Andy Walker / Android Authority
TL;DR Chrome for Android is testing a redesigned Reading mode that’s easier to access and less inconsistent.
Reading mode now lives permanently in the three-dot menu and keeps the address bar visible while reading.
The update requires Chrome 143 and a manual flag toggle for now, suggesting a limited test rollout.
Reading mode has been available in Chrome on Android for a while, but using it has never been particularly reliable. It only appeared on certain pages, relied on Chrome deciding whether an article qualified, and could vanish just as quickly as it showed up, which made it easy to forget the feature existed at all. That looks like it might be changing.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
As spotted by 9to5Google, Google is now testing a redesigned Reading mode in Chrome for Android that makes it far easier to trigger and less disruptive to use. The updated version moves Reading mode into Chrome’s three-dot menu, where it appears consistently below “Listen to this page,” rather than sporadically near the address bar.
Old version Old version Old version
Tapping “Show Reading mode” no longer switches to a full-screen view. Instead, the page stays visible with the address bar still in place, making Reading mode feel more like an overlay than a separate mode you have to enter and exit. There’s still a straightforward way to leave Reading mode, but you’re no longer pulled away from the normal browsing experience to simplify an article.
... continue reading