Chrome for Android Gets Easier, Redesigned Reading Mode

• Show Reading mode is moving to the three-dot menu for manual activation.
• New bottom-sheet Reading mode keeps the Omnibox and uses Material 3 styling.
• Customization includes fonts (Sans/Serif/Mono), text size up to 250%, and Light/Sepia/Dark backgrounds.
• Feature is appearing in Chrome 143 stable on some devices; enable via chrome://flags/#reader-mode-improvements.

What’s changing in Chrome’s Reading mode

Google is rolling out a redesigned Reading mode for Chrome on Android that’s easier to trigger and more consistent. Rather than relying on an intermittently shown toolbar button, a new “Show Reading mode” item appears in the overflow (three-dot) menu.

Why the redesign matters

The new activation method fixes an inconsistency where Reading mode didn’t appear on all articles that users expected. Manual activation gives users control while preserving an easy exit back to the full page.

User interface and customization

The redesigned Reading mode opens a bottom sheet that retains the Omnibox instead of taking over the entire screen. The sheet leverages Material 3 expressive containers and shape-morphing for a modern, cohesive look.

Reading controls

The bottom sheet exposes the main reader settings: font family (Sans serif, Serif, Mono), text size (scalable up to 250%), and background color (Light, Sepia, Dark). Preferences are preserved across pages so your chosen view persists as you move between articles.

Quick exit and accessibility

While the address-bar shortcut that previously appeared on some devices is being removed in favor of the menu option, Chrome still provides a quick exit control so users can return to the original page instantly. The controls also complement Chrome’s existing "Listen to this page" feature in the overflow menu.

Availability and how to try it now

The redesign is currently surfacing on a subset of Android devices running Chrome 143 in the stable channel. Google has not completed a wide rollout yet.

Enable via flags

If you don’t see the new experience, you can manually enable the experimental reader improvements at chrome://flags/#reader-mode-improvements. Expect the change to reach more users over the coming weeks as Google expands the rollout.

Bottom line

Chrome’s updated Reading mode focuses on consistency and usability: a dependable manual trigger, a less intrusive interface that keeps the Omnibox visible, and familiar customization options saved across pages. It’s a small but practical refinement for frequent readers on Android.