Chrome Reading Mode: Enable or Disable It on Any Device

Chrome Reading Mode makes supported articles easier to read by presenting the text in a simplified view, with fewer page distractions and adjustable appearance options. The controls differ between desktop and mobile, and iPhone and iPad do not currently have Chrome’s Android-style Reading Mode panel; use Chrome’s available page options instead.

What You’ll Need

Chrome installed on your computer, Android phone, iPhone, or iPad.
A webpage with readable article text. Reading Mode may not be offered for every page.
On desktop, access to Chrome settings. On a work-managed device, some options may be controlled by an administrator.

Step-by-Step

Identify your device and the reading option. On desktop Chrome, Reading Mode is a side panel that can be opened for a webpage. On Android, it is an accessibility feature that can be enabled and then launched on compatible pages. On iPhone and iPad, Chrome does not provide the same built-in Reading Mode feature. You can use Apple’s Reader view in Safari if you need a simplified article view there.
Enable Reading Mode on desktop. Open Chrome and select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner. Choose Settings, then select Appearance. Find the Side panel section and turn on the option to show the side panel button, if it is off. The exact label or placement can vary as Chrome updates. Return to the page you want to read and select the side panel button near the upper-right of the toolbar. Open the panel’s mode selector and choose Reading mode. If a Reading Mode button is already shown in the toolbar or page controls, you can open it directly.
Read and adjust the desktop panel. With Reading Mode open, use the controls in the panel to change text appearance, such as font, size, spacing, or background, where those controls are offered. These changes affect the reading presentation, not the original webpage. Close the panel with its close button or select the side panel button again. Closing it stops the panel from being displayed; it does not remove Chrome or its reading feature.
Disable or hide the desktop control. To stop using Reading Mode, close its panel. To hide the side panel button, open Settings > Appearance and switch off the side panel button option if available. Chrome may still offer Reading Mode through another page control or menu, so hiding the button is not the same as uninstalling a feature. If you only want to return to the normal page, close the panel.
Enable Reading Mode on Android. Open the Android device’s Settings app, then go to Accessibility and find Reading mode. On some devices or Android versions, it may be listed under downloaded apps or installed accessibility apps; use Settings search for “Reading mode” if needed. Open the feature and follow the on-screen setup to add its shortcut or accessibility button. Android’s menus vary by manufacturer. This is an Android feature and may need to be installed or updated from Google Play if it is missing.
Launch it on an Android webpage. In Chrome, open an article with text and tap the Reading Mode shortcut you set up. Depending on your phone, this may be an accessibility button, a shortcut in the navigation controls, or an item reached through the accessibility shortcut. If the page is supported, Android displays a simplified view. Use its controls to change the text size, colors, or read-aloud options that are available. To return to the original page, use the back control or close Reading Mode.
Disable Reading Mode on Android. Open Android Settings > Accessibility > Reading mode and switch the feature off. If you only want to remove its shortcut, look in the feature’s settings for shortcut or accessibility-button controls and turn off the shortcut without disabling the feature itself. The labels and path can differ across Android devices. Disabling the feature prevents its shortcut from launching Reading Mode in Chrome and other supported apps.
Use an alternative on iPhone or iPad. Chrome for iOS and iPadOS does not offer the Android Reading Mode feature or desktop Reading Mode side panel. If you need a cleaner view of an article, open the page in Safari, then tap the page menu or Reader control in the address bar and choose Show Reader when available. To leave it, choose Hide Reader or return to the regular webpage using the same control. Reader availability depends on the page, and the control may not appear for every site. This changes the view in Safari, not in Chrome.

Common Mistakes

Expecting one setting to work everywhere. Desktop Chrome, Android’s accessibility feature, and iOS Chrome use different approaches. A setting enabled on one device does not automatically enable it on another.
Assuming every page is eligible. Reading tools need to identify the main article text. Pages made mostly of interactive content, image galleries, or unusual layouts may not offer a readable view.
Confusing a shortcut with the feature. Removing an Android accessibility shortcut may hide the launch button without disabling Reading Mode. Conversely, closing the desktop panel only closes it for the moment.
Looking for Chrome Reading Mode in iPhone settings. Chrome on iPhone and iPad does not have the same built-in Reading Mode as desktop Chrome or Android. Safari Reader is a separate Apple browser feature.
Expecting the original page to change. Reader views simplify how content is displayed; they do not rewrite the website, remove its content, or change its settings.

Tips

Try Reading Mode on a straightforward news or blog article first, then adjust its text size and contrast for comfortable reading.
On Android, configure the shortcut you can reach most easily, but remember its location depends on your phone’s navigation and accessibility settings.
If you are comparing a page with its simplified view, leave the original tab or page open; you can close Reading Mode to return to it.
Keep Chrome and Android updated. Feature availability and menu wording can change, and managed devices may restrict settings.
Use Safari Reader on an iPhone or iPad when you specifically want a simplified view, rather than searching Chrome’s menus for a control that is not provided there.

Troubleshooting

Reading Mode does not appear on desktop: Confirm that the side panel button is enabled in Chrome’s Appearance settings, then open the side panel and check its mode selector. Try a different article; not every page can be simplified. If the control is missing, update Chrome and restart it. On a managed computer, ask the administrator whether browser settings are restricted.

The Android shortcut is missing: Search Android Settings for “Reading mode,” check Accessibility and installed accessibility apps, and confirm the feature is installed or available for your device. Revisit its setup to add a shortcut. If it opens but cannot read a page, test with an article containing ordinary text.

Reading Mode opens but looks incomplete: The page’s layout may not expose its article text in a way the feature can use. Return to the original page, check whether the article has fully loaded, and try another page. Interactive elements and some embedded media may not carry over to the simplified view.

You cannot find Reader on iPhone or iPad: Confirm you have opened the page in Safari, not Chrome, and try an article page rather than a home page. Safari only displays Reader when it detects supported content. If Reader is unavailable, use the webpage’s own text-size or accessibility controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chrome Reading Mode work on every website?
No. It works only when Chrome or Android can identify suitable text content, and complex or interactive pages may not be supported.

Can I turn Reading Mode off without removing Chrome?
Yes. Close the desktop panel or disable Android Reading Mode in Accessibility settings. You can also remove the Android shortcut without switching off the feature.

Does Chrome have Reading Mode on iPhone?
Chrome for iPhone and iPad does not provide the same built-in Reading Mode found on desktop or Android. Safari Reader is an alternative when the page supports it.

Will my Reading Mode settings sync between devices?
Do not assume they will. Desktop panel settings, Android accessibility settings, and Safari Reader controls are separate and can vary by device.

Does Reading Mode save an article for offline reading?
Reading Mode is a display option, not an offline-saving feature. Use an appropriate browser or device save option if you need access without a connection.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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