You Can Now Move Chrome’s Address Bar — Here’s the Step-by-Step Guide

For years, Chrome users have been asking for more customization options — and now one of the most requested features has arrived: the ability to move the Chrome address bar. Whether you find it uncomfortable to reach the top of your screen on larger smartphones or simply want a more personalized browsing experience, shifting the address bar is a game changer.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to move Chrome’s address bar step by step, why this feature matters, and how it can improve your browsing experience.


Why Move the Chrome Address Bar?

Smartphones have grown larger over the years, which means reaching the top of the screen with one hand has become increasingly difficult. Moving the address bar (also called the omnibox) to the bottom makes browsing more:

  • Comfortable – No more stretching your thumb awkwardly.
  • Efficient – Faster access to search and URL entry.
  • Customizable – You decide whether it looks and feels better at the top or bottom.

This is especially useful for users with phones that have 6.5-inch+ displays, which dominate today’s market.


Step-by-Step: How to Move Chrome’s Address Bar

📱 On Android

  1. Update Chrome
    Make sure your Chrome browser is updated to the latest version via the Google Play Store.
  2. Open Chrome Settings
    Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  3. Go to “Address Bar” or “Toolbar Position”
    Depending on your version, you may see an option labeled Toolbar placement or Address bar position.
  4. Choose Your Preferred Position
    Select Top or Bottom. The change happens instantly.
  5. Restart Chrome if Needed
    In some cases, you may need to restart the app for the change to take effect.

🍏 On iPhone (iOS)

  1. Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right.
  2. Select Settings > Address Bar Position.
  3. Choose between Top or Bottom placement.
  4. The bar will shift instantly, no restart required.

Tips for Using the New Chrome Address Bar

  • Pair it with gestures – Swiping between tabs feels more natural when the bar is at the bottom.
  • Try both positions – You may find the bottom bar great for one-handed use but prefer the top for multitasking.
  • Customize further – Explore Chrome’s experimental flags (chrome://flags) for more UI tweaks, though be careful since these are beta features.

Advantages of Having the Bar at the Bottom

  • One-handed browsing: Perfect for large phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max.
  • Consistency with other apps: Safari, Edge, and Opera already use a bottom bar layout.
  • Better ergonomics: Reduces finger strain when browsing for long sessions.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Feature rollouts may vary: Google often rolls out updates region by region, so not all users may see the option immediately.
  • Beta vs. Stable Chrome: If you don’t see the feature, consider installing Chrome Beta from the Play Store or TestFlight on iOS to try it early.
  • Not permanent: You can switch back to the top bar anytime.

Final Thoughts

The ability to move Chrome’s address bar might seem like a small tweak, but it significantly improves usability for modern smartphone users. Whether you’re browsing with one hand or just prefer a more intuitive layout, this option gives you control over how you experience the web.