The Chrome Custom Tabs They are one of the most interesting features of Chrome and one of the key points in its omnipresence throughout the Android ecosystem. However, you don't have to be forced to use them only with Chrome. We teach you to use this tool with other browsers.
What are Chrome Custom Tabs and how do they work?
The Chrome Custom Tabs they are those tabs that open a reduced version of Chrome in other applications. Basically, many apps do not have a built-in browser like Twitter or Facebook. In those cases, Chrome offers an option to open part of the browser in a Custom Tab that has some functions, as well as access to history, saved passwords, etc.
From Google they offer a tutorial detailing all the functions of the Chrome Custom Tabs and how to implement them in the applications. However, that Google and Chrome are the main elements of this system does not imply that they are the only ones. Any browser Chromium-based can be used as Custom Tabs, and even Firefox will add that option in your browser for Android. However, more particular browsers like flyx they won't do.
Therefore, a quick way to change the browser that Custom Tabs opens is to make the one you prefer to use your default browser. You can do this by going to Settings, then Applications, pressing the gear in the upper right area and choosing the Navigator. However, it doesn't always work that way, or we don't always want to use Custom Tabs. We may even want to use custom tabs with one browser but open a full version in another. There is a way to do all of this.
Chromer: fully customize how you use Chrome Custom Tabs
chromer, with R at the end, is an application that allows you to customize every detail of your experience with Chrome Custom Tabs. In essence, it is a lightweight browser that takes advantage of the tools already built into Android, but lets you choose how to use them to suit you. It is available for free at the Play Store.
Once you download it, the first screens will show you a tutorial with everything Chromer has to offer. In the first instance they will explain what the Chrome Custom Tabs consist of. After that, it highlights two first functions to save data: Chromer is compatible with AMP pages and is able to directly open a reading mode. Both modes are very important in order to load fewer images and have the essential elements of a page.
In addition, Chromer offers its tabs in the list of multitask Android, allowing you to move from one process to another between apps. As a bonus, if you want to radically transform the Custom Tabs experience, you can choose to open as floating bubbles, nevertheless maintaining all the functions. To use it, you must set Chromer as your default browser, either from the aforementioned settings or from the application itself.
If you do not remember something from the tutorial, you can see it again through the burger menu of the app. From there you can also send feedback, rate the app in the Play Store, sign up for the beta version, donate to developers or look at the information about the app.
How to change the Custom Tabs browser
Serial, chromer It comes configured to open Chrome, since it seeks to use Chrome Custom Tabs in all possible apps. However, it is very easy to configure other browsers. In the Home, click on the gear in the upper right area and then click on Browsing options. Above will appear three fields: Custom Tab Provider, Secondary Browser, and Favorite Sharing App.
The first field will be the Main Browser which will be loaded to offer the Chrome Custom Tabs. Click on the icon, which will be the one for Chrome at the beginning, and the list of browsers that you have installed and that are valid will appear. For example, you can use Brave Browser or use Firefox Focus. Once your option is chosen, that browser will load the custom tab. In its task bar, it will offer you the option to open the link in a full browser, which will be the one you choose in the Secondary browser field.
El Secondary Browser It will open fully when you select it. Therefore, here there are no limits and you can choose any browser. This means that you could also choose the aforementioned Flynx or other more niche ones like firefox rocket. The last field, that of Favorite sharing app, it is not mandatory to fill it out. If you leave it as is, you should always choose the app to share with. But if you only dedicate yourself to sharing links on WhatsApp, you can configure it like this to save a few seconds.
Under this preferences menu, you have more options. You can even choose one app blacklist from which Chromer will not open links, or activate a bottom bar to earn more options in the Chrome Custom Tabs. If you go back to the adjustments, there are two other sections: Browsing mode y Look & Feel. The first is to choose Custom Tabs or Background Bubbles and if you want to open the pages in AMP or Article View mode. The second is for all design issues.
Back at Home, you can choose whether to activate the historial in Chromer or not, although this is independent of the history of each browser. You can always delete it if you prefer. Similarly, you can directly open a Chromer tab from there.
Finally, its use is very simple. Once set as the default browser, chromer it will open the links you click. If you have chosen the bubble mode, will open in the background. Once you click on the bubble, the full tab will open. There you will have the option to close the link, the options menu of the chosen main browser and the logo of the secondary browser. If you click on the latter, the link will open completely in that browser. If you have chosen to use the Article view, Chromer will open the link by itself, and an extra button will appear to open the normal version in the chosen browser.
Google Now: the exception that proves the rule
In general, when using Chromer you will not notice differences with the previous Chrome Custom Tabs. Yes, sometimes you notice a certain slowdown when opening links, especially with the article mode activated. Beyond that, the experience is smooth and comfortable for any user.
There is, however, a case where chromer it will not work. These are the links that you try to open from Google Now, the news feed for your home screen. It is clear that Google seeks to integrate all its services with each other, so you will not be able to prevent it from using Chrome to open the articles it offers you. It makes sense, and it's the only case we've found that breaks the Chromer experience. Therefore, if you use a lot Google Now, you will not be able to take advantage of using Custom Tabs with other browsers.
Even so chromer is a highly recommended application that allows you to improve the use of your favorite browser and even more intelligently mix the use of several browsers. If you are interested in trying it, it is available for free at the Play Store:
