Chrome download notifications at the bottom: How do I set them up?

Since september 2023 and the Version 117 In Chrome, the download bar at the bottom of the screen has disappeared. It has been replaced by a small, unobtrusive bubble in the upper-right corner of the browser.

A tip via the flags used to let you find it, but it no longer works on recent versions.

New format for Chrome download notifications

With the Version 117 of Google Chrome, Google has completely revamped the way downloads are displayed. The large rectangular buttons from the old bottom bar have been replaced by a a small icon in the upper-right corner of the browser.

This new interface is called the Download Bubble. It displays the progress and status of each file. When you click on it, a drop-down menu opens with the list of recent downloads and quick access to your files.

Google's goal is to make the display less intrusive. But many users prefer the old version download bar at the bottom, where it's more visible and more convenient for everyday use.

Cancel this update: How does it work?

There is a method involving the flags of Google Chrome, that is, the browser's experimental features, which are not enabled by default.

Please note : These settings make significant changes to Chrome, and Google may remove them at any time.

Here are the steps to try to reset the download bar at the bottom :

1. Open a new tab and type the following into the address bar: chrome://flags/#download-bubble
2. Find the options Enable Download Bubble and Enable Download Bubble V2, which control the appearance of notifications.
3. From the drop-down menu to the right of each row, select Disabled (Disabled).
4. Restart Chrome by clicking the button Relaunch lower right.

These steps are summarized in the image below.

After the restart, Google Chrome returns to its previous format, with notifications displayed at the bottom of the screen.

If the flags no longer work in your version of Chrome

This procedure has a limited lifespan.

Since Chrome 126 (mid-2024), the flag download-bubble has simply disappeared. If chrome://flags/#download-bubble no longer appears on your screen; it is no longer possible to restore the old one download bar.

In that case, here are some options for keeping quick access to your files:

• Press Ctrl + J to open the complete list of your downloads directly.
• Tape chrome://downloads/ in the address bar to go to the same page.

Further optimize your Chrome experience

Once you've got your downloads under control, a few additional settings can make Google Chrome even more enjoyable every day.

Here are some other useful tips for improving your browser experience every day:

• Install lightweight extensions to speed up page loading, available at Windows and Mac.
• Empty the cache and cookies through the settings to improve your web browsing experience.
• Activate Google Sync to sync your settings across all your devices and easily share your downloaded files.

Pop-up ads remain the number one annoyance on the internet: our guide explains how Block ads on Google Chrome.