Last Updated on April 2, 2026
Here is an updated video on how to enable the Chrome side panel.
If you are a Google Chrome user, then you might get frustrated every so often when Google decides to make changes to their popular web browser. Most of us like to see the same tools and icons in the same place and don’t like it when things get changed, moved and especially removed.
By bringing back a sense of structure and familiarity, these settings can make Chrome feel far less chaotic and much more user-friendly. This is especially true for people who rely on muscle memory when navigating their browser. Instead of hunting through hidden menus or remembering keyboard shortcuts, you can quickly recreate a more traditional layout. This is particularly helpful for productivity, since frequently used features like bookmarks or history become accessible with a single click. In a browser that changes as often as Chrome does, having the ability to restore lost functionality or stabilize your workflow can make a noticeable difference in everyday use.
The Missing Chrome Side Panel
1. Understand the Side Panel Features
One nice feature of Google Chrome is the Side Panel which will let you view things such as your reading list, bookmarks, history and reading mode. This gives you quick access to these features since Chrome no longer has any traditional menus like they did in the past. You can easily add menus to Chrome by installing a simple browser extension shown here.
2. Locate the Old Icon Position
To access the Chrome Side Panel, you would normally click on the specific Side Panel icon at the upper right corner of the Chrome browser. Recently, Google decided to remove this button from the top of the browser making it hard to open the Side Panel. If this feature is something you used on a regular basis, then its most likely going to be a disappointing change for you.
Restore the Side Panel Button
1. Access the Chrome Flags Menu
Fortunately, there is a fast way to restore the Side Panel button directly in Chrome so you can once again access the Side Panel features themselves. This will involve going into the hidden Chrome flags settings to make the change. Google Chrome flags are experimental features and settings that are not yet part of the standard browser configuration.
2. Search for the Specific Flag
To access these flags, you can type chrome://flags/ directly into the address bar of Chrome and press enter on your keyboard. Then in the search box, type in Side panel navigation and pinning updates and press enter. This searches the massive database of hidden settings for the exact toggle you need.
3. Disable the Experimental Feature
You should then be shown the Side panel navigation and pinning updates flag. You will need to change its value from Default to Disabled using the drop-down menu. You will then instantly see a popup from Chrome telling you that you need to relaunch Chrome for the changes to take effect.
4. Relaunch Chrome and Verify
Once Chrome fully restarts, you should then see the familiar Side Panel button back at the top right of the browser. Now you can start using the tools in the Side Panel exactly like you could before it went missing. This simple fix saves you from having to relearn your daily browsing workflow.
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