Google Chrome 150 for Android Introduces Dedicated Back Button

Menu Layout Shift Improves Navigation on Large-Screen and Gesture-Based Phones

Chrome 150 for Android is out now, and it comes with a notable change to the layout. It adds a dedicated on-screen Back button right in the browser UI. It offers an alternative means of navigation that is a huge help for those on big foldables, tablets, or phones that use full-screen system gestures.

Until this update, Android users could only swipe back through the system or use hardware buttons to jump back to a previous page, with the browser’s native overflow menu only showing a forward arrow. Google has aligned Chrome’s mobile interface by positioning the back and forward arrows next to each other in the top row of the three-dot menu, following a design layout that’s been standard for a while.

Reorganised Shortcuts and Muscle Memory Breakage

Google has rearranged some of the key elements in the three-dot overflow menu to make room for the new Back arrow, which may temporarily disrupt the muscle memory of habitual users.

Info Button Removed: The traditional 'i' (Info) icon has been removed entirely from the top bar.

New Site Controls Hub: Previously found through the Info button, deep site settings, security statuses and cookie preferences have been moved to a new “Site controls” section further down the scrollable menu list.

Icon Realignment: The Bookmark star and the Downloads button have each shifted one position to the right as the navigation row has grown larger.

More Clear App Installation Labels

In addition to pure layout shifts, the Chrome 150 update also tidies up web application interaction with the Android home screen. The time-honoured option “Add to Home screen” has been officially renamed “Install and create shortcut”.

The wording change is to better reflect what is happening under the hood depending on the site you are visiting. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) install cleanly to your device like native software, while regular websites will keep on making old-fashioned home screen URL shortcuts. The update is being rolled out gradually via the Play Store.