Google has updated Chrome with a lot of new changes, including the new Material Design UI, which the company has been adopting throughout its services. This means that users no longer have resource to workarounds to enable new flat user-interface.
However, while the new changes are welcome additions to Chrome, the new Material Design experience may not be for everyone. Fortunately, the web browser allows you to disable and go back to the old user-interface — if that’s what you prefer.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to disable Material Design on Chrome, while going back to the old design on Windows 10, Mac, and even on Linux and Chrome OS.
How to disable Material Design on Chrome
To disable Chrome’s Material Design, do the following:
-
Open Chrome.
-
On the address bar type Chrome://flags, and press Enter.
-
Scroll down and find Material design in the browser’s top chrome, and select Non-material.
-
Click Relaunch Now to complete the process.
That’s all there is to it.
Google Chrome officially introduces Material Design starting version 53. Among other changes, the web browser brings improvements to handle high-DPI displays, new icons and animations, new search box, and a new dark theme form the incognito tab.
The company claims significant improvements on battery life. Around an additional 2 hours on Windows 10 and 33 percent reduction of battery life on Mac.
On the new version of Chrome, you can also choose between two layouts: one optimized for mouse and keyboard, and a hybrid layout with space-out elements, which comes enabled by default on touch-enabled devices.
Are you rolling back to the non-material UI on Chrome? Tell us in the comments below.
Update, December 16, 2016: Chrome has now gone Material Design completely and the option to disable Material design is no longer available. The only way to get the old user interface is to find and install an older version of the browser. However, be aware that installing an old version can be a security risk.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].