Chrome on Android is finally customizable like its PC counterpart

Android users have long awaited greater customization flexibility for their default browser.

Google has finally listened to these requests, introducing a series of aesthetic options for the mobile version of its famous browsing program, Chrome.

With the latest update, the new tab screen will no longer be limited to the classic and monotonous white or dark background. Users will indeed have the ability to set personal images, select specific tints, and apply themed backgrounds, bridging the historical gap that separated the smartphone version from the much richer desktop computer version.

Google Chrome updates on Android, it is now more customizable

The feature, originally spotted in testing last year, is now in global rollout. To use it, you need to have version 151.0.7922.71 of the Chrome app for Android.

Once the browser is launched and a new tab opened, it is sufficient to tap the three-dots icon in the top right and select the option dedicated to customization, to access the new appearance-related entry. Until now, mobile browsing had maintained an extremely sober and unfussy profile, especially when compared to the extensive configuration options available for years on desktop operating systems.

The introduction of this panel represents an important step forward for Mountain View’s company, which manages to enrich the interface without weighing it down with unnecessary complexity.

From personal photos to tailor-made colors

Within the new section, the system offers four main directions to modify the appearance of the start page. The first option serves to restore the default theme, useful for those who might rethink it or prefer Google’s standard design.

The second choice, perhaps the most appreciated by those who desire a personal and familiar touch, allows you to upload an image directly from the device memory, turning a simple vacation photo into the browser’s new daily background.

For those who prefer more immediate but equally captivating solutions, the menu includes a selection of pre-set colors, capable of giving vibrancy to the application with a single tap. There is also a handy optional function that lets the software vary the tint automatically every 24 hours, guaranteeing a fresh aesthetic at every login.

Galleries curated for every preference

The latest option is named The Theme Collections and presents itself as a true digital gallery curated directly by the company.

This section collects a wide range of backgrounds organized into well-defined categories, spanning natural landscapes to architectural wonders, through fascinating views of the Earth, abstract patterns, artistic illustrations, and soft color gradients.

Also in this case, Google has implemented a system of daily updates. Activating it, the user will see a new image from the chosen category each day, making opening a new tab a different experience every time.

This feature definitely brings a breath of freshness to smartphone displays.