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Chrome Flags allows you to customise many advanced feature options in Google Chrome. Currently, this service is still in experimental mode, so you can choose to ignore it entirely if you prefer. However, some experimental options are worth enabling, but you should be careful as enabling certain options can cause Google Chrome to crash and quit unexpectedly.

This article will share Chrome flags that are worth enabling after testing. We recommend enabling 10 of these features. Let’s take a look!

What are Chrome flags

Chrome Flags are experimental features and settings in the Google Chrome web browser that allow users to customise and enhance their browsing experience. These flags provide access to advanced options that are still in development or testing. While they have the potential to improve performance, security and functionality, they can also be unstable or cause problems in some cases.

Users can access Chrome Flags by typing “chrome://flags” in the address bar and pressing Enter. This will open a hidden settings page where you can enable, disable or modify various experimental features.

It’s important to note that Chrome Flags are not intended for casual users and can affect the stability of your browser. So it’s a good idea to use them with caution and only enable flags that you understand and believe will benefit your browsing experience.

Some popular Chrome flags include options to improve page loading speed, enhance security, enable dark mode for websites, and more. However, the specific flags that are worth enabling may vary depending on your preferences and needs. It’s a good idea to research each flag before enabling it, and to keep an eye on Google’s updates and changes to ensure a smooth browsing experience.

Chrome flags are experimental features that allow users to customize the behavior of Google Chrome. While some flags can be helpful, others may cause stability or security issues. It is important to research flags before enabling them and to disable any flags that cause problems.

Here are some of the things you can do with Chrome flags:

Test new features that are not yet released to the public.
Customize the appearance and behavior of Chrome.
Improve performance or security.

It is important to use Chrome flags with caution. Some flags may cause instability or security issues. Before enabling any flags, it is important to understand their function and potential risks.

Here are some things to keep in mind when using Chrome flags:

Only enable flags that you understand and are willing to test.
Back up your Chrome settings before enabling any flags.
Report any problems you encounter to the Chrome team.

Here are some examples of Chrome flags:

#enable-tab-grid-layout: Enables a new tab layout that displays tabs in a grid.
#enable-reader-mode-on-all-pages: Enables Reader mode on all pages, even those that do not support it.
#enable-experimental-web-platform-features: Enables experimental Web Platform features.

To enable Chrome flags, open the Chrome flags page by typing chrome://flags in the address bar. You can then search for specific flags or browse through the list of available flags. To enable a flag, click the Default button and then select Enabled.

To disable a flag, click the Enabled button and then select Default.

For more information about Chrome flags, visit the Chrome flags documentation.

A Chrome flag is an experimental feature that can be enabled or disabled to change the behavior of Google Chrome. Chrome flags are not yet fully developed or tested, so they may cause instability or security problems. However, they can also be used to test new features before they are released to the public or to customize the behavior of Chrome to meet your specific needs.

To access Chrome flags, type chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter. This will open a page where you can browse through a list of all available flags. To enable or disable a flag, click the dropdown menu next to it and select Enabled or Disabled. Once you have made your changes, click the Relaunch button to restart Chrome.

Here are some examples of Chrome flags:

#enable-tab-grid-layout: Enables a new tab layout that displays tabs in a grid.
#enable-reader-mode-on-all-pages: Enables Reader mode on all pages, even those that do not support it.
#enable-experimental-web-platform-features: Enables experimental Web Platform features.

It is important to note that Chrome flags are experimental features and may not work as expected. It is also important to back up your Chrome settings before enabling any flags, so that you can restore them if necessary.

Chrome flags, which improve your browsing experience exponentially.

Show autofill predictions
This flag shows Chrome’s autofill predictions as placeholder text in online forms.

When you arrive at a signup or other form, Chrome offers autofill to save you typing the same email address, name, and postcode you use in a zillion forms. This flag means that when the form appears, it’s automatically filled in without you having to type anything.

show-autofill type predictions

Freeze and discard tabs
This flag replaces the Automatic Tab Drop flag. If you’re in the habit of leaving multiple tabs open, this flag is for you: it keeps them open, but stops them using memory.

