Google just made its AI ambitions a lot more obvious on mobile. Chrome's new tab page on Android and iOS now features dedicated shortcuts for both AI Mode and Incognito browsing, putting Google's conversational search front and center for millions of users.
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Following the desktop version's rollout in July, Chrome for mobile now displays two rounded bar buttons directly beneath the familiar "Search Google or type URL" field.
For those who regularly use Incognito mode, the new shortcut offers a faster alternative to digging through the three-dot overflow menu. While long-pressing the Chrome app icon from your homescreen remains the most direct method, this in-app button provides immediate single-tap access once the browser is already open.
The real story here, though, is the AI Mode button. Tapping it launches users directly into Google's experimental AI search experience at google.com/AI, providing quick entry to the company's Gemini-powered conversational interface. This joins other access points like the Pixel Launcher search bar and homescreen widgets, but the new tab page placement makes it one of the most prominent AI entry points.
On desktop Chrome, the AI Mode shortcut on the new tab page has become the primary way many users launch the feature, and its arrival on mobile is expected to similarly streamline AI access. The update complements the AI Mode functionality that Google has also been integrating directly into the Chrome omnibox, creating multiple touchpoints for users to engage with the company's AI-first search vision.
For those who aren't fans of AI-powered search, the regular Google search remains prominently positioned above the new shortcuts. And for users who prefer to keep their browsing experience free of AI features, Google provides options to disable the AI Mode buttons through Chrome's experimental flags settings.
This update is currently rolling out to users running version 141+ of Chrome for Android and iOS, moving the row of website favicons and the Discover feed further down the page to accommodate the new shortcuts. The timing suggests Google is accelerating its AI integration strategy across all platforms, making conversational search increasingly unavoidable for Chrome users worldwide.
