Mobile web browsers have indeed evolved significantly over the years. Chrome for Android, which initially offered basic functionalities like simple tabs and synchronization, has transformed into a robust platform that mirrors many features found in its desktop counterpart. Among these enhancements lies a lesser-known capability that can enhance user experience: the ability to utilize windows alongside tabs.
Windows…in a mobile browser?
It’s more useful than you might think
Surprisingly, Chrome for Android does support the use of windows, a feature that often goes unnoticed. This oversight stems from our perception of mobile devices, where we seldom associate the concept of “windows” with smartphones. However, Android multitasking operates similarly to a desktop operating system, albeit with a different visual approach due to the full-screen mode of most applications.
In Chrome for Android, each window functions like its desktop equivalent, complete with its own tabs while sharing bookmarks and settings. Users can open an unlimited number of windows, each appearing distinctly in Android’s Recents screen, effectively cloning the Chrome app for seamless navigation.
How to use windows in Chrome for Android
Choose your own adventure
To harness the window functionality in Chrome for Android, users can choose from a couple of methods depending on their needs—whether opening a new blank window or relocating an existing tab. The process varies slightly between standard slab-style phones and foldable devices, which I will outline below.
For slab-style phones (or closed foldables), follow these steps to open a new window:
- Launch Chrome on your Android device and activate split-screen mode.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the address bar.
- Select “New window.”
For foldable phones, users can skip the split-screen step when the device is unfolded.
Once multiple windows are open, moving tabs between them is straightforward:
- Open Chrome on your Android device.
- Navigate to the desired tab and tap the three-dot menu icon in the address bar.
- Select “Move to other window.”
- Choose the target window from the list.
- Tap “Move.”
For foldable phone users, an additional feature allows for instant tab transfers to new windows:
- Open Chrome on your Android device in its unfolded state.
- With multiple tabs open, press and hold a tab to reveal the menu.
- Select Move tab to new window (this option also works for moving tabs to existing windows).
All open windows can be viewed in the Recents multitasking screen. To manage them effectively, navigate to the three-dot menu icon and select Manage windows. Here, users can jump to specific windows, assign names, or close them as needed.
A handy trick for organization
Take your tab hoarding to the next level
Utilizing windows is an excellent strategy for organizing tabs within a mobile browser. While Chrome for Android also supports tab groups akin to its desktop version, windows provide the added benefit of visibility on the Recents screen. This feature enhances multitasking capabilities and elevates the overall browsing experience, making it feel more akin to a desktop environment.
Long-time Android users may recall a previous attempt by Google to integrate Chrome tabs into the Android Recents screen back in 2014, which was met with mixed reviews. Fortunately, the current implementation of windows offers a far superior experience. Other browsers, such as Samsung Internet and Microsoft Edge for Android, have adopted similar window functionalities, while Firefox has yet to follow suit. This feature, though perhaps initially overlooked, can quickly become an essential tool for users seeking efficiency in their mobile browsing.
