12 Cool Chrome Flags That will Take Your Browsing Next Level

Chrome Flags are experimental features that aren't part of the default Chrome experience. Some are designed for users while others are created for..

The 12 Chrome Flags You Should Enable

Google Chrome stands out as one of the top browsers, amassing a large user base over the years. Despite its feature-rich interface, Chrome offers a plethora of Chrome Flags and settings that can be customized for an enhanced experience.

Personally, I find Chrome flags fantastic as they allow you to adjust the UI, improve performance, and even introduce new features. With that in mind, let's explore the 12 most handy and cool Google Chrome flags in 2024.

12. Touch UI Layout

Many laptops, window tablets, and other devices now have touch screen features, making it convenient to interact with content. However, some websites aren't optimized for touch commands. Google Chrome addresses this by offering a touch-optimized UI, hidden in the Chrome flags. To enable it, simply go to chrome://flags/#top-chrome-touch-ui and switch on the flag.

Go to the URL chrome://flags/#files-trash on your Chrome OS and activate it. Once done, you'll notice a new trash folder in your Files app. In this folder, you can view recently deleted items, delete them permanently, or restore them if needed.

11. GPU Rasterization

Normally, Chrome relies on the CPU to display web content. Yet, there's a trick to enhance performance. You can activate the GPU rasterization flag in Chrome, which shifts some of the image-rendering tasks to the GPU instead of burdening the CPU. This can lead to better performance, especially on pages with lots of images. To try it out, visit chrome://flags/#enable-gpu-rasterization and switch on the flag.

10. Reader Mode

Unlike Safari, Google Chrome doesn't have a built-in Reader Mode. However, there's a secret Chrome flag that allows you to activate a basic reader mode. It simplifies the web page, offering a clutter-free experience and is particularly useful for getting rid of annoying Chrome ads. While it may not be as advanced as Safari's Reader Mode, it does the job.

9. Back Forward Cache

If you frequently use the back and forward navigation keys in Chrome to move around websites and search results, you'll love this Chrome flag. Just go to chrome://flags/#back-forward-cache and turn on the flag.

Once enabled, Chrome will save complete websites in the cache. So, when you use the back or forward key to navigate, the webpages will load instantly without any delays. What's even cooler is that they'll load up even if your internet connection temporarily drops. Pretty convenient, isn't it?

8. QUIC Protocol for Faster Browsing

Google has been developing the QUIC connection protocol to enhance browsing speeds on certain websites. Even though it's still a work in progress, some sites already use it. QUIC combines TCP and UDP to reduce the number of server trips to just one. If you're eager to give QUIC a try whenever it's available, go to chrome://flags/#enable-quic and switch on the flag.

7. Enable Smooth Scrolling

This Chrome flag, as the name implies, enhances the scrolling experience on both mobile and desktop. It minimizes any rough or jittery movements you might notice while scrolling, and it's compatible with Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. You can activate #smooth-scrolling from the Chrome Flags page.

6. UPI/VPA Values

With the rising popularity of Google Pay and the widespread use of UPI for payments in India, Google is introducing a feature to automatically fill UPI/VPA values in payment forms. Once you enable this option, Chrome can identify your UPI ID or VPA, prompting you to save or autofill your VPA address in the payment box. Pretty cool, isn't it?

5. Faster Download Speeds

Parallel Downloading has been hanging out in the Chrome Flags repository for quite some time. It looks like Google might be planning to make it a regular feature soon. This flag boosts download speeds by dividing files into smaller chunks, kind of like what download managers on Windows do. Just look for 'parallel downloading' and switch on the flag.

4. Dark Mode for Webpages

Chrome now has a dark mode that you can turn on easily from the Settings page (Settings -> Theme -> Dark). But there's more – you can also enable dark mode for web pages. It functions similar to the Dark Reader extension on desktop, and the good news is that the previous problem of inverting images has been fixed. Simply search for 'dark' in Chrome Flags, turn on 'Force Dark Mode for Web Contents', and you're all set.

3. Live Caption

The Live Caption Chrome flag creates captions for media playing in Chrome. While this feature is native to Android, enabling this flag extends Live Caption to any OS – Mac, Windows, or Linux. To activate live caption in Chrome, go to chrome://flags/#enable-accessibility-live-caption and switch on the flag. Afterward, open Chrome Settings -> Accessibility to turn on Live Caption.

2. Autofill Predictions

Another useful Chrome flag in 2024 is Autofill predictions, which you can activate on both your desktop and smartphone. It automatically fills in online forms and text fields with details like your name, address, email, ZIP code, and more, saving you the hassle of entering redundant information manually. However, if you're not a fan of Google's autofill predictions, you can disable the flag by visiting chrome://flags/#show-autofill-type-predictions.

1. Biometric Reauthentication for Password Filling

This Chrome flag, as the name implies, prompts for biometric authentication when you opt to enter a password from Chrome Password Manager. It adds an extra layer of security to your Chrome browser, ensuring that nobody can sign into your account without biometric authentication. It's important to note that this flag is currently only available on Android phones. To turn it on, visit chrome://flags/#biometric-reauth-password-filling

What exactly are Chrome Flags?

Chrome Flags are experimental features that aren't part of the default Chrome experience. Some are designed for users and eventually make their way into the public version of Chrome, while others are created for developers and become part of Chrome Developer Tools upon release.

However, before you start using Chrome Flags, there are a few things you should know:

• After enabling a Flag, you need to relaunch your browser. All your open windows and tabs will reload.
• Flags aren't always stable. They might cause Chrome to behave strangely or even crash. These features haven't undergone the thorough testing needed to be included in the main version of Chrome, so proceed with caution.
• Flags aren't tested for security. If you're highly security-conscious, consider using a different browser or disabling Flags when engaging in online banking or other sensitive activities.