How to Use Chrome Flags

Flags, a rarely used side of web browsers like Chrome, can be extremely useful to make your browser faster, safer, more usable, and more personalized. Despite very few people knowing they exist, they can massively improve your experience.

All that is needed for this Instructable is a computer with your choice of web browser: Chrome, Brave, etc. Here is a list of all web browsers. Some will not have flags: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_web_browsers

To get into flags, go into the search bar and enter the name of your browser followed by ://flags/ This is the URL for most browsers. For example, in Chrome you would enter chrome://flags/ Please note that as soon as you are in flags, you have an extreme amount of control over your browser. The Flags are experimental features, and some may have bugs that could render a browser useless. Most are safe, but proceed at your own risk. I am not responsible for any loss of data, damage to your computer, or anything that may result from using flags.

to use flags, first have an idea of what you want to do. once you have a plan and are in flags, use the search bar in the flags page to find it. The type of searching used finds every flag that contains what you are entering in the title or description, so if nothing shows up at first, try all sorts of synonyms, general terms, or search in another tab to see if a flag for what you are doing exists.

Now that you have found a flag, click on the dropdown and select the one you want. Some flags have two options, while others may have dozens. If you don't know what an option means, first look up what it means before you try it. Remember, these are experimental and could do something you don't want to.

After you change a flag, there will be a popup in the bottom that says that you must relaunch for changes to happen. Click the button in the popup that says relaunch, and wait for the browser to reload. Some flags result in huge, noticeable changes, while others are not really noticeable and only do things on the computer side of things, while others still do nearly nothing for the interface and computer. Keep in mind that flags are very persistent, and apply across all users of the browser on that device.

Sometimes, a flag may not have done what you wanted it to. To change it back, go back to flags, and find the one that you changed back. Most flags are default by default, so change it back to that.

Some of my favourite flags are:

1. Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents

This changes white to a dark grey, which is much nicer on your eyes and electricity bill.

1. GPU Rasterization

This uses your graphics card for loading web pages, which can speed up load time if you have a powerful GPU.

1. QUIC Protocol

Is more experimental and risky, but can speed up load times by optimizing the process of connection.