Skip to main content

Google Chrome may soon let users select a custom background image for new tabs

Chrome is a pretty flexible browser when it comes to its looks, largely thanks to its powerful theme engine. Natively, though, there aren’t a ton of customizations. However, Google is apparently preparing an update to Chrome which allows users to add a custom background image to new tabs.

Spotted first by Chrome Story, a new flag has popped up in Chrome which strongly hints at the arrival of a new “background image” option for the new tab page.

New Tab Page Background Selection

Allow selection of a custom background image on the New Tab Page. – Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS

#ntp-backgrounds

The flag is currently live in the Canary version of Chrome on all platforms, but enabling it doesn’t seem to do anything yet. More than likely, its functionality will show up in a future build of Chrome, along with other recently revealed features. It’s unclear how exactly the feature will work, but the addition of some extra, native customization is certainly welcome.

Chrome Story also notes that, with some other flags that have popped up in recent months, we could be looking at a coming redesign to the new tab page entirely. One of those flags mentions Material Design by name, while another mentions custom links. With I/O starting tomorrow, perhaps we’ll hear more about this…


Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel