Android Tips

See this AndroidPit article for "12 tips and tricks" to improve your Chrome Browser experience

Best Available

The Chrome browser is one of the best available and is built on the open source Chromium browser meaning it is modern, fast, secure and available on all popular platforms. 

If you own multiple devices it can be configured to automatically synchronise all of your favourite bookmarks, personalised settings etc. to each devices using the same Google Account. 

You can run Chrome alongside Chromium and if they both use the same Google Account details then they share the synchronised data.

Bloatware

Click here to learn how to deal with bloatware [unwanted pre-installed apps] from TechRepublic - see items 4 'Disable Bloatware' and 5 'System apps'

Bookmarking & Synchronising

When viewing a web page that you wish to bookmark you can either use the Settings menu [three dots in top right corner] > Bookmarks > Bookmarks this tab to enter a dialogue to save it, or you can do the same thing just using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+D. 

Either way a pop up box appears that allows you to give the Bookmark you are creating a suitable name and then file it away in a location of your choice. This can be in the 'Bookmarks Bar' [see below] or you can use the Bookmarks folder structure etc. 

All bookmarks are stored in the browser on your computer. Provided you are logged into your Google Account an automatic synchronisation is made to your Google Account online so you don't have to worry about them ever getting lost. If you are not logged into your account for some reason then the synchronisation will be done the next time you log in.

If you use more than one device to access you Google Account then all of your bookmarks and other details are automatically synchronised across all of your devices. 

Remember if you add, alter or delete a bookmark on one device then that action will occur immediately across all devices that are logged on to your account, or as soon as you next use your Google Account on another device.

Bookmarks Bar - "Reading List"

Desktop browser

Click here to read a HowToGeek article called "How to Add a Web Page to Google Chrome’s Reading List" and click here for another by TheNextWeb called "How to use chrome's built-in Reading List".

Android browser

Click here to read another HowToGeek article called "How to Enable Google Chrome’s “Reading List”

N.B. If you use these methods the bookmarks are treated specially and are NOT associated with those covered by the "Bookmarks Manager" that is explained below.

Bookmarks Bar - Setting up a Single Bookmark or a Folder of similar Bookmarks

If you build up a hoard of more than just a few bookmarks then things can quickly start to get messy and you need to think about being serious about organisation. 

Using the Bookmark Bar

The Chrome Browser has a very useful Bookmark Bar whose visibility can be toggled on / off using the Settings menu [three dots in top right corner] > Bookmarks > Show bookmarks bar, or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+B. 

When toggled 'on' it displays the bookmarks in a wide bar that runs right across the top of the large panel that displays the content of whatever web page you are viewing.

This is great when you first start but if you keep a lot of bookmarks then even the Bookmark Bar can soon become congested and you need to take further action. This is easily done by making use of folders, and perhaps sub-folders, in the Bookmarks Bar to save using up available space along it's width.

If you right click on an empty area of the Bookmarks Bar you will see there is an option to "Add folder ..." which lets you create a folder group into which you can keep any number of bookmarks, of a similar topic or theme, which can save a lot of space across the width of the bar.

Elements on the bar [individual bookmarks and / or group folders] are easily rearranged by left clicking on them and holding, then dragging to a new position, then releasing. The target release position can be anywhere on the Bookmark Bar itself or in one of the folder groups you have already created.

Tip

When viewing a web page you want to keep you can also quickly create a bookmark for it in your Bookmarks Bar, or place it directly into one of the existing group folders using drag 'n' drop. To do this just click and hold the small lock [in front of the https://....... URL address in the address box, also known as the Omnibox] and drag 'n' drop the whole address to the desired location. Once there you can right click on it to edit it's name.

Using the Bookmark Manager

This is a very handy tool that lets you keep things tidy, it can be accessed using the Settings menu [three dots in top right corner] > Bookmarks > Bookmarks Manager, or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+O. Both methods cause a panel to pop up as shown in the screenshot below.

You can easily customise the content of the Bookmarks Bar, to make it tidier and more efficient, by grouping together your favourite bookmarks into folder groups that work as drop down menus.

In the screenshot you can see that the first folder MyApps [shown to the left of the Bookmarks Bar] also appears, in beneath the open Bookmarks bar folder. You can see that it is highlighted in pale blue in the left hand list [indicating that it is selected] with it's content being displayed in the main panel in the middle.

