “All Bookmarks” opens the full browsing UI, and a long press on a bookmark reveals the URL. It’s a welcome addition for those who rely heavily on bookmarks for quick access to frequently visited sites.
The initial excitement, however, is tempered by a rather peculiar restriction: Google appears to be limiting the feature to devices with larger screens. My own Pixel 6 Pro, running the latest version 146, stubbornly refuses to display the Bookmark Bar. This effectively means it’s currently available primarily on Android tablets and foldable phones, leaving many standard smartphone users out in the cold.
Why the Screen Size Restriction? The reasoning behind this limitation remains unclear. Is Google testing the feature with larger screens before a wider rollout? Are they concerned about usability on smaller displays? Whatever the reason, the selective availability is generating considerable frustration among Chrome users.
Workarounds and Alternatives While the Bookmark Bar is absent on some devices, the core functionality of bookmarking remains intact. A simple tap on the three-dot icon, followed by “Bookmarks” and the star icon, allows you to add pages to your collection. These bookmarks, however, will initially reside in the “Other” folder, requiring a bit more navigation to access.
If the Bookmark Bar isn't appearing on your large-screen device, a quick “Force Stop” of the Chrome app through the settings menu might resolve the issue. It's a temporary fix at best, but worth a try.
The addition of the Bookmark Bar, even with its current limitations, underscores Google’s ongoing effort to bridge the gap between the desktop and mobile Chrome experiences. It’s a step in the right direction, but one that leaves many hoping for a broader rollout in future updates.