Are you always on the lookout for getting more done on your smartphone? Then the Instance Switcher feature that just came out of Beta on Chrome might become your next favorite thing.
Okay, so we’ve all heard about multiple tabs on Chrome. This wasn’t a feature initially. Then it was tested on Chrome Canary — which is where Google tests out its most user-friendly features — and now, it is a staple of Chrome. Well, Instance Switcher is taking things beyond that soon-ish. At least allegedly, as there hasn’t been an official announcement yet, even though ChromeUnboxed managed to get their hands on it early.
But let's get into the nitty-gritty and explain what this feature is about. It's rather simple actually: it lets you run multiple instances of Chrome on your phone. Do you remember app cloning? Like that, but actually endorsed by the big G and made with you in mind.
Example snaps of the feature in action, provided by ChromeUnboxed.
The feature is accessible to some users via tapping the three dots to access Chrome’s menu, located on the rightmost top corner. From there, look for a button labeled “Manage Windows” and presto! You are ready to bring multitasking to the extreme!
You have now gained access to the ability of having two sets of the Chrome app, each with its own tabs. Both of them can run simultaneously as separate floating windows, or you can utilize split screen to have both of them remain static.
Neat! So what now? A simple example is if you use your phone for work at home, you can have a work-Chrome and a personal-Chrome. Another, more pedestrian example would be utilizing them to watch a video in one window, while reading on the topic on another. Naturally, this is applicable in the rare instance where you can’t do that via typical split-screen, but you get the point.
As of now, it is uncertain what is the method to the rollout, so not everyone has gotten it. If you are excited about stepping up your productivity game throughout the year, then this might be a golden opportunity. If that is the case, yet you’re still not seeing the option, just make sure to check every now and then until it does arrive.
Stan, also known as Stako, is a smartphone enthusiast who loves exploring the limits of Android customization. His journey with mobile tech began with the Nokia 5110 and evolved with devices like the BlackBerry 9350 Curve and Samsung Galaxy A4. Despite his love for Android, he holds equal respect for Apple, considering the iPhone 4s as a significant milestone in mobile tech. Stan started his writing career early, contributing to MetalWorld, and harbors a passion for creative writing. Beyond smartphones, he's interested in photography, design, composition, and gaming, often preferring solo projects to hone his objective thinking. He's also an avid student of open-source technology and consoles, with a special fondness for the Pebble Watch, Arduboy, and Playdate.
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