Normally, Chrome treats each tab as its own little program, which you can see in your Task Manager. This “tablerone” is a memory and CPU hog. But with Tab Freeze and Discard, you can keep as many tabs open as you like and still see their contents without sacrificing memory. They ‘wake up’ when you navigate or interact with them. IF you have a tab addiction, enable this Chrome flag.

proactive-tab-freeze-and-discard

Parallel Downloading
Parallel downloading creates three separate download ‘jobs’ to speed up the download of large files. Enabling this flag can make large file downloads much faster.

enable-parallel-downloading

Enable QUIC
In most cases, what’s fast isn’t secure, and vice versa. Even the best Chrome VPNs slow things down a bit. But Google has been working on a new protocol that combines elements of TCP and UDP that’s both faster and more secure. QUIC works by reducing the number of connection requests needed to establish a secure connection with the server.

enable-quic

Override Software Rendering List
Lets you force the use of GPU acceleration even where it’s not supported, overriding the default software rendering. Useful if you want to test your application or website with GPU acceleration.

ignore-gpu-blacklist

Lazy image loading
Lets you load image-heavy pages faster by forcing “lazy” image loading, which doesn’t load images until they’re about to appear on the screen.

Many websites are coded this way. But for those that aren’t, there’s no need to wait for the site’s development team to get around to it. And developers can easily test how a site would perform if it were coded this way.

enable-lazy-image-loading

Full URL display
Google has stopped showing full URLs for websites in Chrome 76. It now truncates “trivial” subdomain stuff like m. and www. and prefixes like https://. The search bar will only show the website name and folders.

Depending on what you do, this can be annoying for a number of reasons. It hides the URL of the site you’re visiting. Are you on the www. version or not? For developers and SEOs, this is very important. And if you want to copy the URL, you automatically get the whole thing – prefixes and all – whether you want it or not. For me, it also makes it inconvenient to search websites using the Site: parameter directly from Google.

If you prefer to see the URL without any interference, there are two flags in Chrome that allow you to do so. Note that they will eventually be deprecated.

Just load the two tags:

omnibox-ui-hide-steady-state-url-scheme

omnibox-ui-hide-steady-state-url-trivial-subdomains

With both Omnibox UI Hide Steady-State URL Scheme and Omnibox UI Hide Steady-State URL Trivial Subdomains enabled, you should see full URLs in your search bar. At least until Google deprecates the flags (or gives us our URLs back!).

How To enable Chrome Flags

To enable Chrome Flags in the Google Chrome web browser, follow these steps:

Open Google Chrome: Launch the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
Enter the Chrome Flags URL: In the address bar at the top, type the following URL and press Enter:arduinoCopy codechrome://flags
Access the Chrome Flags page: After pressing Enter, you will be taken to the Chrome Flags page, which lists various experimental features and settings.
Browse and search for flags: You can scroll through the list to explore available flags, or you can use the search bar at the top to find specific flags by name or keyword.
Enable or disable flags: Each flag has a dropdown menu next to it, allowing you to choose from options like “Default,” “Enabled,” or “Disabled.” To activate a flag, select “Enabled.” To deactivate it, choose “Disabled.”
Relaunch Chrome: After enabling or disabling flags, you will usually need to relaunch Google Chrome for the changes to take effect. A button prompting you to relaunch the browser will appear at the bottom of the Chrome Flags page.
Confirm changes: Once you relaunch Chrome, the selected flags will be active, and you can start using the experimental features or settings you’ve enabled.

Remember that Chrome Flags are experimental and can sometimes impact browser stability or performance. Be cautious and only enable flags that you understand and believe will enhance your browsing experience. If you encounter any issues, you can return to the Chrome Flags page and revert the flags to their default settings or disable them.

