Chrome 156 Lands on Googlebooks: Save As, an Alt+Tab Fix and 12 More Changes

Chrome 156 is now rolling out to Googlebooks, and it fixes several of the everyday annoyances owners have been living with since launch. Google listed 14 changes in its Googlebook Help Community post, from a proper Save As dialog to an Alt+Tab fix for fullscreen sites. The update comes through the Play Store, about a week after Chrome 156 reached other desktops.

1. The fixes you will notice first

Save As for downloads: Chrome on Googlebook now shows a Save As dialog so you can choose the folder and file name before a download lands. Google also fixed a bug where a second copy of the same file got a number after the extension, so a file could end up named like image.webp(1) and refuse to open in apps.

Try it early: the Save As dialog is turning on gradually. Chrome Unboxed reports you can switch it on now by opening chrome://flags#enable-download-save-as-system-file-dialog and enabling the flag.

Alt+Tab on fullscreen sites: sites and web apps that lock the keyboard in fullscreen, such as cloud gaming services, used to swallow Alt+Tab. Now it switches windows like it does on ChromeOS, Mac and Windows, so you no longer have to hold Esc first.

Google Docs copying: copying large selections and tables in Google Docs now works, which matters if you do real document work on a Googlebook.

2. All 14 changes at a glance

Version: Chrome Unboxed lists the build as 156.0.8078.47. If you do not want to wait for it, open the Play Store on your Googlebook, search for Chrome and tap Update.

3. What Google says is coming next

Multiple profiles: alongside the release, Google acknowledged some of the biggest gaps in Chrome on Googlebook. Support for multiple Chrome profiles, one of the most requested features, is in development for a future update.

Tab groups and Cast: syncing tab groups across windows and devices is also being worked on, along with a proper fix so nearby Cast devices show up in Chrome’s Cast menu.

Cast workaround for now: open Settings, go to Apps, pick Chrome, open Permissions and allow Nearby devices. Your local Cast devices should then appear in Chrome.

Our take

Chrome has been the weakest part of Googlebook OS so far, so this is the kind of update that matters most. Save As, working Alt+Tab and fewer crashes are basic things Chromebook owners take for granted, and it is good to see them land two weeks after Chrome 155 brought wider web app installs. The honest roadmap is just as welcome. Multiple profiles are still the big one, and we will let you know when they arrive. For the browser features every platform got this round, see our Chrome 156 rundown.