Chrome for iOS Updated with Improved Google App Interoperability, Fullscreen iPad Support - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Chrome for iOS Updated with Improved Google App Interoperability, Fullscreen iPad Support

by

chromeGoogle has updated its Chrome app to version 28, adding improved "interoperability with other Google Apps," which means links to YouTube, Maps, Google+, and Drive can now be opened in their respective apps rather than in the browser. According to Google, additional app integration will be added in the near future.

With version 28 of Chrome, Google introduces a new feature that is designed to speed up page load times and reduce overall data usage, which is being sent out to users on a rolling basis.

The update also includes improvements to voice search, fullscreen capabilities on the iPad, access to browser history, and bug fixes.

What's New in Version 28.0.1500.12
- Interoperability with other Google Apps. Option to open links for YouTube, Maps, G+ and Drive in the app instead of the browser.
- Enhancements to voice search. Text-to-speech for all variations of English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Japanese, and Korean. Toolbar controls are always available when using voice search.
- Fullscreen on iPad.
- Data cost savings: Reduce data usage and speed up page load times. View data savings in Bandwidth Management settings. This feature is being rolled out and will be available to all users over time.
- Access to browser history.
- Stability / security improvements and bug fixes.

Chrome is a free app that can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

A Hebrew Avatar
170 months ago
If only I could set this to my default browser...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
I was really waiting for this one.

Seems Chrome has some bug fixes for iOS7 too. ;)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
One thing I like about google is how they offer their services to anyone. Look at all the google apps for iOS - imagine if apple were the same way. There would be iWork, iLife, and Safari apps for android with cross platform iCloud sync.

They make 95% of their revenue from advertising. Apple does not. They offer these apps to iOS to monetize the users there, they aren't benevolent.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
How about that official Music All Access app we're waiting for?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
What needs to be improved?

it's a petty comment but the chrome and drive icons don't match the cleanliness of the standard google app and google maps for example. they just took their standard icons and slapped them on black backgrounds with a gradient instead of actually designing something that fits the look/shape of the icon.

it's just lazy designing on their part and leaves me a bit miffed.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
170 months ago
One thing I like about google is how they offer their services to anyone. Look at all the google apps for iOS - imagine if apple were the same way. There would be iWork, iLife, and Safari apps for android with cross platform iCloud sync.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple 2026 Back to School Graphic

Apple's 2026 Back to School Offer Just Went Live in Select Countries

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:48 am PDT by
Apple's annual Back to School promotion is now live in select countries in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The offer provides college students and educational staff with a free item with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad model. The exact offer varies by country, with options including a pack of four AirTags, AirPods 4,...
iphone 17 cyber

Apple Closes Unlocked iPhone Loophole for T-Mobile and Verizon Financing

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
Carrier-financed iPhones purchased from Apple will soon be locked to the carrier, ending a workaround customers used to purchase an unlocked iPhone on a payment plan. Until the rule change, buying an iPhone from Apple and opting for financing through Verizon or T-Mobile meant you would get an iPhone not locked to either carrier's network. That's no longer the case, and now iPhones financed...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

New iPad Mini With Four Upgrades Reportedly Launching by October

Thursday July 16, 2026 7:16 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release a new iPad mini model with an OLED display by October this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple already updated the iPad Pro with an OLED display in May 2024, but the iPad mini, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad are all still equipped with LCD screens. The move to OLED technology would result in the next iPad mini offering improved image quality, thanks ...