Here are the steps in more detail:

Open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar.
The Chrome flags page will open.
You can search for specific flags by typing a keyword in the search bar.
To browse through the list of available flags, click the Categories tab.
To enable a flag, click the Default button and then select Enabled.
Click Relaunch to apply the changes.

Here are some things to keep in mind when enabling Chrome flags:

Only enable flags that you understand and are willing to test.
Back up your Chrome settings before enabling any flags.
Report any problems you encounter to the Chrome team.

Here are some examples of Chrome flags:

#enable-tab-grid-layout: Enables a new tab layout that displays tabs in a grid.
#enable-reader-mode-on-all-pages: Enables Reader mode on all pages, even those that do not support it.
#enable-experimental-web-platform-features: Enables experimental Web Platform features.

What about Chrome settings

“Chrome Flags settings” refer to the configuration and customization options available in the Google Chrome web browser through the Chrome Flags experimental features page. These settings allow users to modify various aspects of their browsing experience and access advanced features that are still in the testing or development phase. Here’s an introduction to Chrome Flags settings:

Accessing Chrome Flags Settings:

Open Google Chrome on your computer.
In the address bar at the top of the browser, type the following URL and press Enter: chrome://flags
You will be directed to the Chrome Flags settings page, where you can explore and modify experimental features.

Customization and Features:

On the Chrome Flags page, you’ll find a list of experimental features, each represented by a flag.
These flags may cover a wide range of browser functionalities, including performance improvements, security enhancements, UI changes, and more.

Enabling and Disabling Flags:

Next to each flag, there’s a dropdown menu that allows you to select different options like “Default,” “Enabled,” or “Disabled.”
To activate a particular feature or setting, select “Enabled.” To turn it off, choose “Disabled.”

Relaunching Chrome:

After enabling or disabling flags, you’ll often need to relaunch Google Chrome for the changes to take effect. A button to relaunch the browser usually appears at the bottom of the Chrome Flags page.

Use with Caution:

It’s essential to exercise caution when adjusting Chrome Flags settings. These features are experimental and may impact the stability or functionality of your browser.
Only enable flags that you understand and believe will enhance your browsing experience or serve a specific purpose.
Keep in mind that not all flags may be suitable for everyday use, and some might cause issues or conflicts with other features.
Stay informed about updates and changes made by Google to ensure your browser remains stable and secure.

In summary, Chrome Flags settings offer advanced customisation options for Google Chrome, allowing users to explore experimental features and tailor their browsing experience to their preferences. However, it’s important to use them with care and be prepared to revert changes if unexpected problems arise.

Here are some things to keep in mind when configuring Chrome flags:

Only configure flags that you understand and are willing to test.
Back up your Chrome settings before configuring any flags.
Report any problems you encounter to the Chrome team.

Here are some examples of Chrome flags:

#enable-tab-grid-layout: Enables a new tab layout that displays tabs in a grid.
#enable-reader-mode-on-all-pages: Enables Reader mode on all pages, even those that do not support it.
#enable-experimental-web-platform-features: Enables experimental Web Platform features.

For more information about Chrome flags, visit the Chrome flags documentation.

Here are some additional tips for configuring Chrome flags:

Use the search bar to quickly find the flag you are looking for.
Click the Categories tab to browse through the list of available flags by category.
Use the Default button to reset a flag to its original setting.
Click Relaunch to apply your changes.

Here are some examples of how to configure Chrome flags:

To enable the new tab grid layout, set the #enable-tab-grid-layout flag to Enabled.
To disable Reader mode on all pages, set the #enable-reader-mode-on-all-pages flag to Disabled.
To enable experimental Web Platform features, set the #enable-experimental-web-platform-features flag to Enabled.

