What You Can Change on Chrome's Home Screen
Chrome's home screen — the page that opens when you launch the browser or click the home icon — can be customized in three main ways: you can change the background image, adjust the shortcuts that appear below it, and turn the search bar on or off. The changes you make stay in place across all your devices if you are signed into the same Google account.
The home screen is not the same as your browser's default search engine or your computer's desktop background. It is the page Chrome shows you when you open a new tab or click home. You control it entirely within Chrome's settings, and the process takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Click the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of your Chrome home screen to open the customization menu.
- You can upload your own image as the background, choose from Chrome's built-in collection, or remove the background entirely.
- Add, remove, or rearrange the website shortcuts that appear on your home screen by clicking the plus icon or dragging existing shortcuts.
- Turn the search bar, shortcuts, and other elements on or off using the toggle switches in the customization panel.
How to Change the Background Image
Open Chrome and go to your home screen by clicking the home icon in the toolbar, or open a new tab if your home screen is set as your new tab page. Look for the pencil icon in the bottom right corner and click it. A panel will open on the right side showing customization options.
Under "Background," you will see a row of thumbnail images. Click any thumbnail to explore that background when ready. Chrome offers seasonal images, nature scenes, and solid colors. If you want to use your own image, click the upload icon (usually a folder or plus sign) next to the built-in options, then select a photo from your computer. The image will resize to fit the screen.
To remove the background and return to a plain white or dark screen, look for a "Reset to default" or blank option in the background row, depending on your Chrome version.
How to Add or Remove Shortcuts
Shortcuts are the clickable tiles below the search bar that take you directly to your most-visited websites. To add a new shortcut, click the plus icon (usually a gray square with a plus sign) on your home screen. A box will appear asking for the website name and URL. Type the site name as you want it to appear, paste or type the full web address, and click "Done."
To remove a shortcut, right-click or long-press on the tile and select "Remove." To rearrange shortcuts, click and drag them to a new position. You can have as many shortcuts as you want, though Chrome will wrap them to a second row if you add more than about eight.
How to Hide or Show the Search Bar and Other Elements
In the customization panel (opened by clicking the pencil icon), you will see toggle switches for "Search bar," "Shortcuts," and sometimes "Cards" or "Chrome tips." Toggle any of these off to hide that element from your home screen, or toggle them on to show it again.
If you turn off "Shortcuts," the tiles disappear but are not deleted — they will reappear if you toggle the setting back on. The search bar toggle controls whether the Google search box appears at the top of the page. Turning it off gives you more space for the background image.
How to Change Your Home Screen on Mobile Chrome
On Android and iPhone, open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu icon in the bottom right corner. Select "Settings," then "Homepage." Toggle "Show homepage" on if it is not already enabled, then choose whether you want your home screen to be the Chrome home page, a custom URL, or your default search engine.
To customize the background and shortcuts on mobile, open a new tab and look for the pencil icon in the bottom right corner — it works the same way as on desktop. Not all mobile devices show every customization option, depending on your Chrome version and operating system.
Syncing Your Home Screen Across Devices
If you are signed into the same Google account on multiple devices, your home screen customizations will sync automatically. This means the background image, shortcuts, and toggle settings you choose on your desktop will appear on your phone and tablet, and vice versa.
If your home screen is not syncing, check that you are signed into Chrome on all devices. Open Chrome settings, look for your account name at the top, and confirm you are logged in. If you are signed in but changes are not syncing, sign out and sign back in to force a refresh.
Troubleshooting Common Home Screen Problems
If the pencil icon does not appear, you may be in incognito mode or using a restricted account. Incognito windows do not allow customization. If you are on a work or school computer, your administrator may have locked the home screen settings. Try opening Chrome in normal mode, not incognito.
If your background image is not showing, check that you have toggled "Background" on in the customization panel. Very large image files may fail to upload — try compressing the image or choosing a smaller file. If shortcuts are not saving, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try adding them again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different home screen for each profile in Chrome?
Yes. Chrome allows multiple user profiles, and each one has its own home screen settings. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of Chrome, select "Manage profiles," and create a new profile if you do not have one. Each profile will remember its own background, shortcuts, and customization choices.
Will my home screen changes affect my search results or browsing history?
No. Changing the background image, adding shortcuts, or hiding the search bar does not change how Chrome searches or what it remembers. Your browsing history, saved passwords, and search behavior remain separate from home screen appearance.
What happens to my shortcuts if I clear my browsing data?
Shortcuts are stored separately from browsing history and cookies. Clearing your browsing data will not delete your shortcuts. However, if you clear "Cookies and other site data," Chrome may forget which sites you visit most frequently, which affects the auto-generated shortcuts that appear if you turn off custom shortcuts.
Can I upload an animated image or video as my background?
Chrome home screen backgrounds must be static images. You cannot upload videos or animated GIFs. If you try to upload an animated file, Chrome will either reject it or display only the first frame as a still image.
How do I restore my home screen to the default settings?
Click the pencil icon, then look for a "Reset to default" button or option, usually at the bottom of the customization panel. This will remove your custom background, restore the default shortcuts, and turn all toggles back on. Your shortcuts are not deleted — they are just hidden until you turn them back on.