ChromeOS’ redesigned Settings app refreshed its appearance and reorganized how settings are navigated. The preview instructions published in January 2024 applied to ChromeOS 120; a later report found the redesign in ChromeOS 124 beta. Neither report establishes that a particular Chromebook has the redesign today.
What changed in the ChromeOS Settings redesign?
The redesign addressed both the look of Settings and the way its options are grouped. Chrome Unboxed’s January 2024 preview described the app as a holdout from ChromeOS’ broader Material You refresh. Its updated interface made the sidebar more prominent and divided settings into clearer sections.
| Area | Earlier interface | Redesigned interface |
|---|---|---|
| Visual styling | The older Settings interface lacked the redesign’s more pronounced Material You treatment. | Rounded corners, bolder icons, a more strongly outlined sidebar, and theme-colored selected sections. |
| Navigation | Settings were presented in a single, longer list. | Sidebar subheadings group options, and selecting a category such as Network opens that category on its own. |
| Functionality | No specific capability change was identified in the January 2024 preview. | The report characterized the update mainly as visual and organizational, not as a necessary addition of new features. |
These comparisons describe the redesign reported by Chrome Unboxed, not a guarantee that every ChromeOS version or Chromebook has the same interface. Chrome Unboxed’s January 13, 2024 preview covers the ChromeOS 120-era version.
How do I get the new Settings app?
Availability depends on the ChromeOS version and release channel on the device. In January 2024, the preview was shown on ChromeOS 120 by enabling a feature flag and restarting. That is a historical procedure, not a reliable set of current instructions: Chromium’s flag metadata records expiry milestones for the flag, including 128 and 132 in source history, and those entries do not establish whether it is available on a Chromebook now.
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- Check the Chromebook’s current ChromeOS version and channel. Do this before following older instructions; a version number or channel that differs from the January 2024 preview may not expose the same flag or interface.
- Do not assume the old flag is still present. The preview used
chrome://flags/#os-settings-revamp-wayfindingon ChromeOS 120, then required a restart. The Chromium flag metadata records expiry milestones, but does not verify availability on your current device. - Prefer the Stable channel if reliability matters more than early access. Google describes Stable as the best choice for avoiding crashes and other problems; major updates reach non-stable channels earlier. See Google’s guide to switching between Stable, Beta, and Dev software.
A later milestone was reported by 9to5Google on April 3, 2024: the redesign appeared in ChromeOS 124 beta. That report establishes a beta sighting, not a universal rollout or a current guarantee for every Chromebook. Read the ChromeOS 124 beta report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why does my Chromebook’s Settings menu look different?
ChromeOS version and release channel are two relevant factors: the redesigned interface was reported in a ChromeOS 124 beta, while the earlier preview used ChromeOS 120. A difference between devices can therefore reflect different software versions or rollout status. The reports do not establish which interface a specific device should have today; check its installed version and channel rather than treating either 2024 report as a current rollout schedule.
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