Chrome Flags to avoid

While Chrome Flags can enhance your browsing experience by enabling experimental features, there are some flags that you should generally avoid, as they may lead to instability, compatibility issues, or other undesirable consequences. Here are a few Chrome Flags to avoid:

Experimental QUIC protocol: This flag enables the QUIC protocol, which can sometimes lead to network issues and incompatibility with certain websites.
Enable Bluetooth: Enabling this flag might not be necessary for most users and could potentially expose your device to security risks if not used carefully.
Parallel downloading: While this flag can improve download speeds, it may also lead to incomplete downloads or corrupt files, so it’s best to leave it disabled unless you have a specific need for it.
Smooth Scrolling: While it can provide a smoother scrolling experience, this flag may cause performance issues on some systems, especially if you have a lot of tabs open.
Experimental Web Platform Features: Enabling this flag may expose you to incomplete or unstable web features, potentially leading to compatibility issues or crashes.
Enable QUIC on WiFi: Similar to the first flag mentioned, this may cause network-related problems and should be used cautiously.
Experimental JavaScript Features: Enabling this flag may introduce experimental JavaScript features that could break certain websites or web applications.
Disable Hyperlink Auditing: While this may improve privacy, it can also break some websites and features, so it’s best left at the default setting.
Enable Experimental Canvas Features: Enabling this flag may lead to issues with the rendering of web content and should be used sparingly.
Force Dark Mode for Web Contents: Enabling this flag may make some websites look strange or unreadable in dark mode, so it’s best to use the browser’s built-in dark mode feature instead.

Please note that the effects of these flags may vary depending on your specific system and the websites you visit. It’s important to understand the potential consequences of enabling any Chrome flags and to use them with caution, especially those marked as “experimental”. If you experience problems after enabling a flag, you can always return to the Chrome Flags settings page and disable it to return to the default configuration.

here are a number of Chrome flags that you should avoid enabling, as they are known to cause instability or security issues. Here are a few examples:

#enable-parallel-downloading: This flag can cause crashes and performance issues.
#enable-zero-copy: This flag can cause data corruption and security vulnerabilities.
#enable-site-per-process: This flag can cause crashes and memory leaks.
#enable-quic-dark-mode: This flag can cause rendering issues and performance problems.
#enable-experimental-canvas-features: This flag can cause crashes and security vulnerabilities.

If you are unsure whether or not a Chrome flag is safe to enable, it is best to err on the side of caution and leave it disabled.

In addition to the flags listed above, you should also avoid enabling any flags that you do not understand or that are marked as “experimental.” It is also important to note that Chrome flags can change at any time, so it is important to regularly review your settings and disable any flags that are no longer needed or supported.

Here are some tips for avoiding problems with Chrome flags:

Only enable flags that you understand and are willing to test.
Back up your Chrome settings before enabling any flags.
Report any problems you encounter to the Chrome team.
Regularly review your Chrome flags settings and disable any flags that are no longer needed or supported.

If you are experiencing problems with Chrome flags, you can try disabling all flags or resetting your Chrome settings to their defaults.

What exactly is a Chrome Flag?

A Chrome Flag, also known as a Chrome experimental flag or feature flag, is a hidden and advanced configuration setting in the Google Chrome web browser. These flags allow users to access and enable experimental features, settings, and options that are still in the development or testing phase. They provide users with the ability to customize and enhance their browsing experience in ways that may not be available through standard browser settings.

Here’s more about what Chrome Flags are and their key characteristics:

Experimental Features: Chrome Flags give users access to features and functionalities that are not yet officially released or enabled by default in the Chrome browser. These features are often being tested for performance, stability, and user feedback.
Advanced Customization: Users can enable or disable specific Chrome Flags to tailor their browsing experience to their preferences. These flags cover a wide range of browser capabilities, including performance improvements, user interface changes, security enhancements, and more.
Access via chrome://flags: To access Chrome Flags, users simply need to type “chrome://flags” in the address bar of their Chrome browser and press Enter. This opens the Chrome Flags settings page, where they can browse and modify the available flags.
Caution Required: While Chrome Flags offer advanced customization options, they come with a caveat. Since they are experimental and not fully tested, enabling certain flags can lead to browser instability, compatibility issues with websites, or even security risks. Therefore, users should exercise caution when enabling flags and be prepared to disable them if problems arise.
Regular Updates: The list of available Chrome Flags can change with browser updates. Some flags may be deprecated, while new ones may be introduced. Users should stay informed about these changes to ensure a smooth browsing experience.
Not for Casual Users: Chrome Flags are primarily intended for advanced users, developers, and enthusiasts who are willing to explore and experiment with new browser features. Casual users may not need to access or modify these settings.

