If you are someone who likes a clean, distraction-free “New Tab” page in your browser, the latest Chrome update might be testing your patience. Since the release of the 148 update, a wave of users has reported a weird bug where Google Chrome’s bookmarks bar simply refuses to stay hidden.
Your bookmarks bar refuses to stay hidden in Google Chrome 148
Typically, hiding your bookmarks is a simple task. You can use the classic Ctrl+Shift+B (or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac) shortcut or toggle the option in the settings menu. However, as reported by users on Reddit and Google’s support pages (spotted by PiunikaWeb), those controls aren’t working as expected in the new version. Even if you have zero bookmarks saved, an empty bar still occupies the top of the screen every time you open a new tab.
It’s noteworthy that the bar correctly disappears once you navigate to a specific website. Still, its constant presence on the home screen has become a source of frustration for those who prefer a minimal aesthetic.
Trying to find a fix
The issue appears to be a regression bug—a case where a new update accidentally breaks a feature that was working perfectly before. Interestingly, even advanced users who have tried disabling internal “flags” to simplify the interface have found no success.
If this glitch is driving you a bit crazy, there are a few temporary workarounds circulating in the community. Some users recommend installing an extension like Tabliss or Infinity New Tab, which replaces the default Chrome home page with their own customizable designs. You can also dump all your bookmarks into a single folder. At least that keeps the bar mostly empty and less cluttered.
What comes next?
While Google has not officially acknowledged the bug yet, the volume of reports suggests that a “silent” patch is likely in the works. Downgrading to version 147 is not generally recommended because older versions of the browser can leave your system vulnerable to security risks.
For now, the best bet is to be patient and keep an eye on your “About Google Chrome” menu for a small incremental update. Hopefully Google will have a fix for this sooner than later.
The post Chrome 148 is Forcing Bookmarks on Your New Tabs—Whether You Want It or Not appeared first on Android Headlines.
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