What are Chrome Flags or Experiments?

Chrome Flags also called Experiments are the experimental features that are provided by the Chrome browser but are not a part of the default chrome experience. Anyone can use them by following some simple steps and transform their chrome browsing experience. 
Some flags eventually become a part of the default public release once they are tried and tested completely. For example, the Tab Groups feature was first introduced as a Chrome flag before it was rolled out as a default feature.

Things to know before enabling Chrome Flags:

Chrome flags Warning

• Flags are experimental features and are not always stable. Using them might make the browser act weird or crash as they haven’t been tested extensively.
• Flags are not tested thoroughly for security as well. So you might want to use a different browser or turn them off when doing online banking or other sensitive activities.
• To enable a flag, the browser needs to be relaunched. Once the browser is relaunched, all the windows and tabs will reopen while the incognito windows will be lost.

Proceed with Caution 

WARNING: EXPERIMENTAL FEATURES AHEAD! 
By enabling these features, you could lose browser data or compromise your security or privacy. 
Enabled features apply to all users of this browser.

Access Chrome Flags:

Chrome flags can be accessed on this URL on any chrome browser be it Windows, Chromebook, MacOS, iPhones, or Android.

chrome://flags/

This will take you to the home page of Chrome Experiments where all the chrome flags are available along with their status (Default/Enabled/Disabled).

Enable a chrome flag:

Let us consider the chrome flag Enable Tab Search. 

There are two ways to access it:

• Search with the name in the search box, or
  

Search for a flag

• Go to the flag tag. For e.g. chrome://flags/#enable-tab-search
  

URL for a flag

Then just enable it and relaunch the browser. 

Enable a flag

You can now see the Search Tabs icon on the right side of the title bar. With just a few clicks you can enable a very useful feature.

Reset to Default: 

Individual flags can be reset similarly by changing their state to Default or Disabled. The Reset all button will bring everything back to the default state. In either case, chrome needs to be relaunched to apply the changes.

Here is a link to a list of some chrome flags mentioned on the Google Chrome Github page.

My Personal Notes arrow_drop_up

Save