How to enable new UI Refresh 2023 on Chrome (preview)

UPDATED 11/22/2023: The Chrome Refresh 2023 (CR23) update is expected to update the browser from Google with a new look, and in this guide, you will learn the steps to enable some of the upcoming visual changes in the latest stable version of the web browser.

Google Chrome has been the same simple (but powerful) browser for a long time, but Google is working to introduce some visual changes with the CR23 update. The new interface still retains the similarity of the classic design as you see today on Windows 11, 10, macOS, and Linux, but the company is bringing some of the “Material You” design language already found on ChromeOS and Android.

As part of the interface refresh, you can find the toolbar with larger buttons and rounded corners at the top, and many of the dialogs and menus have been updated with rounded corners. The buttons in the address bar (such as the one for share and site information) have also been updated with a new design. Furthermore, the main menu is also getting a refresh with the addition of new icons to represent each of the available options, and there’s a new menu to switch profiles. In addition, the menu to manage tabs is now located on the left side.

The company is also working on a feature that automatically picks a color scheme for the browser from the current wallpaper image, similar to the feature found on Android, but you have to enable the feature manually. Another design change is the support of the Mica material to align the design language with the one on Windows 11.

Google is even working on a new experience to customize the look and feel of the browser with the ability to choose the option that will match Chrome with the color accent of Windows 11, but this a feature currently available in the Canary Channel.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to enable the new visual updates for Google Chrome.

Enable new UI Refresh 2023 on Chrome

To enable the new interface changes on Google Chrome, use these steps:

Open Google Chrome (119 or higher).
Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter to open the “flags” experimental settings to enable the “Chrome Refresh 2023” setting:
```
chrome://flags/#chrome-refresh-2023
```
Use the “Chrome Refresh 2023” setting on the right and select the Enabled option.
Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter to open the “Chrome WebUI Refresh 2023” setting:
```
chrome://flags/#chrome-webui-refresh-2023
```
Use the “Chrome WebUI Refresh 2023” setting on the right and select the Enabled option.
Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter to open the “Customize Chrome Side Panel” setting:
```
chrome://flags/#customize-chrome-side-panel
```
Use the “Chrome WebUI Refresh 2023” setting on the right and select the Enabled option.
(Optional) Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:
```
chrome://flags
```
Search for cr23 and set the available settings to Enabled:
- Omnibox CR 2023 Action Chips.
- Omnibox CR 2023 Action Chips Icons.
- Omnibox Expanded State Height.
- Omnibox Expanded State Shape.
- Omnibox Expanded State Suggest Icons.
- Omnibox Steady State Icons.
- Omnibox Expanded State Colors.
- Omnibox Expanded State Layout.
- Omnibox Suggestion Hover Fill Shape.
Click the Relaunch button.

Once you complete the steps, the Google Chrome browser will enable the new visual elements expected to roll out in 2023, including the new Side Panel with the new experience to customize the appearance of the browser.

Update November 22, 2023: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect new changes.