Chrome on Android just became more desktop-like with this long-awaited feature
Source: Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google is rolling out pinned tabs to Chrome for Android.
- Pinned tabs stay fixed at the top of the tab grid and can’t be accidentally swiped away.
- A new docked horizontal bar keeps pinned pages accessible even when you scroll through your tabs.
Overview
Google has finally added support for pinned tabs in Chrome for Android, bringing one of the desktop browser’s most useful features to the mobile app. The functionality is available starting with Chrome for Android version 144 and lets users keep important websites pinned to the top of the tab grid for quick access. The feature first surfaced late last year (Android Authority article) and is now rolling out worldwide.
How to Pin a Tab
- Open the tab grid view.
- Long‑press on any tab card.
- Select the new “Pin tab” option that appears just above the Close tab command.
Once pinned, the tab jumps to the front of the grid and stays anchored there.
Visual Changes
- The usual close (✕) icon on pinned tabs is replaced with a pin symbol, reducing the chance of accidentally closing an important tab.
- Pinned tabs cannot be swiped away.
Below is a comparison of the old Chrome for Android tab grid with the new pinned‑tabs layout (image omitted for brevity).
Accessing Pinned Tabs While Scrolling
When you scroll down the tab grid, Chrome displays a docked horizontal bar at the top of the screen that keeps your pinned tabs visible. This strip shows each pinned site’s favicon and page name, allowing you to:
- Smoothly scroll through the pinned tabs.
- Tap any site to open it instantly.
Unpinning or Closing a Pinned Tab
To remove a pinned tab, long‑press the pinned tab card again and choose either “Unpin tab” or “Close tab.”
Availability
If you don’t see the “Pin tab” option yet, ensure you are running Chrome version 144 or later. The rollout may still be gradual for some users.