You soon get used to opening the Bookmarks Manager using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+O to make changes and keep everything tidy.

Tips

Launching bookmarks : When you click on a bookmark the browser will open that page replacing whatever is your current browser tab, but if you press the Ctrl key before clicking the bookmark the browser will launch that page in a new tab leaving your current one open so you can easily return to it.

Editing bookmarks : When you save a bookmark the name allocated can be quite long as it defaults to a string of characters that the browser uses from the page's URL. This can look messy, but is easily rectified. When saving a bookmark using either the Bookmark this tab menu option or the  Ctrl+D shortcut dialogue you are given the opportunity to replace the default name. Apart from this you can edit the name of a bookmark at any time by simply right-clicking on it and taking the "Edit..." option.

Bookmarks on New Tab page

Click here to see a HowToGeek article on another method to customise the entries displayed on the New Tab page in Chrome browser. Great for managing a page full of your most regularly visited sites.

Bookmarking Locally & On The Web

In addition to what has been outlined above about local bookmarks there are a couple of more points about the differences between using a full desktop browser and one found on a smaller hand help device.  

1. Local Bookmarking Methods:

To create an individual bookmark you need to tell your browser what to do using one of these methods :-

1.1. Computers: use the Ctrl+d key combination and your browser will open a dialogue box that lets you save details of the current page - just follow the on screen instructions to optionally rename then choose where to keep it.

Each bookmark address is known as a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] and you have a choice of storing it in either the bookmarks list or the bookmarks bar. The list can hold any number of entries for easy access, the bar can be displayed near the top of the browser window and is useful for quickly accessing entries you use most often. 

1.2. Smartphones & Tablets: use different methods for storing bookmarks depending on the device and software versions. Try using the star or asterisk key, or press on the URL box at the top of the page, to see if that starts a dialogue. If these don't work you'll need to delve into your device's instruction manual and check out how to do it. If you don't have a manual handy use the Google Search engine to find one for your particular device.

2. Web Based Bookmarking Methods:

You can also use a web based Bookmark Manager which can be very useful if you find that the browser facilities are not enough to meet your needs, or if perhaps you want to have wider access to them for different browsers or groups of users.

If you want to learn more about Bookmark Managers do a search for them to see what is available both in terms of free and paid for services. 

Buddy Assistant

Set up voice commands on your computer

There is a great extension called Hey Buddy that is available for the Chrome and Chromium browsers to provide Android-like powers to your desktop in a similar way to the Google Assistant. You can get the Hey Buddy - Chrome Voice Assistant extension at the Chrome Webstore and try it for yourself.

Click here to see an article called “How to add powerful voice commands into Chrome on your computer” by Computer World for a full rundown of how it works, how to set it up for maximum effectiveness, and why exactly it might be worth your while. 

I’ve installed the extension in my Chrome and Chromium browsers [not tried it yet on other Chrome based browsers like Edge] and it works the same across the different operating systems.

It can be summoned by the default Hey Buddy launch phrase or you can always use the shortcut key combination of Ctrl+Shift+H.

Customise 

It even lets you pick your very own custom launch phrase (with suggestions like "Hey browser" or "Hey Björk-face" or "Hey Bobcat Goldthwait") so I’ve set up my own custom launch phrase of Hey Jeeves that works too. 

Easy to use 

Having woken up the system with your favourite launch phrase a small pop up box appears near the bottom right hand corner of the screen and it will just sit there and listen for your commands, of which there are plenty to choose from - see examples below.

Versatile 

You can just ask it to search for followed by your search term to find anything you want. 

Similarly you can say images of,  news of,  map of,  or  video of  followed by your search term to activate the appropriate Google service.

Chrome Browser Profiles

Click here for a TechRadar article that explains how to create, configure and use multiple profiles within the Chrome browser to keep user information separate.

Chrome Browser Tips

See this HowToGeek article to learn “How to Allow or Block Pop-Ups in Google 

See this AndroidPit article for "20 tips and tricks" for your Android's Chrome Browser - {updated regularly}

See this HowToGeek article for "How to Enable the Home Button and Set Your Home Page in Chrome" 

See this CNET article that will remind you of some of the great browser features you may not have used before, or maybe have just forgotten about.

