[Tip] Enable New “Side Panel” Feature in Google Chrome

This article will help you in activating and enabling a new secret feature called “Side Panel” in Google Chrome web browser.

Newer versions of Google Chrome browser such as version 91 and later come with a hidden feature which has been named as “Side Panel“. This feature allows users to access their bookmarks and reading list pages directly using a vertical sidebar displaying at the right-side of the browser.

Following screenshot shows Side Panel feature live in action in Chrome browser:

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Side_Panel_Vertical_Sidebar_Feature_Google_Chrome_Browser.png

Side Panel works like a sticky or pinned sidebar which always stays on the top. At the moment, only Reading List and Bookmarks are displayed inside the Side Panel but in future, more items will be added to the sidebar. Side Panel also contains a search box on the top to easily find bookmarks or read later pages from the collection.

By default, Side Panel feature is disabled and interested users need to manually activate and enable it by modifying a hidden preference/flag.

Once activated, the Reading List button is automatically removed from the Bookmarks bar and a new Side Panel button starts showing in Chrome toolbar. You can click on the button to show or hide Side Panel.

If you also want to enable and test Side Panel feature in Chrome browser, following steps will help you:

1. Open Google Chrome web browser and type chrome://flags/ in address bar and press Enter. It’ll open the advanced configuration page.

2. Now type panel in the “Search flags” box.

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You’ll get following 2 options:

Side panel
Host some content in a side panel. – Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS
#side-panel

Side panel prototype
Display a prototype of the side panel. – Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS
#side-panel-prototype

3. To activate and enable Side Panel feature in Chrome, select Enabled from the drop-down box for both options.

Activate_Enable_Side_Panel_Feature_Google_Chrome_Browser.png

4. Google Chrome will ask you to restart the browser. Click on “Relaunch now” button to restart Google Chrome.

That’s it. You have successfully activated and enabled Side Panel in Chrome.

Now you can start using Side Panel by clicking on its icon present in Chrome toolbar.

PS: In future, if you decide to disable or remove Side Panel feature, select “Default” option from the drop-down box for above mentioned option and restart the browser.

Also Check:

[Tip] How to Hide or Remove “Apps” and “Reading List” Buttons from Chrome Bookmarks bar

[Tip] How to Disable or Enable “Reading List” Feature in Google Chrome

Published in: Google Chrome

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. How do I hide the “show side panel” button? I’m never going to use this but it takes up space. It would be nice to get rid of the “you” button as well.

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