Chrome Flags are hidden experimental settings in the Google Chrome browser that allow users to access and enable advanced features and customisations. While they can improve the browsing experience, users should exercise caution when using them and be aware of the potential risks associated with enabling experimental features.

Where are the Chrome Flags?

Chrome flags are located on a hidden page called the Chrome flags page. To access the Chrome flags page, open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar. This will open a page where you can browse through a list of all available flags.

You can also access the Chrome flags page by going to the following menu:

Chrome > Settings > Advanced > About Chrome

Under the About Chrome section, click the Flags link. This will open the Chrome flags page.

To access Chrome Flags in the Google Chrome web browser, follow these steps:

Open Google Chrome: Launch the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
Type the Chrome Flags URL: In the address bar at the top of the browser, type the following URL and press Enter:arduinoCopy codechrome://flags
Access the Chrome Flags page: After pressing Enter, you will be directed to the Chrome Flags settings page.
Browse and search for flags: On the Chrome Flags page, you’ll find a list of experimental features and settings, each represented by a flag. You can scroll through the list to explore available flags or use the search bar at the top to find specific flags by name or keyword.
Enable or disable flags: Next to each flag, there’s a dropdown menu that allows you to select different options like “Default,” “Enabled,” or “Disabled.” To activate a flag, select “Enabled.” To deactivate it, choose “Disabled.”
Relaunch Chrome: After enabling or disabling flags, you will often need to relaunch Google Chrome for the changes to take effect. A button prompting you to relaunch the browser typically appears at the bottom of the Chrome Flags page.
Confirm changes: Once you relaunch Chrome, the selected flags will be active, and you can start using the experimental features or settings you’ve enabled.

It’s important to note that Chrome Flags are experimental and may impact the stability or performance of your browser. Therefore, it’s advisable to use them with caution and only enable flags that you understand and believe will benefit your browsing experience. If you encounter any issues, you can return to the Chrome Flags page and revert the flags to their default settings or disable them.

How do I find which Flags are enabled?

To check which Chrome Flags are currently enabled in the Google Chrome web browser, you can follow these steps:

Open Google Chrome: Launch Google Chrome on your computer.
Type the Chrome Flags URL: In the address bar at the top of the browser, type the following URL and press Enter:arduinoCopy codechrome://flags
Access the Chrome Flags page: You will be directed to the Chrome Flags settings page.
Review enabled flags: On the Chrome Flags page, flags that are currently enabled will be highlighted with a blue “Enabled” label or a similar indicator next to each flag. You can scroll through the list to see which flags have been activated.
Search for specific flags: If you are looking for a particular flag or want to confirm the status of a specific one, you can use the search bar at the top of the Chrome Flags page. Enter the name or keyword related to the flag you’re interested in, and it will be highlighted if enabled.
Disabled flags: Flags that are not enabled will either display “Default” or “Disabled” in the dropdown menu next to them, indicating that they are using the default browser settings.
Relaunch Chrome: Keep in mind that some flag changes may require you to relaunch Google Chrome for the modifications to take effect.

By following these steps, you can easily check which Chrome Flags are currently enabled in your Chrome browser and review their status. Remember to use Chrome Flags cautiously, as enabling certain flags may affect browser stability and performance. If you encounter any issues, you can always return to the Chrome Flags page to disable or reset flags to their default settings.

There are two ways to find which Chrome flags are enabled:

Check the Chrome flags page: Open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar. This will open the Chrome flags page, where you can see a list of all available flags, including their current status (Enabled or Disabled).
Check the Chrome command line: Open a command prompt and type the following command:

chrome --list-flags

This will display a list of all enabled Chrome flags in the command prompt.