Clearing cache for current site only

Sometimes hiccups occur in your browser that are not easily explained. Things can appear to be not working as expected, or just not working. One reason for these erratic problems may be down to what is stored in your browsers cache.

Click here to read the full article by ChromeUnboxed that explains how to clear the cache relating to the specific web site you are viewing in the tab of your Chrome browser using a great shortcut.

A quick refresh trick you may already be familiar with is to use the key combination of Ctrl+r [that causes the current page to be refreshed] but by using Ctrl+Shift+r you get the refresh along with a flush of your cache for that particular site.

Cookies : 1st Party and 3rd Party explained

The extracts below are from a HowToGeek article published in January 2025. Click here to read the full article.

What Are First-Party Cookies, and How Do They Work?

When you visit a website, it stores a cookie in your browser to keep track of the things you do while on the site. For example, if you're shopping online and add a bunch of items to your cart, cookies make sure your cart doesn't mysteriously empty when you click over to another page. That is a first-party cookie.

Without first-party cookies, online shopping would be like trying to shop in a store where the cashier forgets your items every time you walk down a new aisle—frustrating and chaotic. But first-party cookies aren't just about shopping carts. They're also why you don't have to re-enter your login details every time you visit your favorite sites (as long as you've clicked "Remember Me" or similar phrasing), and how websites can keep track of your language preferences or display settings.

The great thing about first-party cookies is that they're generally seen as less intrusive than their third-party counterparts. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Like anything on the internet, first-party cookies can be misused. Some websites might use them to collect more data about you than you're comfortable with, which is why it's always a good idea to check a site's cookie policy. But in general, first-party cookies are the behind-the-scenes helpers, quietly ensuring everything runs smoothly while you browse.

What Are Third-Party Cookies, and How Do They Differ from First-Party Cookies?

Third-party cookies a bit like uninvited guests at a party. They show up when you're visiting a website, but they're not actually from that website. Instead, they're placed there by a different website or company that wants to track your activity, build a profile of your interests, habits, and preferences and show you ads.

If you've ever wondered why you keep seeing ads for that pair of shoes you casually glanced at last week, you've got third-party cookies to thank.

Third-party cookies aren't inherently evil. In fact, they can be pretty useful in the right context. For example, they help businesses serve you ads that are (hopefully) relevant to your needs. Instead of bombarding you with generic ads for lawnmowers when you live in an apartment, they might show you ads for something you actually care about, like a new gaming console or a vacation package.

How You Can Manage Both Types of Cookies in Your Browser

First-party cookies are pretty easy to manage because, most of the time, they're working in your favour. If you ever need to clear them out—say, if a website is acting wonky or you just want a fresh start—you can do so in your browser's settings by clicking something like "Clear Browsing Data." Just keep in mind that clearing these cookies will likely log you out of your favourite accounts, so be prepared to re-enter your passwords.

To manage third-party cookies, you'll need to be a little more proactive. Most browsers let you block third-party cookies entirely in your privacy settings, which is a great option if you're tired of feeling like you're being followed around the internet.

Also, keep in mind that blocking third-party cookies might cause some websites to behave oddly—especially those that rely on embedded content like videos or social media feeds. If this happens, you can whitelist specific sites you trust.

For an extra layer of control, you can also install browser extensions like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin. These tools help you manage cookies and trackers without having to micromanage every website you visit. Another option is to use a privacy-friendly browser like Brave or DuckDuckGo, which are designed to minimize tracking right out of the box. These browsers automatically block most third-party cookies and trackers, so you can browse without feeling like someone's peering over your shoulder. 

Cookies - the good and the bad

Cookies are placed on your computer when you visit a website for a number of good reasons. however sometimes they can cause the odd problem and it is handy to be able to get rid of them.

For the long answer - click here to read a 7labs.io article.

For the short answer to Chrome browser issues see below.

To delete cookies and cache for a specific site in Google Chrome, follow the instructions given below:

1. Launch Google Chrome and click on the Menu on the top right corner and click on Settings.

2. Scroll to the bottom and click on “Show advanced settings”.

3. Under Privacy section, click on Content Settings.

4. Under Cookies, click on All cookies and site data. It opens a new window with a list showing all stored cookies and cache.

