Google is edging closer to introducing vertical tabs in Chrome, a feature long requested by power users. The option has now appeared in the browser’s Beta build, suggesting it could soon reach the stable version.

For years, Google Chrome has relied on a horizontally oriented tab bar, similar to most major browsers. However, some rivals have adopted vertical tabs to better use screen space, especially on wide displays.

Google has been testing this idea for some time, initially rolling it out in experimental Canary builds aimed at developers and early testers.

Feature moves to Chrome Beta

The vertical tabs option has now migrated to Chrome’s Beta channel, which is generally more stable and used by a larger audience. This move indicates that Google is seriously considering the feature for broader release.

However, the option remains hidden and is not yet available through Chrome’s regular Settings menu. Users must manually enable it using a browser flag.

How to enable vertical tabs in Chrome

According to details shared by Ghacks, users running the latest Canary or Beta build can activate vertical tabs by following these steps:

Open chrome://flags/#vertical-tabs
Enable the vertical tabs flag
Restart the browser
Right-click the tab bar and select “Show tabs on the side”

Once enabled, tabs shift from the top of the browser window to a vertical panel on the side.

Will vertical tabs reach stable Chrome?

While there is no guarantee the feature will make it to Chrome’s stable release, its presence in the Beta build suggests it could arrive as early as the end of the month.

It is still unclear whether Google will keep vertical tabs hidden behind a flag or eventually promote them to a visible setting. A simple toggle in the tab bar menu could make switching layouts easier, but Google has not confirmed such plans.

As testing continues, Google is likely monitoring user feedback to refine the feature. Whether Chrome users embrace vertical tabs or prefer the traditional layout could influence how, or if, the option becomes a permanent part of the browser.