Chrome for Android Adds Back Button in Version 150 Top Menu

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 favorite button, the download button, and the reload button. The addition brings Chrome for Android closer to the desktop experience and matches 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 existing controls, including the forward, favorite, download, and reload buttons.

To make space for the back button, several other changes have been made within the same menu. The info button has been moved from the top row to under Site controls in the overflow menu.

The “Add to home screen” feature has been renamed to “Install and create shortcut,” though 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 (swiping from the edge of the screen) or the Android navigation bar, for going back.

Users wanting a dedicated back button had no in-browser option 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 aligns more with the desktop version of Chrome.

For those already using gesture navigation or the Android back button, there is no need to change their current workflow. The new button is an extra choice rather than a replacement for existing navigation methods.

How to Get the Update and Use the Back Button

For users wanting to install Chrome 150 with the back button:

1. Open the Google Play Store on an Android device, search for Chrome, and tap Update if the option appears.
2. Alternatively, check that automatic updates are enabled in the Play Store settings to ensure that the version 150 update is installed as part of the normal rollout.
3. To verify the installed Chrome version, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, and scroll to About Chrome.

For users adapting 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, which was previously accessed via the info button, tap Site controls in the overflow 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 back button without any change to their workflow.

Availability and Rollout on Android

Chrome 150 for Android is now being gradually rolled out through the Google Play Store. The update is phased, so not all devices will get it right away. Users eager to update can manually check for newer versions in the Play Store.

Google has not announced any changes to the Chrome 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 on the standard Chrome release cycle.