5 Chrome for Android settings I always change ASAP

While there are plenty of web browsers available, the one I keep coming back to is Google Chrome. It comes pre-installed on most Android phones and is simply one of the best browsers around. Most websites are optimized for Chrome, it has a handy Discover section to keep up with my interests, and it’s just easier to use.

That said, there are a few things Chrome doesn’t get right out of the box. Here are a few Chrome settings I change on every Android device I use.

5

Block third-party cookies for more privacy

Stops sites from tracking you across the web

One of the most annoying things when browsing is when you open a website to read something and a giant cookie pop-up takes over the screen. Thankfully, Chrome offers a simple way to block those pop-ups entirely. Using this feature saves you from seeing the cookie pop-up while also stopping third-party cookies from tracking your browsing activity, which helps protect your privacy. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu in the top right.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Privacy and security.

   

   

4. Tap Third-party cookies.
5. Choose Block third-party cookies.

   

   

While you’re in Privacy and security settings, you can also tweak things like setting up a custom DNS, clearing browsing data, and managing ad privacy.

4

Lock incognito tabs with device security

Just in case someone else grabs my phone

Incognito mode in Chrome is a quick way to prevent your browsing history from being saved and avoid cookie tracking. But by default, it’s not completely private. If you switch to another app and come back, your incognito tabs are still open and accessible. Thankfully, Chrome lets you lock Incognito tabs behind your device’s security, so only you can reopen them. Here’s how to enable it:

1. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Chrome.
2. Select Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and security.
4. Turn on Lock Incognito tabs when you leave Chrome.

   

Once enabled, your private tabs will be locked whenever you leave the app, and you’ll need to unlock them with your fingerprint, PIN, or pattern to access them again.

I switch it to New Tab or Translate instead

Chrome for Android has a handy toolbar at the top where you can type in URLs, switch tabs, and access the main menu. It also includes a toolbar shortcut button, which changes automatically based on your usage. But if you prefer having it set to a specific action, like I do, you can easily customize it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Chrome.
2. Select Settings.
3. Scroll down and tap Toolbar shortcut.

   

   

4. Choose your preferred action, like New tab, Share page, Translate, or Bookmarks.

   

2

Turn off annoying site notifications

Those pop-ups get annoying really quickly

Google Chrome offers an easy way for websites to send notifications, just like other apps on your Android phone. This can be particularly useful for services like Telegram, which let you use the messaging service in the browser and still receive notifications as if it were the full app.

However, more often than not, websites abuse this feature and send unnecessary (and spammy) alerts, cluttering your notification shade. I usually disable all Chrome notifications by default since they’re rarely useful, but if you haven’t yet, here’s how you can turn them off:

1. Tap the three-dot menu in Chrome and select Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Notifications.
3. Turn off All ‘Sites’ notifications.

   

   

4. Optionally, you can turn off All Chrome notifications as well if you prefer a cleaner experience.

1

Enable dark mode across all websites

Looks better and saves your eyes (and some battery)

Like most Android apps, Google Chrome offers a dark mode that turns the app’s UI elements dark gray, making it easier on the eyes. However, this doesn’t force websites to load in dark mode. Many sites without built-in dark themes still appear with bright white backgrounds, which can be a bit harsh.

Thankfully, Chrome has a hidden setting that lets you force all websites to open in dark mode. You’ll need to enable a Chrome flag for it to work. Here’s how:

1. In Chrome, type the following in the address bar:

   chrome://flags/

2. Search for “Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents“.

   

   

3. Tap the drop-down menu and select Enabled.
4. Tap Relaunch to restart the browser.

   

   

Once the app relaunches, every website will load in dark mode, even if the developer hasn’t added dark theme support.

Chrome has plenty of settings you can adjust to suit your needs

These are just some of the settings I always change in Chrome on every Android device I use. But Chrome also has plenty of other hidden features that are worth checking out, like Live Caption for all videos and audio, and the ability to run a Safety Check to make sure your browsing environment stays secure — so it’s definitely worth digging around the settings a bit more.