Chrome is getting more immersive on Android with edge-to-edge content

Chrome on Android is preparing for a small but impactful visual update, moving towards a more immersive, edge-to-edge display. It looks like Google is set to extend web content directly into the gesture navigation bar area. This update, slated for Chrome version 135, should modernize the browser’s appearance and provide a cleaner, more fluid interaction for users.

Currently, Chrome for Android displays the gesture handle against a solid color background within the navigation bar. This creates a distinct separation between the web content and the device’s bottom edge. The upcoming change will see the gesture handle overlay web content as users scroll, effectively “going edge-to-edge.” When the user is not scrolling, and the address bar is visible, the navigation bar will retain its current background.

This alteration is made possible by a new “dynamic bottom bar,” internally referred to as “the chin,” which will be displayed over the gesture navigation bar area. As users scroll down a page, both the Chrome address bar and this dynamic bottom bar will retract, allowing the viewport to expand. This expansion enables web content to extend to the bottom edge of the device, creating a more seamless viewing experience.

This initial step towards a fullscreen experience on “small-screen devices” is set to debut with Chrome version 135, which is scheduled to begin its stable channel rollout on April 1. However, early testing is already underway in previous versions, indicating a thorough development process. Google says this is rolling out via a Chrome Variation, meaning it could show up on versions prior to 135; so be on the lookout!