In a recent Chrome update, your download notifications have been relocated to the top of the address bar. If you prefer the previous setup, you can revert it.
Note: We have received reports that a recent Chrome update has eliminated the “Enable download bubble” flag, so you might discover that this solution is no longer accessible.
Bring Back Chrome Download Notifications to the Bottom of the Page
Chrome downloads have suddenly stopped appearing at the bottom of the window.
Quick fix
Modify a download flag.
The full story
Earlier this month, Google updated its Chrome browser. One of the changes involved relocating download notifications from a bar at the bottom of the browser window to a drop-down icon at the top right of the address bar. Some users may appreciate this new method of accessing downloads. It’s a clean and unobtrusive approach that allows you to easily view all your downloads from the past 24 hours.
However, I personally found it unsettling. I’ve developed a strong habit of clicking on download links at the bottom of the Chrome screen, and although I might adapt to the new download tray over time, I currently consider it inconvenient.
The full fix
I discovered this solution on the Google Chrome Help site, and it did the trick for me. However, there was a cautionary note that stated, “This is an experimental flag, and Google may decide to remove it in the future.
- In your Chrome address field, enter (or copy and paste) chrome://flags/#download-bubble.
- At the top of the screen, you’ll notice that “Enable download bubble” is highlighted. The drop-down menu on the right is likely set to “Default.”
- Simply click on the drop-down menu and choose “Disabled.”
- Afterward, click on the “Relaunch” button, which is now located at the bottom of the screen.
Once Chrome restarts, the downloads icon at the top right will disappear, and when you download a file, the download bar will reappear at the bottom of your window, just as it did before.
