Starting Google Chrome in application mode

53

13

How do I start Google Chrome in application mode?

What I want is to surf to a website, such as www.facebook.com, directly without borders or address bar, etc.

Robert

Posted 2009-09-01T11:19:36.087

Reputation:

Note The answer changes over time, as this feature changes. – Nils von Barth – 2018-10-24T18:22:16.777

Answers

69

The easiest way is to browse to the website in Chrome, and then follow these steps:

  1. Click the Chrome menu button (⋮ or ☰)
  2. Select More tools → Add to desktop...
  3. Edit the name if you wish, and click OK

Alternatively, in earlier versions of Chrome:

  1. Click the page menu.

    alt text

  2. Select Tools → Create application shortcuts.
  3. In the Gears dialog box, select the checkboxes for the locations where you want shortcuts to be placed.
  4. Click OK.

The other way is from the command line:

"path\to\chrome\chrome.exe" --app=http://facebook.com

jweede

Posted 2009-09-01T11:19:36.087

Reputation: 6 325

2

Looks like easiest way change since this was initially posted and requires a change in chrome flags now : https://productforums.google.com/forum/#%21topic/chrome/3A5ZTe-HrVE

– ROunofF – 2015-11-02T01:16:56.687

1

stackoverflow Run standalone web app in Google Chrome without borders or toolbars has an answer which suggests using the --kiosk http://example.com/ option when starting Chrome rather than --app.

– Richard Chambers – 2016-04-08T13:52:51.497

1It seems that if an existing Chrome session is running, the --app option is ignored. – Michael Scheper – 2016-09-18T15:36:25.283

Also, can you explain the 'page menu'? Right-clicking on a page in Chrome 53 under Linux brings up a menu, but it doesn't have a 'Tools' or 'Create application shortcuts' option. – Michael Scheper – 2016-09-18T15:39:17.903

1@MichaelScheper This answer needs updating methinks. In Chromium 53, go to main menu (three vertical dots) -> More tools -> Add to desktop... – piedar – 2016-10-01T00:11:13.583

@piedar: Thanks. I've edited the answer. I'm surprised that you couldn't, since I only have slightly more rep than you on this site, but perhaps it's my rep elsewhere that allows me to edit. – Michael Scheper – 2016-10-04T16:54:19.877

@MichaelScheper My edit was rejected, apparently because it "deviates from the intent" of the original. So the answer remains obsolete. Fantastic.

– piedar – 2016-10-04T17:11:38.413

@piedar, just FYI, edits can be used to update an answer as a supplement to the original answer (and it doesn't hurt to cite a reference in the edit comment so the reviewer can verify it). The problem with your edit was you replaced the answer. – fixer1234 – 2016-10-04T18:30:31.953

@piedar: I suggest you try editing it again, leaving the original answer this time (even though not many people would find the outdated information useful). The additional notes you included look useful. – Michael Scheper – 2016-10-04T21:00:14.380

@MichaelScheper On Windows it also says "Add to desktop..." so I don't think my platform notes are actually necessary. Nice one with the Unicode dots - much better than hotlinking to Google's image server. – piedar – 2016-10-04T21:05:57.727

7

As of Chrome 67, it has changed again. The following works in Chrome 70:

  1. Click the Chrome menu button (⋮ or ☰)
  2. Select More tools → Create shortcut...
  3. Go to chrome://apps and find your new shortcut
  4. Right-click on icon, and select “Open as window”
  5. Optional Right-click again, and select Create shortcuts... to create desktop or menu icons.

Nils von Barth

Posted 2009-09-01T11:19:36.087

Reputation: 191

Note: --app doesn’t have the same behavior. – Nils von Barth – 2018-10-24T18:23:04.173

1

On windows with chrome 73, I can get app mode in the presence of existing chrome windows complete with extensions running like this:

chrome.exe --app=https://duckduckgo.com --new-window

Without --new-window, the --app argument is ignored if there is a running instance of chrome already.

LOAS

Posted 2009-09-01T11:19:36.087

Reputation: 111

1

If you are on mac it is a little more involved; however Lifehacker has an article with a script that I just checked (May 9, 2013) and it works.

http://lifehacker.com/5611711/create-application-shortcuts-in-google-chrome-for-mac-with-a-shell-script

Andrew Burns

Posted 2009-09-01T11:19:36.087

Reputation: 223

The guides downloads are gone – William – 2018-10-29T15:47:50.707

Asked: 2009-09-01T11:19:36.087

Viewed: 105 003 times

Active: 2019-04-04T13:48:23.640