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A simple free Android app that will make your phone much faster

Published Feb 12th, 2016 11:46AM EST
Speed Up Android
Image: Zach Epstein, BGR

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Despite their octa-core processors and tons of RAM, even the best Android phones in the world still aren’t as fast as Apple’s dual-core iPhone 6s. But don’t pack your bags and jump ship to iOS just yet — we’ve got plenty of tips and tricks that will help speed up any Android phone.

We recently told you that you can make your phone run smoother and extend your battery life just by uninstalling the Facebook app. But our simplest and most important tip came all the way back in 2014, when we told you about a hidden setting you can adjust to make your phone run significantly faster in just a few seconds.

Now we’re back with yet another tip that will speed up any Android phone, and all you have to do this time is install a free app.

MUST READ: Dollars and Sense: In fitness tech, it’s game over

Have you ever heard of Chrome custom tabs? Probably not, and it doesn’t matter. Suffice it to say that Chrome custom tabs are a solution Google created to dramatically decrease the time it takes for apps to load web pages on Android devices. The problem with Chrome custom tabs, however, is that the solution needs to be implemented by third-party app developers in order for it to help speed things up in their apps.

At least, that used to be the case.

Chromer is a free app by Android developer Arunkumar designed for a single purpose: it allows any app on your Android phone or tablet to take advantage of Chrome custom tabs. Loading a web page is one of the slowest things you can do on a mobile device, so you’ll feel the impact from this simple app instantly.

Here’s Chromer’s description followed by a free Google Play store download link:

Chromer allows you to use chrome custom tabs on your phone without requiring app developers to implement it manually.

By doing so, you get a lighter, faster and secure browsing experience!

Featured in:
‘Chromer’ gives every app its own custom internal browser. – Phandriod.com
Chromer Opens All Of Your Links In A Chrome Custom Tab – AndroidPolice.com

What do I need to use this?
You need any custom tab compatible browsers. As of now only Google Chrome 45 and greater supports custom tab, hence you need to have it installed to make any use of this app. You can install it here : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome

Hows is using chrome custom tabs advantageous?
Using chrome custom tabs you have the following advantages
•  Minimal distractions from the app you are using.
•  Pages load faster relatively.
•  You don’t need to login to websites again.
•  Your forms are auto filled if you have auto fill enabled.
•  You can use chrome’s data saver feature.
•  Your browsing experience is secure with latest security updates! Other browser apps using in-built webview can be prone to security and performance issues. If you are below 5.0 definitely consider chromer!
•  Ability to stack multiple links and then open them later using floating bubbles.

Compared to normal chrome?
With Chromer, you are essentially loading a light weight version of chrome that is fast and designed for the sole purpose of displaying webpages quickly. You can always Menu – Open in chrome to open the page in chrome and enjoy all features like bookmarks, history and multi-tab browsing!

Is it secure?
Chromer uses Chrome’s latest rendering engine which is always updated through Google play. Hence you are always latest on updates hence browsing using Chromer is much more secure than normal Webview found on android versions below 5.0.

How to use?
Set Chromer as the default browser in your phone. From there on, any link you try to open in your phone will be presented in a custom tab. You can also not do this and choose to open link in chromer when prompted

More on chrome custom tabs : https://developer.chrome.com/multidevice/android/customtabs

Chromer is now open source under GPLv3 license : https://goo.gl/uWzwKf

Download Chromer for free

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.