You can also search for specific flags on the Chrome flags page or in the command line output.

Here are some examples:

To search for the flag #enable-tab-grid-layout on the Chrome flags page, type tab grid layout in the search bar at the top of the page.
To search for the flag #enable-tab-grid-layout in the command line output, type the following command:

grep "enable-tab-grid-layout" chrome://flags

This will return a line of output that shows the status of the flag, such as:

Enable Tab Grid Layout --enable-tab-grid-layout Enabled

You can use the same method to search for other Chrome flags.

How do I reset Flags to default?

You can reset Chrome Flags to their default settings in the Google Chrome web browser by following these steps:

Open Google Chrome: Launch Google Chrome on your computer.
Type the Chrome Flags URL: In the address bar at the top of the browser, type the following URL and press Enter:arduinoCopy codechrome://flags
Access the Chrome Flags page: You will be directed to the Chrome Flags settings page.
Locate the flag to reset: Scroll through the list of flags or use the search bar at the top to find the specific flag you want to reset to its default setting.
Reset the flag: Next to the flag’s name, you’ll see a dropdown menu with options like “Default,” “Enabled,” or “Disabled.” To reset the flag to its default setting, select “Default” from the dropdown menu.
Confirm the reset: After selecting “Default,” a prompt may appear at the bottom of the Chrome Flags page, asking if you want to relaunch the browser to apply the changes. Click the “Relaunch” button to restart Google Chrome.
Relaunch Chrome: Once you’ve relaunched the browser, the selected flag will be reset to its default setting, and any changes you made to that flag will be undone.

Repeat these steps for any other flags you wish to reset to their default configurations. It’s important to note that resetting a flag to its default setting will remove any customizations or changes you made to that flag, reverting it to the browser’s standard behavior.

Resetting flags to default can be useful if you experience issues or instability after enabling certain experimental features. It allows you to return your browser to a more stable state.

There are two ways to reset Chrome flags to default:

Reset individual flags: To reset individual flags, open the Chrome flags page (chrome://flags) and click the Default button next to each flag.
Reset all flags: To reset all flags to their defaults, click the Reset all to default button at the top of the Chrome flags page.

Warning: Resetting all flags to their defaults will disable all of the experimental features that you have enabled.

Here are the steps in more detail:

To reset individual flags:

Open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar.
Find the flag that you want to reset.
Click the Default button next to the flag.
Click Relaunch to apply the changes.

To reset all flags to their defaults:

Open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar.
Click the Reset all to default button at the top of the page.
Click Relaunch to apply the changes.

Please note that resetting Chrome flags to their defaults may cause some features to stop working. If you are experiencing problems after resetting Chrome flags, you can try enabling them one by one to see which flag is causing the problem.

How do I get into Chrome flags?

To get into Chrome flags, open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar. This will open the Chrome flags page, where you can browse through a list of all available flags.

How do I enable dark mode on Chrome for all websites?

To enable dark mode on Chrome for all websites, go to the Chrome flags page and search for #enable-force-dark-mode. Click the dropdown menu next to the flag and select Enabled. Then, click the Relaunch button to restart Chrome.

How do I turn on dark mode in Chrome flags?

To turn on dark mode in Chrome flags, go to the Chrome flags page and search for #enable-dark-mode. Click the dropdown menu next to the flag and select Enabled. Then, click the Relaunch button to restart Chrome.

How do I disable parallel downloading in Chrome flags?

To disable parallel downloading in Chrome flags, go to the Chrome flags page and search for #enable-parallel-downloading. Click the dropdown menu next to the flag and select Disabled. Then, click the Relaunch button to restart Chrome.

Important: Chrome flags are experimental features and may not work as expected. It is important to back up your Chrome settings before enabling any flags, so that you can restore them if necessary.

The Ultimate Guide: 10 Chrome Flags You Should Enable to Improve Your Browsing Experience and Unlock Hidden Features in Chrome