5. Type the name of the website (for which you want to delete data, ex. Google.com) in the “Search cookies” text box in the top right corner. The list is filtered showing only data from the searched domain.

Now delete individual site data by clicking on the cross at the right side, or clear everything in the filtered list by clicking on the Remove all button. Thus, you can remove cookies and data for specific sites on Chrome.

Custom Shortcuts

Click here to visit a more in depth page at the FastTrack2Pro site that details how you can create custom shortcuts in your Chrome browser for increased efficiency.

Deep Linking

This is a new feature being developed for the Chrome browser [v 80+] where the user specifies the URL of a page that they want to visit and extend it to include what they call 'text fragment' that is used to automatically scroll down the target page and position it at the first occourence of the supplied 'text'. Click here to read full details of how to use the facility.

Editing a Web page 

There are a number of reasons you may want to edit something on a web page and it really is not too difficult when you know how. Click here for details of how to go about it.

Extensions

Extensions can be installed to extend the functionality of your browser - there are many brilliant options to chose from in the Chrome Web Store.

Here are links to a couple of popular extensions called Web Paint and FireShot that let you 'mark up' web pages and then 'capture' them by selecting the area [portion of screen; full screen; or indeed the entire web page including areas not visible on screen] you are interested in. These are really useful facilities and can be used for many different situations to collate information. 

Extensions Check Up

Google has taken important steps with the introduction an ‘Extensions Checkup’’ for the stable version of Chrome. 

This will warn users about extensions which may be invading their privacy or impacting performance. 

Spotted by Techdows, you can enable it by pasting chrome://flags/#extension-checkup into your browser and enabling options 3 and 4 from the drop down menu. [Comment by Phil: When using Chrome on UnUbuntu the drop down showed many options all of which seemed to be enabled together - which is not what the instructions indicate.] This will then allow the browser to alert you if you install an extension which violates expected norms or if an update to an existing extension you use makes changes you need to know about.

Extension Details 

Click here to visit a more in depth page at the FastTrack2Pro site that details what can be done using the Chrome browser.

Hidden Features & Settings

See this HowToGeek article to learn how to easily access Features and Settings using the Chrome:// Pages

Learn to also use the "HiddenTools" extension that provides a better interface to many features 

Here is a very good Chrome Help at the official Google Support pages that is definitely worth bookmarking.

Housekeeping

See this article by TechRepublic to learn how to "clear cache and cookies" from most popular browsers.

Incognito Mode : Enabling An Extension

See this article by HowToGeek to learn how to turn on "Incognito Mode " for a given extension.

Installation

If you have not already used Google's Chrome Browser you should consider installing it and giving it a try. See how it can improve your whole web experience.

Click here to visit the Chrome Help Centre

Chrome Browser downloads ...

Select the correct version for your device

Chrome Browser review & download ...

Let CNET tell you why

Once installed take a look at these 7 useful shortcuts to help you get going.

Instance Switcher in Chrome {Dual windows active}

14/01/2023 :

This has been around for quite a while but has always had a strange way to access it. 

In order to open two instances of Chrome side by side, or top and bottom, you first have to open Chrome then slide up from the bottom navigation bar and hold to bring up Android's recent app switcher. 

You then tap on the Chrome icon which will bring up a menu and should have an option that says ‘split top’ or ‘split left’ if you have your phone in landscape orientation. 

When you tap split top the phone will expect you to pick a second app to be launched in the bottom half of the screen. 

So pick any app and tap on it. Now you have two apps on the screen at once. 

Chrome will be at the top and the second app that you chose will be at the bottom. 

Tap on the three dot menu in Chrome and you should have an option that says "open new window". 

Tap that and a new window will be opened in the bottom half of the screen in place of the app that you currently have there. 

So now you will have two instances of Chrome open, one on each half of the screen, and you will have an option in the three dot menu that says "manage windows" that will allow you to close one of the two if you want to.

Tip: Having gone to all this trouble to get the two windows open it’s worth remembering you can hang on to them using the middle ‘sizer' facility to split the windows [say 90% / 10%] that mean you are ready to use in dual mode at any time without having to go through the set up again. 🙂

Paging Up/Down

When the page you are viewing holds more information than will fit onto the screen you access the additional content by paging down using the PgDn button that is usually found to the right of the keyboard. 

