The latest version of Google Chrome, Chrome 150, is finally rolling out to Android devices, bringing with it one of the browser’s strangest omissions: a dedicated back button. This feature has been available on Google Chrome for iOS for a while now, but the release of Google Chrome 150 will mark the first time it will debut on Android devices. For years, users have been able to take advantage of Chrome’s Next button, located in the top row of the mobile browser’s overflow menu. But if you want to go back, you still need to use your phone’s built-in back button or associated on-screen gestures. This lack of basic browsing functionality could have been a reason to abandon Chrome in favor of other browsers.
Being able to easily navigate web pages is one of the most fundamental elements of a mobile browser. As such, the lack of a dedicated back button in Chrome on Android never made much sense. Fortunately, users will no longer have to worry about this. This change is small, but it’s worth being aware of, especially since it’s taken so long despite Google constantly adding new features to Chrome. The Previous button is now located directly next to the Next button, meaning the Info button has been moved for easier navigation. You can still use gesture-based movement in web pages, but if you prefer to use a dedicated button instead, you should be able to do so once the update arrives on your device.
Chrome 150 also changes how you add to your Home screen
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While the addition of the back button is certainly a big deal for Chrome users, Google Chrome 150 also brought other changes, including how you save to your home screen. This feature is exceptionally useful for quickly accessing websites you use often. The “Add to Home Screen” option is now “Install and Create Shortcut.” This can be found by opening the overflow menu (the three vertical dots next to the URL bar) and then scrolling down.
Once you tap “Install and Create Shortcut,” you will need to name your new shortcut. After that, tap “Add”, then the site will be added as an icon on your phone’s home screen. This update initially started rolling out in late June 2026, but the Google Play Store didn’t receive the update until July 8. Checking for Google Chrome updates will verify that you have the latest version, so you can start using the back button and updated shortcut option. If it doesn’t appear, you may need to wait for Google to flip the server side of the switch.
