Kiwi Browser It has become one of the most popular browsers in recent times within the Android ecosystem. In one of its latest updates, it added the option to place the address bar at the bottom Similar to the old Chrome Home, this greatly improves one-handed use on phones with large screens. We'll show you how to activate it step by step and also review all the key features that make this browser stand out from Chrome and other competitors.
Kiwi Browser, the new kid on the block in the world of Android browsers
Kiwi Browser It has become one of the most popular browsers for Android. This browser is Chromium-based (the same base as Google Chrome), but it offers a number of advanced customizations and optimizations only possible by moving away from the limitations imposed by Google, in the same way that other browsers like Brave Browser or Opera.
In the case of Kiwi Browser, his philosophy is “sail calmly”: load pages quickly, block annoying elements, and protect yourself from resource-intensive crawlers and scripts. In this way, a fluid experienceLightweight and highly focused on privacy without sacrificing compatibility with most modern websites.
This browser stands out especially for its extensive configurationFor example, it's very easy to activate a Night Mode which applies to all pages you visit, a very welcome feature if you like to read long articles on your phone or if you use the device in low light. Furthermore, this dark mode is Optimized for AMOLED displaysallowing you to adjust the black level and contrast to save battery.
Another of Kiwi's strengths is that it was one of the First Android browsers with support for Chrome extensionsbringing to your mobile phone many of the tools that you could previously only enjoy on your desktop: advanced ad blockers, password managers, and productivity utilities, among others.
And, thanks to one of its latest updates, it allows Place the navigation bar in the lower areaa feature that many people appreciated with the old option ChromeHome from the browser GoogleThis small interface modification makes a big difference in the one-handed ease of useespecially when you're on the move.
Advantages of using Kiwi Browser compared to other browsers
Among the most important advantages The following features stand out in Kiwi Browser:
Although you'll find many Chrome-based browsers on Google Play, most offer few real differences beyond a simple theme change. Kiwi Browser, on the other hand, incorporates a combination of exclusive functions designed to improve comfort, safety, and performance.
- Address bar at the bottom: allows you to handle the browser with one hand much more easily, something key in large mobile phones.
- Integrated ad blockerIt avoids much of the intrusive advertising and annoying pop-ups, which translates into lighter pages and shorter loading times.
- Protection against cryptominers: blocks cryptomining scripts that can use your CPU without permission, improving the performance and autonomy Of the device.
- Advanced Dark Mode: customizable night mode, very useful in low light environments and especially interesting if your mobile has an AMOLED screen.
- Chrome Web Store Extensions: the ability to install many desktop add-ons directly on your mobile device, something very unusual in Android browsers.
- Playback in the background: support for video playback (e.g., from YouTube) even if the screen is off, ideal for listening to music or podcasts.
- Access to Facebook Web Messenger from m.facebook.com without needing to install the official app, saving space and resources.
- More privacyOptions to block trackers, disable AMP, restrict intrusive notifications, and use a confidential mode that does not save cookies or history.
To all this is added a familiar interface, very similar to Chrome's, so the switch is easy for any user, even if they have never tried another alternative browser.
How to install Kiwi Browser on your Android mobile
Before you can activate the bottom bar, you need to have Kiwi Browser installed on your Android device. The process is very simple and no different from that of any other app:
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android mobile or tablet.
- In the search box, type “Kiwi Browser”.
- Locate the entry developed by Geometry OR and tap on it to access the application's information sheet.
- Touch the button Install and wait for the download to complete.
- When the installation is complete, you will see the Kiwi icon on your home screen and/or in the app drawer. Tap on it to open the browser for the first time.
From that moment you can start browsing and access all the configuration options, including the famous bottom bar.
Download Kiwi Browser – Fast & Quiet from the Play Store
How to use Kiwi Browser with the bar at the bottom
Once you have the browser installed, activate Kiwi Browser with the bar at the bottom It's a quick and easy process accessible through the accessibility settings. This feature is designed to make one-handed use easier, so you don't have to reach all the way to the top of the screen every time you want to type an address or switch tabs.
