Chrome for Android offers a customizable toolbar shortcut

Google was historical Very careful with change Chrome interface and layout thanks to a very large user base. However, one such change might be in the works in Chrome for Android with the addition of a customizable toolbar shortcut.

On Android, it will remain Chrome UI – after Duplex / Duet abandoned – Toolbar with start button, address bar, tab changer and full menu, with many actions in a long list.

It seems that Google is now widely rolling out a “toolbar shortcut” between the omnibox and the tab button/counter. One of three actions may appear here: New Tab (Plus Sign), Share, or Voice Search (Microphone).

The button you see will default to “Based on your usage”, with Google providing “Current Recommendation”. New Tab and Share is already in the full menu, while voice searches appear when you click on the address bar. The first two can be considered important for browser usage and it makes sense why they should be raised. In fact, Chrome Duet’s shabby redesign of the bottom bar puts these actions center stage.

However, users can manually select the desired shortcut and even disable the toolbar extension entirely via Chrome settings (under the advanced options just below the home button, which can also be disabled). You can also get it manually with this tag:

chrome://flags/#Adaptive-button-in-top-toolbar-customization

Toolbar shortcut returns to Chrome 92 for Android in July 2021. At the time, it was rolling out to some people as part of regular A/B testing. It’s been widely available in recent weeks, including after version 101 was stable on Tuesday, but Google hasn’t officially announced the feature and it may eventually be rolled out.

This extension is a minor tweak to the Great Layout (and can easily be ignored/disabled), but an insignificant addition to the Chrome layout UI for Android. (The last one was The materials you renew where functionality has not changed.) Google must think that this button is a big enough improvement for users to edit it.