Google’s latest Chrome update appears to be causing a small but annoying problem for some users. In Chrome version 148, the bookmarks bar is showing up by default on the new tab page, even for people who normally keep it hidden. If there are no saved bookmarks, the bar can still appear, just empty.
As reported by Android Authority, the issue started showing up after Google rolled out Chrome 148 on May 5. The report says users have been complaining that the bookmarks bar stays visible on the new tab page even after trying the usual fixes, including the Ctrl+Shift+B shortcut, turning the setting off manually, or disabling the related Chrome flag.
The good news is that the bug does not follow users across the whole browser. Once you open a normal website, Chrome hides the bookmarks bar again. Still, that may not be much comfort for people who open a lot of new tabs and want a cleaner look.
Thankfully, there are a few possible workarounds. One option is to use an extension that replaces Chrome’s default new tab page, such as Tabliss or Infinity New Tab. Another is downgrading to Chrome version 147, although that is not recommended because older browser versions can come with security risks.
For now, this looks like more of an irritation than a serious Chrome failure, but for users who like their browser set up a certain way, it is the kind of bug that is hard to ignore.
Source: Android Authority
