How to install Yandex as a homepage in Chrome on Android: a detailed guide

Are you tired of the standard page Google v browser Chrome and want to see the usual one Yandex with its weather, news and quick search when you launch? On smartphones Android this setup takes literally a couple of minutes, but many users are faced with nuances: either the “Make start” button is inactive, or after updating the browser everything is reset. In this article we will analyze three working methods for setting Yandex as the home page in Chrome on Androidincluding bypassing the limitations of the latest versions of the browser, and also give tips on how to fix the changes for a long time.

It is important to understand that Google Chrome and Yandex.Browser are competing products, therefore Google is not interested in simplifying the process of changing the start page. However, there are enough legal ways to achieve the desired result. We tested all instructions on the latest versions of Android 14 and Chrome 125+, so even if you have an older smartphone model (for example, Samsung Galaxy A52 or Xiaomi Redmi Note 10), the methods should work. The main thing is to follow the step-by-step recommendations and check the settings after updates.

Why can’t you just click “Make start” in Chrome?

Many users complain that when opening a site ya.ru in Chrome the usual “Set as start page” button, which is available in the desktop version of the browser, is missing. The fact is that Google purposefully removed this function from the mobile version Chrome back in 2021, citing “simplification of the interface.” In fact, the reason lies in competition: the company does not want users to easily switch to competitors' search engines.

However, you can get around this limitation in several ways:

• 🔧 Use Chrome settings to manually specify the home page address.
• 📥 Install extension (if it is supported by your browser version).
• 🔄 Create shortcut on the desktopthat will open Chrome with the desired URL.

Each of these methods has its pros and cons. For example, the first method is the most reliable, but requires manually entering the address, and the third is the fastest, but does not change the behavior of the browser when opening new tabs. Next, we will analyze each option in detail.

Method 1: Manually setting up the home page in Chrome

This is the most a universal method that works on all versions Android i Chrome. It does not require installation of additional applications and takes no more than a minute. Here are the step-by-step guide:

1. Open Google Chrome on your smartphone.
2. Enter in the address bar ya.ru and wait for the page to load.
3. Tap on the icon ellipsis (⋮) in the upper right corner of the screen.
4. Select Settings.
5. Scroll down and find the section Home Page.
6. Activate the switch Enable home page.
7. In the field Site address enter https://ya.ru (or https://yandex.ruif you want to see an extended version).
8. Click Save.

Now every time you open Chrome or click on the "Home" button (🏠) in the browser it will load Yandex. Please note that this method does not change the new tab page - this will require a different approach (see section about new tabs).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmwares (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung) the path to the home page settings may be different. If you don’t find the section, try searching for “home” in the Chrome settings search.

Method 2: Using a shortcut on the desktop

If the first method did not work (for example, on your version Chrome there is no "Home Page" section), you can go the other way - create a special shortcut on the desktop that will open Chrome immediately from Yandex. This is not exactly a replacement for the start page, but it allows you to quickly get to the desired site.

Instructions:

1. Open Chrome and go to ya.ru.
2. Tap on the icon ellipsis (⋮) → Add to home screen.
3. Name the shortcut (for example, "Yandex Chrome") and click Add.
4. Now, when you click on this shortcut, Chrome will open immediately with Yandex.

The disadvantage of this method is that it does not change the behavior of the browser when opening new tabs or clicking on the "Home" button. But it works even on the oldest ones. versions Android and does not require root access.

Method 3: Changing the new tab page (for advanced)

By default, Chrome opens a new tab with a page Googlewhere quick links, history and search bar are displayed. Replacing it with Yandex is more difficult than just setting the home page, but it is possible to use experimental function flags or third-party ones. applications.

Here's how to do it through flags:

1. Open Chrome and enter in the address bar:

   chrome://flags/#enable-ntp-customization

2. In the drop-down menu, select Enabled.
3. Restart the browser (the button Relaunch will appear at the bottom of the screen).
4. Now open settings Chrome → New Tab Page → Customize.
5. In the section Customize find the option URL of the new tab page and enter https://ya.ru.

Please note that this method may stop working after the update Chromeas the flags are experimental features. Also on some devices (for example Huawei without services Google) the path to the settings may differ.

⚠️ Attention: Changing the flags may result in to unstable operation of the browser. If after setting Chrome it starts to slow down or crash, return the flags to the default state (Default).

Method	Difficulty	Reliability	Changes the new tab?
Manually setting up the home page	⭐	✅ High	❌ No
Shortcut on the desktop table	⭐	✅ Medium	❌ No
Experimental function flags	⭐⭐⭐	⚠️ Low (can be reset)	✅ Yes
Third-party applications (for example, New Tab Redirect)	⭐⭐	✅ Average	✅ Yes

What to do if the settings are reset after the update?

