You can manage the side panel in Google Chrome to quickly access tools like bookmarks, reading list, and other features without leaving your current tab.
To open the side panel, click the side panel icon (a rectangle with a vertical bar) in the top-right corner of Chrome. This will open a panel on the right side of the browser window.
At the top of the side panel, you can switch between different sections such as Reading List, Bookmarks, or other available features. Use the dropdown menu to select what you want to view.
To manage bookmarks from the side panel, select Bookmarks and browse through your saved links. You can open, edit, or organize them directly from the panel.
If you choose Reading List, you can view pages you have saved to read later. You can mark items as read or remove them when no longer needed.
To close the side panel, click the side panel icon again or click the “X” at the top of the panel.
Some versions of Chrome also allow you to customize what appears in the side panel, depending on enabled features or updates.
In the side panel of your computer, you can find:
- Reading list
- Bookmarks
- History
- Google Lens and more
- To resize the side panel: On the side of the panel, select and hold Drag
.
- To change the location of the side panel:
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- Select More
Settings
- Under 'Side panel', select the side that you want the panel to open.
- To close the side panel: At the top right, select Close
.
You can pin a specific side panel in Chrome. You can pin:
- Google Lens
- Reading list
- Bookmarks
- History
- Reading mode
Pin a specific side panel
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- Go to a website.
- At the top right, select More
.
- To pin:
- Google Lens: Select Search with Google Lens.
- Reading list: Select Bookmarks and lists
- Bookmarks: Select Bookmarks and lists
- History: Select History
- Reading mode: Select More tools
- Next to the icon name, select Pin to toolbar
.
- On the left, next to 'Profile', you can find Google Lens
, Bookmarks
, Reading mode
, Reading list
or History
.
- On the left, next to 'Profile', you can find Google Lens
Unpin a specific side panel
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- On the left, next to 'Profile', you can select:
- Google Lens
- Reading list
- Bookmarks
- History
- Reading mode
- Google Lens
- Next to the icon name, select Unpin from toolbar
.
Tip: You can also right-click on an icon and select Unpin.
Related resources
- Search the web in Chrome
- Search with Google Lens in Chrome
- Create, find and edit bookmarks in Chrome
- Read pages later and offline
- Use reading mode in the side panel
Using the side panel helps you multitask efficiently by keeping useful tools accessible while browsing.
In summary, Chrome’s side panel provides quick access to bookmarks, reading lists, and other tools, making it easier to manage content without switching tabs.
