Chrome for Android revamps reading mode.
Google is revamping one of Chrome for Android’s most long-established eccentricities: reading mode. The recalibrated, efficient take on the feature that’s currently new in Chrome 143 for a small number of users moves the feature to the three-dot menu.
The omnibox, in short, stays visible and doesn’t take end users out of the experience. It seems to be a constrained trial based on a feature flag for now, signaling an agile deployment cycle.
What’s changing, and why does it matter? Basically, you’ll no longer need to recall “use reading mode,” and reading mode will no longer feel like an impossible guest. Previously, it only appeared when Chrome felt like cleaning an article.
The new design focuses on consistency by keeping reading mode in an “always available” menu. It will now appear consistently in the overflow menu, below the “listen to this page” button, so you can open it whenever you want.
Secondly, activating it no longer takes you to a standalone, full-screen view. Instead, it will overlay a simplified view without distractions on top of Chrome’s usual browser interface.
It’s the difference between a flow and a flow interruption: in the old design, reading mode was a separate flow you transition into and back out of, while the current iteration makes it part of the same flow.
A more polished and approachable interface. It adapts Google’s visual expression Material 3 Expressive and features a large bottom sheet, semi-curved containers, as well as more definite divisions between every element. This gives reading mode a more clutter-free look and makes it simpler to tap on smaller devices.
Customization remains robust. You can switch between sans-serif, serif, and monospace font styles, scale text to as large as 250 percent, and change backgrounds from light to sepia to dark. Those controls aren’t just cosmetic; they can lessen eye strain and improve readability, particularly in low light or for visually sensitive users.
Predictability is the portal to routine. “People actually use things when they are in the same place and behave differently,” he said. Unprecedented, and a challenge for all publishers, but especially relevant on mobile because of the fragile attention there and constant interruptions. The new overlay approach to reading mode allows you to dip in for those dense paragraphs and then pop back out onto the full page without having to context-switch.
There’s also a potent accessibility angle. Studies compiled by literacy and accessibility advocates have demonstrated that clean layouts and adjustable typography increase reading speed and comprehension. With Chrome having just under two-thirds of the global browser market according to StatCounter, small usability improvements can make a big difference to many people.
How Chrome’s New Reading Mode Compares to Competitors
Reader modes aren’t new — Safari has long had a prominent Reader view, Samsung Internet features a one-tap reader button, and Firefox offers an unobtrusive Reader view on its Android edition. Older Chrome’s reader mode wasn’t exposed because it was not easy to use and was inconsistent. The feature keeps foundational UI elements in view and stabilizes the browser’s navigation, which tightens the gap and still offers Chrome users fairly intuitive browsing sessions.
Availability and How to Try Chrome’s New Reading Mode
The redesign has been found on devices running Chrome 143 on the stable channel, but it is not available in most places by default. As pointed out by 9to5Google, you probably need to fiddle with a feature flag to see it in action. If you’re interested, upgrade to Chrome 143, navigate to chrome://flags, turn on the “reader mode improvements” flag, and then relaunch your browser.
As a test, behavior could differ by region or device, and Google may adjust the UI before a wider rollout. But the general direction is clear: reading mode will move from an occasional helper to a reliable, low-friction tool deeply integrated into everyday browsing.
The Bottom Line on Chrome for Android’s Reading Mode
Chrome for Android’s new reading mode addresses the main pain point — unpredictability — while offering a more streamlined, easier-to-use interface. It’s a small change on paper, but if you read long articles, recipes, or guides from your phone at all, it could be one of the most quietly useful Chrome upgrades this cycle.