Many users face the problem: after the update Chrome or Android the home page is reset to Google. This happens because Google forces some settings to be reset "to improve the user experience. To avoid this, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Disable automatic updates of Chrome in Google Play (find the application → ellipses → uncheck "Auto-update").
• 📱 Use alternative browserswhere the settings are not reset (for example, Yandex Browser or Firefox).
• 🔧 Install an application to manage settingsfor example SetEdit (requires ADB or root).
• 📌 Pin the tab with Yandex v Chrome (long press on the tab → "Pin").

If you decide to disable auto-update Chrome, do not forget to periodically check for critical security patches manually. Alternative browsers (for example Yandex Browser) often offer more flexible settings for the start page and do not conflict with Googleservices.

How to roll back Chrome to a previous version?

If the update reset your settings, you can try rolling back to a previous version. previous version of the browser. To do this:

1. Uninstall the current version of Chrome.

2. Download the APK file of the desired version from a trusted source (for example, APKMirror).

3. Install it manually, allowing installation from unknown sources.

⚠️ Be careful: older versions may contain vulnerabilities!

Alternative browsers with Yandex support by default

If struggling with the settings Chrome seems too difficult, consider switching to browsers where Yandex already integrated out of the box. Here are the best options for Yandex - the obvious choice if you need the full functionality of Yandex, including Yandex and Yandex in one place. version. Android:

• 🦊 Yandex Browser — an obvious choice if you need the full functionality of Yandex, including Alice, Yandex.Mail And Maps in one place. Supports synchronization with the desktop version.
• 🌐 Bromite - a browser based on Chromium with improved privacy and the ability to customize the start page without restrictions.
• 🔥 Firefox — allows you to install any extensions (including New Tab Override for changing the page of a new tab) and does not impose Googleservices.
• 🛡️ Brave —blocks advertising and trackers, and also supports customization of the start page.

Switching to an alternative browser has its advantages: in addition to solving the problem with the start page, you will receive additional functions (for example, a built-in VPN in Yandex Browser or an ad blocker in BraveHowever, keep in mind that some sites may not work correctly in less popular browsers.

💡

If maximum integration with Yandex services (Mail, Drive, Maps) is important to you, then Yandex Browser is the optimal choice. Suitable for flexible interface customization Firefox.

Solving common problems

When setting up the start page in Chrome users often encounter typical errors. Here are the most common ones and how to solve them. corrections:

Problem	Cause	Solution
No "Home Page" section in settings	Outdated version of Chrome or custom firmware	Update the browser or use the shortcut method
The page is reset to Google after a reboot	Reset settings using Google system services	Disable synchronization with your Google account or use ADB commands to fix the settings
Yandex opens, but weather/news is not displayed	Blocking geolocation or scripts	Allow access to location and disable ad blockers for ya.ru
Home button (🏠) inactive	The setting is hidden in experimental flags	Enter in the address bar chrome://flags/#home-button and enable the flag

If none of the methods worked, check to see if any optimization or cache clearing apps are installed on your device (for example CCleaner or DU Speed Booster) They can also reset the browser settings. It is also worth making sure that there are no viruses on the device that change the browser settings for their own purposes.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up Yandex in Chrome

Is it possible to make Yandex the starting page? page in Chrome on iPhone?

No, iOS Google Chrome does not allow you to change the start page due to limitations. Appleyou can only add ya.ru to bookmarks or create a shortcut on the main screen. An alternative is to use Yandex Browser for. iOS.

Why, after changing the start page in Chrome, the weather from Yandex is not shown?

Most likely, the browser does not have access to your location. Go to settings Android → Applications → Chrome → Permissions and enable LocationAlso check if Yandex scripts are blocked. extensions like uBlock Origin.

How to return the standard Google page if you change your mind?

Open settings Chrome, find the section Home page and either disable the switch or delete the previously entered URL. If you used flags, reset them to state Default and restart the browser.

Will this method work on a tablet? Android?

Yes, all the described methods also work on tablets running Android (for example, Samsung Galaxy Tab or Lenovo Tab). the start page is the mobile version of Yandex (m.ya.ru)?

Is it possible to make the mobile version of Yandex (m.ya.ru) the start page?

Technically yes, but it doesn’t make sense: when opened on a smartphone ya.ru automatically redirects to the mobile version. If you need the desktop version, enter in the home page settings https://ya.ru?desktop=1.