Click here to read a ChromeUnboxed article that shows you how / why you might want to use them.
N.B. One of the really useful Chrome browser features is the Reading list that you can quickly use to make a note of something you find online and want to revisit later - think of it as being like creating a bookmark, only for temporary stuff.
The feature can be enabled with it's own icon that is labelled the Show side panel that appears at the right hand end of the Bookmarks Bar. The panel is still being developed and as well as the Reading list it also houses Bookmarks and Journeys.
N.B. If for some reason things stop working then you may need to disable and enable the appropriate 'flag' in Settings.
When Google experiments with new features for the Chrome / Chromium browsers, which may or may not be incorporated into future versions of their basic Chrome browser, an internal flag setting is used to turn on the feature making it available for early preview.
By enabling a flag within the browser's settings you are temporarily adding experimental code within the browser. If you do not like the experience you can easily turn off the individual flag and that segment of code will be removed.
Warning: Google deliberately hides these potential upcoming updates behind flags because they are still in the testing phase and therefore not deemed to be ready for wider public use. While most of the changes are generally safe to use there is always a chance that something can go wrong which may negatively impact your browsing performance. Having said that flags are a great way to see what is coming 'down the line' and let you enjoy the features without having to wait for the next official release of the browser.
So activate at your own risk !
To access the Flags menu, type chrome://flags into the address bar [Omnibox] and press Enter which will bring up a page where you can configure any of the settings you wish to apply.
You'll will see a list of all current options available. Each entry has has a drop-down menu alongside it where you can configure the status to Default, Enabled or Disabled.
After making changes you will be prompted to restart your browser for them to take effect.
Usually the browser will restart as expected but very occasionally it can hang and you may need to reboot your system.
Click here if you would like to read a more detailed document, called "How to enable flags in Chrome" by HowToGeek, with pictures.
As Lacros segregates the browser code from the OS code it has become necessary to introduce a new method for treating flags differently. From within the Lacros browser type os://flags into the address bar [Omnibox] and press Enter which will bring up a new page where you can configure settings that apply to OS functions.
N.B. When you make changes to flag settings they are applied only to the copy of the browser you are using and are not synchronised with your Google account like bookmarks etc. Therefore if you use more than one compatible browser, on more than one computer, then you need to manually apply the flag settings to each of them.
FLAG SETTINGS IN USE
Enabling about 3 flags turns this on <> search for 'notes' [in chrome flags settings page] and enable it and 3 'power' flags that are also referenced on screen.
Enabling the Material You Quick Settings feature is a simple process. Just point the browser to chrome://flags#qs-revamp, enable the flag, and restart when prompted. After the restart you should see the new Material Design elements.
Enable chrome://flags#ash-overview-button to add the button to your system tray lets you quickly access the view of desktops.
Enable chrome://flags#enable-reader-mode to add icon that lets you toggle between views.
Enable chrome://flags/#enable-tab-audio-muting to get tab level audio control
Enable chrome://flags#enable-desks-templates to turn on templates.
Click here to learn more about using these templates.
Enable chrome://flags#enable-cros-on-device-grammar-check to turn on the checker.
Enable chrome://flags#calendar-view for a full calendar view option when clicking on the date in your System Tray.
Enable chrome://flags#enable-reader-mode to insert a 'book' icon to the right end of the Omnibox [where URLs are displayed] that automatically appears when any suitable web page is being viewed - just click the icon for a simplified view of that web page.
Enable chrome://flags#enable-reader-mode to create a new icon in your browser's address bar that appears anytime you've performed a search in Google and then clicked through to a result. Clicking this icon [a small Google-themed "G" in the upper-left corner, alongside the commands for moving back, moving forward, and refreshing] and see what happens.
Click here for an AboutChromebooks article introducing features of the new ChromeOS Sharing Hub in URL bar box.
Click here for a TechRepublic article explaining the details of the new ChromeOS Productivity Launcher.
Click here for extracted details from an email article by JR Raphael about two new ‘hub’ flags
FLAG SETTINGS FOR CONSIDERATION
Click here for see an AndroidPolice article from Sep 2021 that recommends several flags - plus it contains an extended list.
Click here to see an AndroidPolice article from Aug 2021 that recommends several flags - some of which require ChromeOS 92 but others work with earlier versions.
Click here to see a ChromeUnboxed video from May 2021 that recommends 5 flags still required in ChromeOS 90 for features that are not yet part of the official release but that you may find useful.
Click here to see an AndroidPolice article from January 2021 "Our recommended Chrome flags to test on your Chromebook".
Click here to read a HowToGeek article from December 2020 "How to Enable Google Chrome Flags to Test Beta Features" that explains the methods used and makes some suggestions for flags you may want to try.
Click here to see a HelpDeskGeek article from March 2020 "10 Best Chrome Flags to Enable to Improve Your Browsing Experience".
N.B. If you are not sure of what you are trying to achieve you should read up on each topic online first then carefully experiment with the flag settings in a controlled way making suitable notes as you go.