Google has added a back button to the top row of the three dot menu in Chrome for Android version 150, according to Android Police. The update is rolling out to users with automatic updates enabled and can also be installed manually through the Google Play Store.
The Back button appears to the left of the Forward button, the Favorites button, the Download button, and the Reload button. The addition brings Chrome for Android closer to the desktop experience and matches the functionality that Chrome for iOS has offered for some time.
What changed in Chrome for Android version 150
Chrome for Android version 150 introduces a new Back button in the top row of the three-dot menu. The button is located to the left of the existing controls, including the forward, favorite, download, and reload buttons.
To make room for the back button, several other changes have been made within the same menu. The information button has been moved from the top row to under Site Controls in the overflow menu.
The “Add to Home Screen” feature is now called “Install and Create Shortcut,” although its functionality remains the same. This new name aligns with terminology Google has used elsewhere in Chrome to describe the process of installing progressive web apps.
On Android, Chrome has traditionally relied on system-level navigation, such as the back gesture (swipe from the edge of the screen) or the Android navigation bar, to return.
Users who wanted a dedicated back button did not have any options in the browser and needed to use gestures or system controls. The addition of this button provides a visible tap-to-use option for back navigation within the browser interface.
It also brings Chrome on Android closer to Chrome on iOS, which has had a back button for some time, and is more in line with the desktop version of Chrome.
For those already using gesture navigation or Android’s back button, there is no need to change your current workflow. The new button is an additional option rather than a replacement for existing navigation methods.
How to get the update and use the back button
For users who want to install Chrome 150 with the Back button:
- Open the Google Play Store on an Android device, search for Chrome, and tap Update if the option appears.
- Alternatively, check that automatic updates are enabled in the Play Store settings to ensure the version 150 update is installed as part of the normal release.
- To check the version of Chrome installed, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, and scroll to About Chrome.
For users adjusting to the updated menu layout: The back button is now located as the leftmost item in the top row of the three-dot menu. To find site information, previously accessed through the information button, tap Site Controls in the additional menu.
When installing a website as an app, look for Install and Create shortcut options. Users who prefer not to use the back button can continue with gesture navigation or the Android system’s back button without any changes to their workflow.
Availability and implementation on Android
Chrome 150 for Android is gradually rolling out through the Google Play Store. The update is done in phases, so not all devices will receive it immediately. Users eager to update can manually search for newer versions on the Play Store.
Google has not announced any changes to Chrome’s mobile menu beyond what is included in version 150. Users can follow the Google Chrome release blog for updates on future changes, as the browser continues to evolve in the standard Chrome release cycle.