Follow these steps To activate it:
- Click on the three dot button located in the upper right corner of the Kiwi window.
- Access the section of Configuration from the browser.
- Enter the menu Accessibility, where the options designed to improve handling and visibility are grouped together.
- Look for the option called bottom toolbar and activate it using the corresponding switch.
- As soon as you do, a notification will appear indicating that it is necessary restart browser to apply the change.
- Click on Relaunch now y Kiwi Browser It will close and reopen automatically with the new settings.
Upon restarting, the toolbar (which includes the address bar and main buttons) will have moved to the lower area of screenFrom that moment on you can type URLs, search and switch tabs from the bottom of the mobile, which is much more convenient if you usually use it with one hand.
This configuration is especially useful if You are constantly on the move Or if you habitually use the device with one hand. In those scenarios, having all the basic controls within easy reach of your thumb reduces fatigue and makes navigation more efficient. fast and intuitive.
What to do if the bottom bar doesn't appear or isn't working
It is possible that, by following these steps, the The bar should not be placed in the lower area or it doesn't appear as it should. In many cases, this problem is due to having activated it in the past. Chrome Duplex, the replacement for Chrome Home, through Chromium flags.
If this is your case, you can correct this error by following these instructions:
- In Kiwi's address bar, type chrome :/ / flags to access the advanced menu of experimental flags.
- In the search bar at the top, locate the Chrome Duplex flag (or any similar adjustment related to the double bar).
- Deactivate that flag by changing its state to Disabled.
- Restart the browser at least twice to ensure that the changes are applied correctly.
- Repeat the steps in the previous section to activate the option bottom toolbar from the Accessibility menu.
After this process, everything should work correctly and bottom bar It should be active at the bottom of the screen. The change is especially noticeable on phones with large screenwhich are the ones that currently dominate the mobile phone market: you will no longer have to juggle to reach the top with your thumb.
If the bottom bar still doesn't appear, check that you don't have any other apps installed. Chrome extension that modifies the interface (for example, additional toolbars). As a quick fix, you can temporarily disable those extensions, restart Kiwi, and check if the bar returns to the bottom.
Other notable features of Kiwi Browser that you should know about
Beyond the position of the address bar, Kiwi Browser includes a long list of advanced functions which makes it a very complete alternative to Chrome and other Android browsers.
Among the most striking improvements we can find:
- Native ad blocker to avoid intrusive banners, pop-ups, and other annoying formats.
- Customizable night mode, with the option of pure black to take advantage of AMOLED screens or a softer grayscale.
- Background video playback, useful for listening to content from platforms like YouTube even with the screen off.
- Cryptominer blocking integrated, which protects your CPU and battery from malicious scripts.
- Compatibility with extensions from the Chrome Web Storewhich allows you to use advanced add-ons on your mobile phone as well.
- Access to Facebook chat from the web version without needing to install Facebook Messenger.
- Download control, with the option to choose which folder to save each file in.
- AMP Deactivation, to always load the full versions of the pages and avoid the limitations of this format.
- Enhanced privacy settings, such as blocking annoying notifications and tracking codes.
- Customizable home pagewhere you can place shortcuts to your favorite websites so you always have them at hand.
In addition, Kiwi Browser incorporates a integrated translator capable of changing the language from up to 60 different languages Without leaving your browser. Simply access a page in another language and activate the translation option so that the tab displays in your language immediately, without redirecting you to external services.
All of this is in addition to a solid technical foundation inherited from Chromium and very active development by its creator, who has even source code released of the project to make it easier for other developers to collaborate, create forks, or integrate their improvements into other mobile browsers.
With all these features, Kiwi Browser establishes itself as one of the best browsers for Android If you're looking for a balance between speed, privacy, extension compatibility, and one-handed ease of use, especially thanks to its convenient address bar at the bottom.