When you do this the content will page down several lines of text [or a block] at a time. 

Similarly if you want to return to where you were you can do that by paging up using the PgUp button - which is usually adjacent to the PgDn button.

Some keyboards feature a numeric keypad and an additional pair of these buttons which are only activated when the associated NumLock toggle key is in the off position.

Scrolling [or panning] Up/Down or Left/Right

You can also pan around any page that is too large to fit on the screen by getting it to pan using the arrow keys {usually close to the PgUp and PgDn buttons} to move the screen slowly in any of the four arrow directions.  

Password extraction

Worried about making a copy of all your passwords, for use elsewhere, then click here to learn how to export them from Chrome into a spreadsheet. The article points out a lot pro's and con's which are well worth reading before you start. 

Passkeys to replace passwords

Click here to see a video that explains why passkeys are much easier and safer than using traditional passwords that can be easily hacked.

Progressive Web Apps

PWAs employ new web programming abilities championed by Google and allies like Microsoft that make interactive websites behave more like regular local apps. 

Click here to visit another Help Site that goes into them in more detail.

Reader Mode

About

If you are trying to read a web page and you keep getting distracted by unwanted images and adverts you can focus better using Chrome's Reader Mode.

You can remove adverts, overlays, and social media buttons and get past subscription portals when you have to subscribe to view the content.

Set Up

To use Reader Mode you must first enable it by opening a new tab in Chrome and type "chrome://flags/#enable-reader-mode" in the Chrome address bar.

Select Enable from the drop-down menu and restart your browser.

Using

Once you have enabled the Reader Mode you can either click on the book icon that appears to the right end of your taskbar to use it, or you can click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Enter reader mode (and Exit reader mode) from the menu.

Tweaking

As a bonus you can customise the information for easier reading by changing the font style / size or by editing the background colour from white to black to light tan.

Printing

With Reader Mode enabled when you click on the three dots and select Print from the menu you'll notice that the prints are more streamlined. 

To get a better idea of how the information would appear, you can check the Preview window before printing.

If you're trying to print web pages you'll see that the Reader Mode either does not appear, or is greyed out, because Chrome's Reader Mode only works on individual articles and not webpages.

Once satisfied with your information layout you can print directly to a printer or save your work as a PDF file.

Save any Web Page as a PDF

See this HowToGeek article that explains how save a whole web page as hard copy without printing. If it is a large page, and you only want parts of it (e.g. only the first page, or a range such as pages 2-3) to be saved into the PDF file you can limit the scope using the “Pages” option. It's also possible to change the orientation of the PDF file from portrait (vertical) to landscape (horizontal) by clicking on the “Layout” option.

Search your Google Drive

See this HowToGeek article to learn how to quickly set up your Chrome browser's omnibox [the big Address Bar / Search Box that appears along the top] to let you easily search documents in your Google Drive for any given search term.

Searching more effectively

The subject of searching in the correct way throws up all kinds of methods and opinions. It's worth taking a look at this page that covers the subject in more detail.

Shortcuts

Click here for an ItsFOSS article that covers"Essential Keyboard Shortcuts Google Chrome/Chromium Users Should Know" about using the Chrome / Chromium browsers.

Click here to see a HowToGeek article "Chrome Shortcuts You Should Know" for :-

• • • • • • • • • Working with Tabs and Windows  

                • Google Chrome Features  

                • Working with the Address Bar  

                • Browsing Pages

Shortcuts to web pages

When viewing a web page, with the browser on your mobile, you can create a shortcut on your home screen so that you can quickly launch it without searching Bookmarks etc. Just tap the three buttons [at the top right corner of screen] to open the menu and select “add to home screen”option. The desktop version of Chrome has a similar feature under "More tools ..."

Tabbing from field to field

When entering information on a web page, or a program that runs on your computer, you will notice that the screen is made up of two different types of zones or areas that are called protected and non-protected fields. 

The former are fixed and you cannot change them - the latter [usually empty square boxes] are designed to capture information you enter. 

As you finish typing information into a box the cursor may automatically move on to the next box when the current box is full. However this doesn't always happen and you need to re-position the cursor yourself either by :- 

        Pressing the Tab key that is normally near the top left hand side of your keyboard that will cause the cursor to jump to the next available non-protected field.

