This article shows how you can enable Chrome's hidden feature "Reading mode" to allow you to consume content without distractions.
Reading mode is a feature built into the Chrome web browser that allows users to consume content on websites in a distraction-free way. This means enabling reading mode will do away with ads, banners, and any unnecessary elements that will take away from the users' reading experience. This feature is awesome especially when you want to focus on the content. In this article, you will learn how to enable and use reading mode in Chrome.
Let's get started.
Enabling reading Mode in Chrome
To use this hidden feature you should have Google version 75 and above installed on your device. Check your Google's verion: chrome://settings/help
Note:
As of `28th of march` google has announced a new `Reader mode` for chrome 114. This feature is different from the one on the hidden flag page.
The first step is to head over to: chrome://flags/ on your chrome browser. You will see all the experimental features that Google is working on.
Search for "reader" on the search bar at the top to reveal relevant search results.
Under Enable Reader Mode click on the more options on the right. It is left on Default . Click on it to reveal more options and choose enabled.
Once enabled is on, a relaunch button should appear at the bottom of the screen. Click on it and Reader mode on Chrome should be enabled.
How to Use Reader Mode on Chrome.
Now that reader mode is enabled on Chrome, let's see how to use it.
Head over to any site that you want to read the contents of. For demonstration purposes, geekbits.io is used in this case.
Notice the book icon appears on the address bar. This is the "Reader mode" icon. Click on it to activate it and the contents of the site will turn into the simplified version with all the fluff removed. When reader mode is turned on, the book icon will appear blue in color.
Fonts customization on reader mode
To use your preferred fonts when using Chrome's reader mode feature, click on the A icon at the top of the screen to open the customization appearance options.
The pop-up on the screen gives you the option to change the font, background color, and size of the text. Pretty basic but that was the point all along. The dropdown menu changes the font family, while the background color is changed by the color options available there. You can change the size of the fonts by using the slider at the bottom.
Disabling Reader mode on Chrome.
Disabling the reader mode is as easy as clicking on the book icon on the address bar to deactivate it.
Conclusion
That is all there is to enabling Reading Mode in the Chrome browser. While you won't need to use the feature all the time, it is good to know that you can do it with just a single button click. If you think the article was helpful, share it with interested parties.
Thanks for reading : )
