Android Users Can Finally Browse in Chrome
Until recently, the only way to open a link in the mobile Chrome browser was to leave the current page or move the link to a separate tab. None of the scenarios are perfect, especially if you just want to briefly skim a link before opening it. Fortunately, Chrome now finally allows you to view hyperlinks on Android.
Google recently added an option to preview the page via a server update. It’s enabled by default for all devices, so you don’t have to dig into settings or install any additional fixes to get it working, but some users may not be aware that it is even possible to preview links as Google added this feature so suddenly.
To view the link in the Chrome Android app:
- Press and hold a hyperlink to open a pop-up menu
- Select “Page Preview”.
- A smaller tab opens above the current page. You can scroll through the preview and view its contents as usual without leaving the page you are already on.
- If you want to load the previewed page in a separate tab, tap the arrow icon in the upper right corner. Click the X to close the preview window.
Link Preview is a small but useful add-on for Chrome that serves multiple purposes, letting you spot pranks or skim through an article to see what you’re looking for.
However, do not preview pages unless you are sure it is a safe website. Previewing a link loads the entire content of the page, including all images, videos, and code used by the page. This includes any NSFW content you can avoid, but there are more serious threats than adult websites to worry about.
Phishing and malware often use fake URLs to steal personal information or get malware onto your devices, and previewing these pages can be just as dangerous as opening them directly. The best option is to simply not touch suspicious links. However, you can check the link in Chrome without opening or previewing the page: just press and hold the link to open the pop-up menu. The link URL appears at the top of the menu. If you don’t recognize the URL or it’s clearly fake, don’t click on it.
[ 9to5Google ]