Chrome Reading List: Enable or Remove It

This guide shows you how to turn the Chrome Reading List on or off on both desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook) and mobile (Android, iOS). The Reading List is a built-in feature that lets you save pages to read later, separate from bookmarks. You’ll learn exactly where the toggle is in each version of Chrome, and what to do if the option is missing or the list won’t disappear.

What You’ll Need

Google Chrome installed on your desktop or mobile device
For desktop: a mouse or trackpad to navigate the menu
For Android/iOS: the latest Chrome app from the Play Store or App Store (older versions may have different menu names)

Step-by-Step

Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook)

Open Chrome and look at the top-right corner of the browser window. You’ll see three vertical dots (the menu icon).
Click the three dots to open the main menu. In the dropdown, look for a section that says “Bookmarks and lists” (in recent versions) or just “Bookmarks” (in older versions). Hover over or click that option.
Find “Show Reading List” in the submenu. If there’s a checkmark next to it, the Reading List is currently enabled (visible in the sidebar). Click it once to remove the checkmark and hide the Reading List.
To re-enable it, repeat the same steps and click “Show Reading List” again so a checkmark appears. The Reading List icon (a small magazine or list icon) will reappear in the toolbar.
Alternative method: If you don’t see that option, right-click anywhere on the bookmarks bar (the bar under the address bar). A context menu will appear. Look for “Show Reading List” and click it to toggle the feature on or off.

Mobile (Android and iOS)

Open the Chrome app on your phone or tablet.
Tap the three-dot menu (Android) or the three-dot menu at the bottom (iOS) to open the main menu.
Look for “Reading list” in the menu. On Android, it’s usually under “Bookmarks” or in the main list. On iOS, it’s often a separate item.
To remove the Reading List from your toolbar or menu: On Android, tap “Settings” → “Reading list” and turn off the switch for “Show reading list” (the exact wording may vary). On iOS, go to “Settings” → “Reading list” and toggle off “Show reading list”.
To enable it again, go back to the same settings and turn the switch on.
If you just want to delete saved pages (not disable the feature): Open the Reading List from the menu or toolbar, tap the three-dot icon next to a saved page, and choose “Remove” or “Delete”. You can also swipe left on a page (iOS) or long-press (Android) to remove it.

Common Mistakes

Looking for the wrong menu item: On desktop, the toggle is not in “Settings” – it’s in the “Bookmarks and lists” submenu. Many people search Settings and never find it.
Confusing Reading List with bookmarks: Removing a page from your Reading List does not delete the bookmark. They are separate features.
Expecting the Reading List to disappear from the toolbar immediately: On desktop, if you have the Reading List icon pinned to the toolbar, hiding the feature via the menu may not remove the icon. You may need to right-click the icon and select “Remove from toolbar” or “Hide”.
On mobile, thinking the Reading List is only in the toolbar: On Android, the Reading List might only appear in the menu, not as a separate icon. Check the menu first.

Tips

Use keyboard shortcuts: On desktop, you can quickly add the current page to your Reading List by pressing Ctrl+Shift+D (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+D (Mac). This works even if the Reading List is hidden.
Access Reading List from the side panel: On desktop, you can also click the side panel icon (a small rectangle with a line) in the top-right corner, then click the Reading List tab. This is a separate way to view it.
Sync across devices: Your Reading List syncs with your Google account, so pages you save on your phone appear on your desktop and vice versa. To disable this, go to Chrome Settings → “Sync and Google services” and turn off “Reading list” sync.
Use the Reading List for offline reading: Pages you save are automatically downloaded for offline viewing on mobile. This is handy for flights or areas with poor connectivity.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the “Show Reading List” option on desktop. This usually means you’re using an older Chrome version or a variant like Chrome for Enterprise that may have the feature disabled. Update Chrome to the latest version via the three-dot menu → “Help” → “About Google Chrome”. If it still doesn’t appear, try restarting the browser. In some cases, the feature is controlled by a company policy – check with your IT admin if you’re on a work device.

The Reading List icon is still in the toolbar after I disabled it. Right-click the Reading List icon (the small magazine icon) and choose “Remove from toolbar” or “Hide”. If that doesn’t work, the feature may still be enabled – go back and make sure the checkmark is gone from “Show Reading List”.

On mobile, I can’t find the Reading List setting. The exact location varies by Chrome version. On Android, try: three-dot menu → “Settings” → “Reading list”. On iOS, try: three-dot menu → “Settings” → “Reading list”. If you don’t see it, update the app. Some older versions don’t have a toggle – you can only hide the Reading List by removing all saved pages.

I removed a page from Reading List but it still shows up. This can happen if you have the page open in a tab. Close the tab and refresh the Reading List. Also, check if you accidentally added it to bookmarks – the Reading List and bookmarks are separate.

Reading List is not syncing between devices. Make sure you’re signed in to the same Google account on both devices and that sync is enabled for “Reading list” in Chrome Settings → “Sync and Google services”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the Reading List and bookmarks?
A: Bookmarks are permanent links you save for future reference. The Reading List is a temporary queue for pages you want to read soon. It has a separate interface and can be cleared easily.

Q: Can I use the Reading List offline?
A: Yes, on mobile Chrome, pages in your Reading List are automatically downloaded for offline reading. On desktop, you can also read them offline if you’ve previously opened them.

Q: Will disabling the Reading List delete my saved pages?
A: No, disabling the feature just hides it. Your saved pages remain stored in your Google account and will reappear if you re-enable the Reading List.

Q: How do I add a page to the Reading List?
A: On desktop, click the star icon in the address bar and then choose “Reading list” from the dropdown. On mobile, tap the three-dot menu and select “Add to Reading list”.

Q: Can I export my Reading List?
A: There is no built-in export option. You can manually copy the URLs or use a third-party extension, but Chrome doesn’t provide a native export function.

Q: Why is the Reading List not available on my Chromebook?
A: The Reading List is available on ChromeOS, but it may be hidden if you’re using a managed device or an older version. Update Chrome and check the “Bookmarks and lists” menu.

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

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