Photo: In Green / Shutterstock.com
Google is working on bringing back the ability to share tab groups in Chrome on Android, a feature that was removed in 2021. This feature was initially introduced when Google rolled out tab groups in the mobile version of Chrome.
Tab groups have been a popular feature among Chrome users. They allow them to organise their browsing sessions more efficiently by grouping related tabs.
While the initial release of this feature included an option to share these groups with others, Google removed it shortly after. Since then, users have been unable to share tab groups directly from the Chrome app, even through advanced settings or flags.
Recent findings by an X user, who goes by the handle Leopeva64, indicate that Google is revisiting this feature and refining it. Instead of the somewhat buried option in the previous implementation, the new version of tab group sharing will be more accessible and feature a dedicated button within the tab group interface.
Android Authority explains that the new Share button, which will be placed prominently at the top of the tab group, aims to streamline the sharing process.
When users tap on this button, an ‘Invite people’ window appears, allowing them to send invitations to others by entering their email addresses.
Once the invite is accepted, the shared tab group will display an indicator showing the recipient’s profile picture. If no profile picture is available, the first letter of their name will appear in a circle as a placeholder.
This indicator isn’t limited to the tab group interface itself. The main tabs page will also highlight shared tab groups with a pill-shaped marker, ensuring users can easily identify which tab groups are being shared with others.
In addition, Google is also introducing several new management options within the three-dot menu of shared tab groups. These options allow users to manage sharing permissions, review recent activity within the group, close the group, or delete it altogether.
Additionally, users can open or leave the group directly from the tab groups page, giving them greater control over their browsing experience.
While these changes are promising, it’s important to note that tab group sharing is not yet functional in the current Chrome Canary release, Google’s testing platform for upcoming features. This suggests that the feature is still in development and could be modified before it becomes available to the public.
The final version might differ from what is currently being tested.
In the News: WazirX ownership dispute leaves users and crypto assets in limbo
