[Updated] Do you want to disable the Google Chrome reading list? see how

Here is the crux of the article in video form:

New updates are being added at the end of this story …….

The original story (published on March 16, 2021) follows:

The latest iteration of the Google Chrome browser loads a version number 89 and was incorporated into the stable branch earlier this month. The update brings several new features.

For the uninitiated, the profile module received a major overhaul with the update where each user can now personalize their profile with a personalized background and play with various themes and color schemes.

The update also implements support for WebHID, which in short is an API that allows web applications to interact with human interface (HID) devices such as VR controls, gamepads and joysticks.

Google Chrome

And last, but not least, is Google Chrome’s new Reading List feature that allows users to save things that are worth reading for later or maybe just for archival purposes.

Before that, people relied on third-party plug-ins like Pocket for the same purpose, but now it’s great to see Chrome having its own built-in function.

However, to add things to the Chrome Reading List, just click on the star icon inside the address bar and select “Add to Reading List”.

chrome-reading-list-ss

These saved sites can be conveniently accessed at the left end of the Chrome bookmarks bar, as shown in the image above.

This implementation, however, was not well received by everyone. Many are now complaining that the Reading List option consumes too much space on the favorites bar – space that could be used to keep additional favorites in view.

Therefore, some users have been looking for a way to hide it completely.

chrome-forums-complaint

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So this “Reading List” has appeared close to my favorites and is taking up a lot of space for what I need for them. I wonder how I can get rid of this.
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How to hide – Reading favorites list. It was bothering me too much, it just came out of nowhere today.
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Fortunately for you, we have managed to find a simple solution.

You should be aware that Google Chrome gives users a high degree of control over their resources through flags. And while most things under it can be experimental, it ends up serving very well for those looking for a way to customize Chrome beyond what it allows on its front end.

This same feature will now help us to remove the Reading List from the bookmarks bar in Google Chrome, disabling it completely. Just follow the steps provided below for immediate results:

NOTE: If you want to know more about the Google Chrome Reading List on Android, click here.

google-chrome-reading-list-flag

click to enlarge

1. Type chrome: // flags / # read-later in the address bar and press the Enter key.
2. Select “Disabled” from the drop-down list next to the Reading List option.
3. Restart Chrome.

Obviously, the series of steps above is fully valid on any desktop operating system – be it macOS, Windows or Linux.

Simple enough, isn’t it? Hopefully, the workaround did the job for you. If so, be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Update 1 (March 17)

It is important to note that, as is usually the case with phased deployments, the Reading List feature may not be available to everyone (since it has just started to be implemented). The only way to get rid of it at the moment is the one we described above.

However, if you don’t want to go that route, but want Google to roll back the feature, it’s worth knowing that the rollback will only happen when many users send negative feedback about the feature to the company. So the best thing you can do is send your feedback as feedback to the company.

Take a look at what a product expert in the community recently said about this (translated):

It’s not in my environment
I think it’s probably applied sequentially or in the form of “distributed as a test to a small number of people”

As usual with Google, if you want to apply it to everyone at once
We can pre-apply to 5% or 10% of users to see the reaction in advance.
Eventually, it will be applied to everyone
I think it will be removed a small number of times if it is a fatal defect or a great unpopularity.
(Are there not many visible withdrawals?)

I think it’s good to send “Jamada” as an opinion
I think it’s good to send feedback and say, “I’m getting more and more obstructive to the reading list. I want to get rid of it. ”

Update 2 (March 18)

For the naive, the signs appear in the Experiments until a feature becomes part of the stable update and is forced on all devices. This is why sharing your comments while the feature is still being tested becomes even more important.

So if you don’t like the Reading List feature and don’t want to be stuck with it forever, share your opinion with the developers. Take a look at how a product expert in the community explained this:

I’d also like to recommend that if you don’t like the feature, send your opinion to the Chrome team about what aspect you don’t like or why you don’t like:

  • Report a bug or feedback in Chrome – Google Chrome Help
  • It is very important that you do this, as these comments will be received directly by the Chrome team (they generally do not go through the Spanish forums). In addition, it is important because if this function is set to the stable version for everyone, the flag will eventually be removed and there will be no way to disable the option.

    Here is an example of expert feedback:

    For example, what I don’t like is the fact that when I click on the favorites star it asks me if I want to save it as a favorite or if I want to save it in the reading list: I would prefer the dialog box that always appears, with an option for save it to the reading list.

    Update 3 (March 19)

    We are conducting a survey to find out whether users like the Reading List feature or not. So, share your opinion with us by voting below:

    Update 4 (March 20)

    One of the readers in the comments section shared that, for some reason, the “# read later” flag isn’t working for them. Changing it to “# reading list” worked for them. So, if you are experiencing the problem, try this way.

    Observation: The following are some of our other articles in this series:

    PiunikaWeb started purely as an investigative technology journalism site with a primary focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories were chosen by names like Forbes, Fox News, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, MacRumors and many others. Do you want to know more about us? Go here.

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