With the release of Google Chrome 135, the visible content area in the browser has been expanded to the maximum. The interface now stretches from the top to the bottom edge of the screen, and browser elements become visible only when the user scrolls the page upward.
This change represents a step toward a more immersive browsing experience. When scrolling down, the gesture command panel is displayed directly over the page content, now without a background fill. While this does not result in a significant increase in the visible area for the user, it reflects a shift in how browser UI is integrated with content—an approach already adopted by many progressive app developers.
The background fill for the gesture panel appears only when a site first loads, disappears as the user scrolls down, and reappears when scrolling up. This dynamic is mirrored by the behavior of the browser’s address bar, which also hides and reappears based on user interaction. Though subtle, these refinements create a cleaner interface that prioritizes content visibility.
Image source: developer.chrome.com
Rollout Details and Device Support
Google has already started rolling out the Chrome 135 update via the Play Store. However, the enhanced content area is not yet active in all versions of the browser, notes NIX Solutions. Currently, the feature is only supported on devices with smaller screens, such as smartphones. Support for larger screens, including tablets, is planned for a future update—we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.
It’s important to note that these changes apply only to the gesture navigation panel. Traditional navigation using the three-button layout remains unchanged, though the interface could potentially benefit from similar visual simplification in the future.
This update represents a continued move toward streamlined, content-first design across platforms, aiming to minimize UI distractions while maintaining functional clarity.