Google Chrome User Guide for Mobile
Tags: webdev, browser, google, mobile
Published: 2023-04-01 17:47:31


##**Table of Contents**

- 
An introduction to Google and Google Chrome
- 
What is Google Chrome?
- 
Why Chrome?
- 
Popular features of Google Chrome
- 
How to install Google Chrome on Mobile
- 
How to use Google Chrome

- 
Problems encountered using Google Chrome
- 
Popular alternatives to Google Chrome

##**Introduction**

Google is a technology giant. It is an internationalcompany focused on computer software, consumer gadgets and search engine technology.

It has a variety of popular products used on android operating systems, such as Google Play, Google Music, Gmail, and so on.

Google Chrome was created out of an open-source project called [Chromium] (https://www.chromium.org/chromium-projects/) which was developed by the company. It was released as an official product on December 11th, 2008.

This is a simple guide to Google Chrome and how to install it on your mobile phone. It explores the meaning of Google Chrome, some of its features, installation and a quick guide on how to use it. 



##**What is Google Chrome?**

![Google Chrome Log](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/p05247kky6kqowz8etgk.jpeg)

Chrome is a free web browser used to access Web pages on the Internet. It runs Web-based applications (applications that can be only accessed over a network connection, instead of existing in your device's storage). 

It can be accessed on different devices like a personal computer, a tablet or a mobile phone. This is why it is referred to as a [cross-platform browser](https://www.techopedia.com/definition/5346/cross-browser#:~:text=Cross%2Dbrowser%20refers%20to%20the,that%20provide%20its%20required%20features.) . 

It was released initially on Microsoft Windows and presently has models for other operating systems—ChromeOS, macOS, Linux, IOS and Android. Google Chrome is now the default browser for all android devices. 

##**Why Chrome?**

There are many Web browsers available for download on the Internet. Google Chrome, however, had the [highest global market share](https://www.oberlo.in/statistics/browser-market-share#:~:text=As%20of%20November%202022%2C%20Google's,Chrome%20to%20browse%20the%20internet.) in November 2022. Here's why Google Chrome should be your top choice: 

- 
It can [sync](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hellotech.com/guide/for/how-to-sync-chrome/amp) your history, open tabs and other settings on your mobile device to your other devices. 
- 
The browser saves what you search. Therefore, it can automatically submit requests without you having to input fully something you had searched previously. 

- 
Through Chrome, you can use other workspace tools created by Google. Tools like Gmail and Google Docs.

- 
The unique cross-platform feature allows you to use it on multiple devices. 

##**Popular Features of Chrome**

- 
**The Omnibox**: Chrome combines the address bar for URLs (uniform resource locator) with the search bar, giving you more space and more functionality. You can highlight a text on a web page and search directly. The Omnibox also allows you to see your recent search history when you tap the search bar. 

- 
**Syncing across devices**: As discussed in the previous header, Chrome allows you to access your passwords, history and other data on your various devices through syncing. You only have to turn on sync on your chrome browser. 

- 
**Incognito mode**: Incognito mode allows you to browse without leaving a trace. Chrome will not save any of your browsing data. 

- 
**Minimalist Interface**: Chrome's interface is light, with few buttons and fewer tools that take up less space, allowing you to view content. It has inspired the UI of many other web browsers. 

##**How to Install Google Chrome on Your Mobile Phone**
The Chrome application is free on all devices, including mobile. Follow these steps to install it:
1. Tap [Chrome] (https://www.google.com/chrome/). 

![Chrome website](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/h4q63k1auzsrwmp5zvqa.jpg)

2. Tap '**Download Chrome**'.

3. Tap **Install**

![Install on appstore](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/g896tb73uiuhqg9h1hnd.jpg)

4. Tap **Accept**. 

![Chrome application](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wq33crq7nqquqgjya3cw.jpg)



##**How to Use Google Chrome**
1.Tap the search/URL bar. 

![Chrome search ba](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rwkt3493cav35a8zc8rs.jpg)


2.Type in what you want to search and send. Using the Appwrite website as an instance:

![Appwrite in the search bar](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2lfowj9cm6p3e83lcfgt.jpg)


3.Tap on the Appwrite website shown in the results. 

![Appwrite search results](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/tcutwzzf1p1wxgoo9nml.jpg)


4.Wait for the web page to load.

![Appwrite website homepage](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xqkkt4ekl9qyytnyize2.jpg)




##**Problems encountered using Google Chrome**

- 
Chrome does not offer many customization options for mobile, unlike the PC version where you can download themes from the Chrome web store. 

- 
It is considered a lightweight app but it takes up a lot of memory which affects other running applications on your device. 

- 
Chrome keeps your data secure from other websites, but still has access to most of it which is a security risk.
 
##**Popular Alternatives of Google Chrome**

- 
[Mozilla Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browsers/mobile/android/) :

![firefox](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/sr83dsosrvhc2mcm9hsc.png)

Mozilla Firefox is an open-source web browser developed by Mozilla Foundation and Mozilla Corporation. 

Firefox is a good alternative, as whatever chrome can do, it can do as well. It has an inbuilt tracker that protects you and your information from other websites. It also offers better battery life management, as it does not slow down your device if you leave multiple tabs open.


- 
[Brave](https://brave.com/download/) :


![brave browser logo](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/oo3y8uu6jmdn9si4003v.png)

It is an open-source browser that allows users to access the Internet and Web applications. It is one of the newer entry browsers as it made its first release in January, 2016. It was built using Chromium and by Brandon Eich, the creator of Java script and former co-founder of Mozilla. 

A unique feature of Brave is that it has a special system of digital advertisement, which uses BAT (Basic Attention Token). BAT is used as an exchange token between users of the platform. 

Advertisers buy BAT in order to showcase their ads on the browser and users who view their ads are paid a percentage of the tokens. BAT can be sold on crypto exchange for cash.

- 
[Opera](https://www.opera.com/browsers/opera):

![Opera browser logo](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/eb5sahsci2iskagr5eb4.png)

Opera is a multi-platform web browser developed by Opera company and released on 10 April, 1995. It has its own VPN (virtual private network) that allows you to browse securely. It also has a turbo feature that reduces the size of web pages and allows for faster loading speed in cases of slow Internet connection.


##**Conclusion** 
Google Chrome has many great features,its ability to sync across multiple devices being my best feature, and the browser is continually updated with current technology trends. It's good to know the features of the browser you are using, as it can maximise your productivity. 

If Google Chrome is not what you're looking for, the alternatives are good enough to try and their download links are shown in the previous header.