Goodness gracious, I definitely love saving seconds. And if there’s one area where wasted moments are just begging to be recovered, it’s in the shiny Chrome browser on your favorite Android phone.
Google’s Android Chrome app is an absolute goldmine when it comes to hidden shortcuts and underrated time savers. And despite the fact that we went over a ton of premium time savers for the Chrome Android environment a handful of months ago, I kept thinking to myself, “Hi wilikers, Mr. Wigglesby, there needs to be more.”
(Mr. Wigglesby, I call myself when I am really deep in contemplation. But you already knew that – obviously.)
So I put on my favorite gaming hat and set out to explore every single surface of the Chrome Android app. I just knew there had to be several time-saving treasures lurking within some of its rarely caressed areas. And quite rightly, I found some incredible new gems that we could both enjoy – all within the confines of the browser’s modest address bar.
Grab your most sturdy exploration boots and get ready. It’s time to dump her and move on.
Chrome Android Shortcut # 1: The Hidden Tab Actions
First, see the box that shows the total number of tabs you have open in Chrome on Android – the rounded square shape in the upper right corner of the screen?
Yes, it is – the one who probably has an embarrassingly high number on him if you are a digital hoarding freak like me.
Well, make a mental note of this: if you press and hold the box for about a second, you will reveal a wonderfully useful menu with time-saving tab settings.
Hand down is the fastest way to close your current tab or open a new tab – whether plain or incognito. And everything you have must do is realize that it is there.
Chrome Android Shortcut # 2: The fast navigation bar
Then tap the actual address of the site you see in Chrome on your phone – whatever address you see right in the middle of the same bar at the top of your scriggity screen.
It will pull up a slightly used launchpad, that’s just it crowded with great opportunities:
The icons directly next to the site name allow you to share the page anywhere, copy page address and edit it in the Chrome address bar (if you want to adjust it in any way).
And below that, you’ll see icons for other sites that Chrome thinks you’ll likely access next time, along with search terms that are somehow related to the page.
But wait! There is something else hidden in that area and waiting to be discovered …
Chrome Android Shortcut # 3: The Hidden Recent Search List
Here it is: After tapping the address of the site you are currently viewing, tap the line that says “Related to this page”.
It makes Chrome hide the list and show you one second list of specific recent searches you have performed – on your phone as well as on any other device where you are signed in to the same Google Account. You can then tap on one of these terms to start the same search right there and then.
There you can just see ?!
Chrome Android Shortcut # 4: Home Personalization Button
For this next tip, pretend to be a search pigeon and focus your pearl eyes on the icon shaped like a house – in the upper left corner of the Chrome Android address bar.
(And if you does not see the icon, open the browser settings, press “Home”, and turn the knob there to the on position. Then make a loud “CAW!” sound for the sake of good order.)
Press and hold the home button and you will find a saved option to edit the Chrome homepage. It will take you to a screen where you can set the new tab default page to be anything you want – be it a site you frequently access from your phone, a Google Image results page that displays images of my face, or maybe even a pigeon-specific social network.
Whatever the case, remember that shortcut and you can change your Chrome Android homepage anytime your fluttering little feathered heart desires it.
Chrome Android Shortcut # 5: Speedway Browser Settings
Speaking of the Chrome homepage, provided you stick to the default Google New Tab page setup, you have a convenient option to jump directly into your browser settings whenever you want – without having to dig into menus or waste strength.
Just tap your profile picture in the upper right corner of the screen.
One touch of your faithful talon, and it’s it: You want to stare at the Chrome settings faster than you can say “Seriously, what’s wrong with this guy and the birds ?!”
Chrome Android Shortcut # 6: The Custom Address Bar Button
This next Android Chrome shortcut may be my favorite of all. Not so long ago, Google added the ability to build your own custom shortcut button directly into Chrome’s address bar on any Android phone you care about.
And if you have not yet enabled it and / or configured it to match your workflow, let me tell you: You’re really missing something.
To get started, tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner of Chrome, select “Settings”, then scroll down and select “Toolbar Shortcut”.
Now think about which Chrome command would be most useful to have available in an ever-present location with a single tap away. The browser do has the ability to automatically adjust the icon based on what that think you probably need it at any given time, but personally I find that consistency is the key to making the shortcut useful and allowing the muscle memory to guide you to it – and I find that the share command is the most effective use of it room for mine personal work style.
Whatever you choose, just get used to using it – and seconds, they will be saved.
Oh, and one more thing …
Chrome Android Shortcut # 7: The custom address bar extra
If you’re not completely convinced that you’ve chosen the best custom Chrome address bar action for your Android tapping needs, do not worry about your eerie face – because the handy li’l button has a handy li’l shortcut its own.
Press and hold your new custom button in the browser’s address bar, and what about that?
You will invoke a single-tap command to redefine its role as needed and change it to any purpose you want, at any time.
The only thing left is to pat yourself on the shoulder and consider calling yourself Mr. Wigglesby. Hi, you deserve it.
If you have learned just one thing from this journey, keep the momentum going sign up for my completely free Android Shortcut Super Course. You will regain countless precious moments, and I promise: I will not make more pigeon references.
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