It’s a well-worn stereotype that iOS applications tend to receive upgrades before their Android equivalents. Surprisingly, even Google’s app, a tool one might expect to transcend such norms, has perpetuated this trend. For years, a particularly useful feature has been available exclusively to iOS users. However, Google is now reportedly taking steps to rectify this inexplicable disparity.
In the past, the Google app on iOS has enabled users to switch their search to incognito mode directly from the in-app search bar. This capability has been conspicuously absent from the Android version of the app, until now. An incognito feature has been detected in a beta version of the Google app for Android, indicating that this functionality will soon be implemented.
Similar to the iOS app, when a new search is initiated, a toggle appears above the keyboard. In the Android version, this toggle is labelled “History Off Search”, as opposed to “Incognito Mode” on iOS. Activating the toggle ensures that the search results don’t open within the Google app, but via a Chrome Custom Tab, which is already in incognito mode.
Once engaged, this mode allows for continued browsing and link clicking, all activities are conducted in incognito mode. Should a link be opened in Chrome, the browser will also automatically launch in incognito mode.
This is not the only feature Android users have been missing out on. Another less apparent iOS functionality allows users to switch the Google app to incognito mode by tapping and holding on their avatar. Unfortunately, this is yet another feature unavailable for Android users.
While the new incognito toggle has not yet been activated on the Google app for Android, it is expected to become available in an upcoming update.
Given the prevailing stereotype, it is perplexing that Google would initially launch an incognito feature on a competitor’s operating system. If Android users were aware of this discrepancy, they might feel frustrated, especially considering this is not the first time Google has prioritized iOS over Android.
What is the unique feature that the Google app has on iOS but not on Android?
The feature that allows users to switch a search to incognito mode directly from the search bar within the app had been exclusive to iOS.
Has Google taken steps to correct this disparity?
Yes, Google plans to implement this feature on Android. The functionality was recently spotted in a beta version of the Google app for Android.
Is there any other unique feature on the Google app for iOS?
Yes. iOS users can tap and hold on their avatar to switch the Google app to incognito mode, a feature not available to Android users.
