The Google Chrome mobile app has many great features and integrates with other Google services. Although it is not a desktop version, this application includes some hidden features that are as close as possible to the desktop version, but not many people know about. We explain its most important parts as follows:
1- Navigate between tabs with swipe gestures:
While most users switch between tabs by clicking the counter in the upper right corner and then selecting the tab they want to access, there is another way. Google has added gesture controls to the Google Chrome mobile app to make tab navigation easier. The methods are as follows:
- To browse the different tabs, swipe left or right on the browser's address bar.
- To view all open tabs, scroll down in the address bar.
2- Download web pages when connected to the Internet:
Refreshing the page and waiting for it to load can be annoying when you have an unstable internet connection. However, Google Chrome has a feature that allows your phone to automatically load web pages once you're connected to the Internet. To use this feature, wait until you get a message saying you are offline and then click the "Load page later" button. When you're online again, Chrome will automatically load the page and tell you it's ready.
3- Save the webpage as a PDF:
If you need to save a webpage for future reference, save it as a PDF. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the page you want to save, then click the three dots button on the right of the page and select Share.
- In the Share menu, scroll right until you find the Print option, and then tap on it.
- Click the option (Save as PDF) and then click the "PDF" button to generate a PDF file of the web page.
4- Enable zoom to enlarge small text on the site:
Most websites have features that allow you to enlarge text to make it easier to read. However, not all websites offer this feature. So, Google Chrome introduces a feature that allows you to enlarge text regardless of its size. position. To use this feature, tap the three dots menu button in the Chrome app, then select Accessibility and enable the Force Zoom option.
5- In-page search function to quickly find information in web pages:
The Google Chrome app has a built-in search function that allows you to search for specific words on the webpage you are working on. To use this feature, click on the three dots menu button and then select Search page type in words or phrases.
Chrome displays the number of words on the page matching the search term. You can navigate to the position of these words on the page by clicking the arrow next to the number of words or by hovering your mouse over the right bar.
6- Create shortcuts on the home screen of the most used sites:
Most people have dozens of websites that they use almost every day. For easier access, you can use the Chrome app to create shortcuts to these sites and add them to your browser's home screen. To use this function, do the following:
- Go to the site you want to link to.
- Go to the three dots menu button and tap on the "Add to Home Screen" option.
- You will be prompted to name the shortcut. After naming it, click the "Add" button and it will be added to your home screen.
7- Translating websites into other languages:
If you're visiting a website with content in a language you don't understand, you can use Google Chrome app built-in Translate feature to translate website pages. To use this function, do the following:
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner.
- Click Translate from the menu, and translation options will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the language you would like to translate the website into.
- To see more languages, click on the three-dot button that appears in the lower right corner, then select More languages.