[Updated] Want to disable Google Chrome reading list? Here’s how to do it



Here is the gist of the article in video format:

New updates are being added to the bottom of this story.

The original story (published March 16, 2021) is as follows:

The latest iteration of the Google Chrome browser carries version 89 and was merged into a stable branch earlier this month. The update brings many new features.

For the uninitiated, the Profiles module has got a big improvement with the update where every user can now customize their profile with a custom background and play around with different themes and color schemes.

The update also implements support for Webhead, in short an API that allows web applications to access VR.

Google Chrome

And last but not least is the new Google Chrome Reading List feature that allows users to read that content later or save it just for the purpose of archiving.

Previously, people relied on third-party plugins like Pocket for the same purpose, but now seeing Chrome’s own built-in function, it’s pretty cool.

However, to add content to Chrome’s reading list, simply hit the asterisk inside the address bar and then select “Add to Reading List”.

Chrome-reading-list-ss

Such saved sites can then be easily accessed from the left side of Chrome’s bookmark bar as shown in the image above.

This implementation, however, has not gone well with everyone. Many are now complaining that the reading list option consumes more of the space of the bookmark bar – which could otherwise be used to accommodate additional bookmarks.

So, some users are looking for a way to hide it completely.

Chrome-forums-complaint

Source

So this “reading list” just appeared close to my bookmarks and it takes up too much space I need for my bookmarks. I wonder how I can get rid of it.
Source

How to hide – read a list from a bookmark. He was pulling the hack out of me, nowhere to be seen today.
Source

Luckily for you, we managed to put our hands on a simple compromise.

You may know that Google Chrome gives users a great degree of control over its features through flags. And while most of the content under it can be experimental, it can serve a lot better for people looking for a way to customize beyond what Chrome allows on its front-end.

This feature will now help you to completely remove the reading list from the bookmarks bar on Google Chrome. Follow the steps below for immediate results:

Nodh: If you want to know about Google Chrome Reading List on Android, go here.

Google-chrome-reading-list-flag

Click to enlarge

1. Enter chrome: // flags / # read-in the address bar and press enter.
2. Select “Disabled” from the drop-down list next to the Reading List option.
3. Restart Chrome.

Of course, the above series of steps is perfectly valid on any desktop operating system – be it MacOS, Windows or Linux.

Not rather easy? Hopefully, Workround has worked for you. If it really happened, be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Update 1 (March 17)

It is worth noting that as is usually the case in phased rollouts, the reading list feature may not be available to everyone (as it has just begun). The only way to get rid of it at the moment is what we have described above.

However, if you don’t want to go down that path, but Google wants to bring the feature back instead, it’s worth knowing that the rollback will only happen when many users send negative feedback about the feature about the company. So all you can do is send your feedback to the company in response.

Take a look at what a community product expert has recently said about this (translated)

It’s not in my environment
I think it probably applies sequentially or in the form of “delivered as a test to younger people”.

It happens as often as Google, if you want to apply it to everyone at once
We may pre-apply to 5% or 10% of users to see feedback in advance.
Eventually it will all be applied
I think if it is a fatal defect or a big blur, it will often be withdrawn.
(Isn’t there a lot of visible withdrawal?)

I think it is better to send “Jamada” as an opinion
I think it’s good to send feedback and say, “I’m increasingly constrained in the reading list. I want to get rid of it. ”

Update 2 (March 18)

For the naive ones among you, the flag will be shown under experiments unless a feature becomes part of the static update and all devices are pushed. This is why sharing your feedback becomes so important when it comes to testing a feature.

So if you don’t like the read list feature and don’t want to stick with it forever, make sure you share your opinion with the developers. Take a look at how the community production expert explained this:

I’d also like to recommend that if you don’t like this function, send feedback to the Chrome team about what you don’t like, or why you don’t like it:

  • Report a bug or feedback on Chrome – Google Chrome Help
  • It’s very important that you do this, as these comments will be received directly by the Chrome team (they don’t usually go through Spanish forums). Also, it is important because if this function is set to a stable version for everyone, the flag will eventually be removed, and there will be no way to disable the option.

    Here is an example of an expert response:

    For example, what I don’t like is the fact that when I click on a bookmarks star it asks me if I want to save it as a bookmark or I want to save it to the reading list: I prefer that the dialog always Appears, with the option to save in the reading list.

    Update 3 (March 19)

    We’re voting to see if users like the Read List feature. So share your opinion with us by voting below:

    Update 4 (March 20)

    A reader in the comments section shared that for some reason the “# post-read” flag isn’t working for them. The trick was for them to change it to “#read-list”. So only if you are facing this issue, try this way.

    NodhBelow are some of our other articles in this category:

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