A reliable browser that is top of its class
If you’re looking for a new mobile browser, even the most cursory of searches will present Google Chrome for Android as a possibility. The Android version of Google’s incredibly popular browser, it performs exactly as you’d expect. In fact, unless this is your first time using a mobile browser, it’s unlikely to surprise you much, as Chrome seems to have spent the last few years consolidating their browser empire rather than developing anything new and groundbreaking.
The most downloaded browser right now
When Google Chrome was first released, it was billed as a lightening-fast browser that managed to outpace almost every other app on the market. In the intervening years, it has continued to grow in popularity, but in the last few years, it seems to have slowed a little in terms of innovation
In the meantime, other browsers have raced to catch up and the things that first marked Chrome as special are by now fairly average.
Chrome for Android is no exception. Like its desktop-based counterpart, it's light and fast, easy to use, and looks good. It offers everything we've come to expect from a mobile browser from excellent download management, bookmarks, and easy sharing to accessible customization options and intuitive tab management.
We're especially keen on the available on Chrome for Android. Once you're logged in, you'll not only be able to access your saved information (like passwords, history, and bookmarks) across devices, but you'll also be able to access the very tabs you have open on the other device, which is something users very quickly become accustomed to and rely on. It really contributes to a feeling of seamless browsing, which is really what the whole Chrome experience is about.
When it comes to security and privacy, we see one of the areas that Google hasn't quite managed to convince everyone about. While for the casual user the security and privacy options seem complete and reassuring, more demanding users have expressed worry about the amount of data Google can see, and what, exactly, it does with that data. It's fair to point out that Google Chrome isn't the only app that people complain about in this arena, but being one of the biggest and very much in the public eye, it does become an irresistible target for many.
If you're the practical type who likes to troubleshoot their own issues, you'll find a wealth of help resources for Google Chrome for Android, from official help documentation to well-populated forums. If you're the kind of person who prefers to escalate their issues to a real live help person, however, you might be waiting a while. It's notoriously difficult to get to talk to a real, live Google employee, and for Chrome for Android users, it's no exception.
Where can you run this program?
This version of Google Chrome is specifically designed for Android phones. On the Google Chrome homepage, you'll be able to find a version for almost any platform imaginable.
Is there a better alternative?
The million-dollar question. There's certainly a huge number of alternative browsers for Android but whether or not you consider them better is entirely down to taste. Being objective and keeping fear of the Googleverse to one side, Google Chrome for Android is definitely one of the best, if not the best. If you're nervy about Google or worried about your privacy, however, you'll probably feel that one of Chrome's close competitors is a much better bet.
When it comes to security and privacy, we see one of the areas that Google hasn't quite managed to convince everyone about. While for the casual user the security and privacy options seem complete and reassuring, more demanding users have expressed worry about the amount of data Google can see, and what, exactly, it does with that data. It's fair to point out that Google Chrome isn't the only app that people complain about in this arena, but being one of the biggest and very much in the public eye, it does become an irresistible target for many.
If you're the practical type who likes to troubleshoot their own issues, you'll find a wealth of help resources for Google Chrome for Android, from official help documentation to well-populated forums. If you're the kind of person who prefers to escalate their issues to a real live help person, however, you might be waiting a while. It's notoriously difficult to get to talk to a real, live Google employee, and for Chrome for Android users, it's no exception.
Our take
Google Chrome in all its versions was the undeniable king of browsers. It's still a great option and a trusty reliable if you need a browser for an Android phone. If we sound a little less than enthusiastic, however, it's probably because there are 2 little points that steal some of the shine. Firstly, Google Chrome for Android (or any other platform, for that matter) doesn't seem to have innovated or improved much in recent years. It might be solid, but it's certainly not exciting. Secondly, it is most firmly part of the Googleverse. Now, it's worth pointing out that there is no evidence that we know of that makes this a negative, but if you're part of Team Suspicious, it's definitely going to take away some of the shine.
Should you download it?
Sure. If you feel benign about Chrome being part of the Googleverse, it's a solid, attractive browser that's at least as good as any of the major competitors. For many, especially people who use Chrome on other platforms, it's an obvious choice.
