SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2026, 13:07 PDT
Google began rolling out native vertical tabs to the stable version of desktop Chrome — its standard public release — on Tuesday, alongside a full-page reading mode. The announcement came as the Chrome team promoted Chrome 147 to stable for Windows, Mac and Linux, with the rollout set to continue over the coming days and weeks. 1
The change matters because Chrome still sets the pace for desktop browsing. StatCounter said Chrome held 69.37% of the worldwide desktop browser market in March, far ahead of Microsoft Edge at 12.75%, so even a modest interface change can land across a very large user base. 2
It also narrows a feature gap with rivals. Microsoft says Edge already offers vertical tabs on Windows and Mac, while Mozilla says Firefox added vertical tabs through its sidebar starting in version 136, leaving Google late to a tool many heavy tab users already know. 3
“Today we are beginning to roll out two new features designed to streamline your browser and help you maximize productivity in Chrome,” Alex Tsu and Jess Carpenter, product managers for Chrome, wrote in a blog post. Users can move the tab strip to the left side by right-clicking a Chrome window and turning on the vertical layout, Google said. 1
Google also expanded reading mode, a distraction-free view that strips visual clutter from a page. Instead of opening in a narrow side panel, the feature now takes over the page in a fuller text-focused layout on desktop, according to Google’s support pages and coverage of the rollout. 4
The move is also a step up from recent experimental builds. TechCrunch reported that users had been able to switch on vertical tabs behind a flag in newer Chrome builds, while Chrome Unboxed said the stable rollout removes the need to dig through hidden settings or rely on third-party extensions. 5
Chief Executive Sundar Pichai highlighted the launch on X, telling users to “Try vertical tabs, rolling out now.” The post added backing from the top of the company to a browser update Google had announced earlier that day. 6
But the rollout is gradual, and Google has not given a precise date for when every desktop user will see the feature. Chrome’s version also stops short of the all-in-one sidebars used by browsers such as Arc, which The Verge said bundle in other tools like bookmarks and the address bar, leaving rivals room to argue their layouts still go further. 7