        [Do not confused this key with tabs along the top of your browser] 

        Alternatively you can use the mouse to re-positioning the cursor in the next box then click on the mouses's left key to lock the cursor to the new position. 

        If you are using a laptop with a touchpad you can move the cursor to it's new position then lock it by quickly double-clicking the touchpad area or single-clicking the left key.

Try out the different methods yourself - it's all a matter of individual preference and what suits you best ! 

Text Size

If you need to change the text size on screen then it's simple to make temporary changes.

     Before having a go you need to know about a few keys. 

The 'Ctrl' keys - these are usually marked 'Ctrl' or 'Control' - you'll probably find you have two of them - one at each end of the big 'space bar'

The 'Shift' keys - these usually have an upward pointing arrow on them and sometimes include the word 'Shift' - they are probably above the Ctrl keys - when pressed and held allow you to type whatever is shown at the top of those keys bearing two symbols. A good example is the key shared by the '+' sign [top] and the '=' sign [bottom] located just a bit above the large 'Enter' or 'Return' key that has a small bent arrow on it.

Why not have a practice right now, then you'll know that you can always use the technique later if you ever find it necessary ....

To increase text size

Depress both the Ctrl key and the Shift key 

    then press the + sign key 

     - you should see the screen text get bigger immediately - if necessary do it again. 

To decrease text size

    Depress the Ctrl key by itself this time 

    then press the - sign key 

     - you should see the screen text get smaller immediately - if necessary do it again

Other control features

You can also hold down the Ctrl key and use your mouse's scroll wheel to zoom in or out. 

Reset the zoom to 100 percent with Ctrl + 0.  Just note that some browsers don't let you use the zero on the keyboard's number pad. 

Some browsers will remember your zoom settings for specific websites, but usually any new websites you visit will open at 100 percent. 

Some browsers let you set the default zoom and font size. Not every browser supports both. See 'Zoom'  entry below.

URL : Uniform Resource Locator 

Click here for a lengthy, possibly a bit boring, but totally informative article "Everything Publishers Need to Know About URLs" by seoforgooglenews that explains about the different parts and functions of a URL that we all take for granted. Not something you need to know every day but handy if you are a bit curious.

Voice dictation using Chrome Browser with Online Tool

Click here for the dictation site using your Chrome browser [others do not work] to see what is available. 

Click here for a Youtuber's video that provides an overview. ​

Tested using Chrome browser under Ubuntu [Linux] and seems fine although some of the 'save' options had problems. Testing was done using a pretty cheap external microphone which had to be positioned within 3 to 4 inches of mouth.

VPN : Virtual Private Network

A good VPN can be really useful for circumventing geolocation * restrictions that may affect the scope of what your browser, or other application, is normally allowed to access and process.

• Geolocation refers to the use of location technologies such as GPS or IP addresses to identify and track the whereabouts of connected electronic devices. Because these devices are often carried on an individual's person, geolocation is often used to track the movements and location of people and surveillance.

Click here to see a MakeTechEasier article from Dec 2024 called "Can a Free VPN Be Trusted?" that discusses the potential pitfalls of using a Free VPN.

Website Apps : Chrome & Edge Browsers

Click here to see HowToGeek article "How to Make a Website into a Windows 10 App"and Desktop and Task Bar shortcuts - these facilities also exist in other operating systems.

What's New In Your Chrome Browser

Click here to see "Chrome Labs becomes the new home for experimental browser features" and learn how you can easily experiment with new features that are being tested for the Chrome browser.

Why "Two are better than one" - double your browser options

Click here to see "Why You Should Use Multiple Web Browsers" by HowToGeek that makes a compelling case for organising your online life using more than one browser.

Youtube as a Research Tool

You probably know that Youtube is a great site for music, videos and all kinds of entertainment but did you know it's also very good for finding out all kinds of other things. 

For example to obtain an up to date list of Chrome Tips and Tricks click here to carry out a canned Youtube search that will find more information than you can handle. 

Zoom Settings for Chrome

Click here for a HowToGeek article that discusses the controls available in your Chrome browser and the different settings you can use to adjust the way all / specific sites are displayed.