After years of speculation, Google has finally rolled out the long-awaited bottom address bar to Chrome on Android. This feature, which was first hinted at nearly a decade ago, is now available for users without the need for experimental flags. If you are using version 138 of Chrome for Android, you may have noticed a notification that says, “You can touch and hold to move the address bar to the bottom.” A long press on the Omnibox reveals a new menu that allows you to easily reposition the address bar and includes a convenient “Copy link” option.
The address bar now sits just above the gesture navigation bar, greatly enhancing one-handed usability for larger devices. The familiar three-dot overflow menu has also been adjusted slightly to accommodate this change, although some users might have preferred a more extensive overhaul of the bottom bar, featuring frequently used tools like the Share option more prominently. Historically, Google has tinkered with the idea of a bottom-aligned address bar.
In 2016, a brief trial period allowed users to experience this feature before it was removed in Chrome 84 in 2020. In a frustrating twist for Android users, it was reintroduced only on iOS in 2023. Now, following a careful rollout that began in April and culminated in an official announcement last month, the feature is becoming widely available.
Chrome’s Settings menu even now includes a dedicated “Address bar” page, indicating that Google is committed to this change. If you haven’t received the option yet, try force-stopping Chrome from your device settings to expedite the update. It has been a long wait, but moving the Omnibox to a more accessible position is finally a reality.
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