

Looking for a web browser with a specific feature

Discussion in 'Android Apps & Games' started by pls2000, Feb 4, 2021.

  1. pls2000

    pls2000 Lurker
    Thread Starter

    I'm using the Google Chrome browser, and looking at a web site whose type is too small to read. I can do the two finger reverse pinch and expand the page, but now the lines are longer than the screen and you have to constantly scroll to read the text.

    The first Android phone I had, years ago, had a browser that worked differently. When you did the reverse pinch on text, the text got larger and reflowed to fit the screen. Much nicer and easier to read.

    Is there currently a web browser for Android that work that way?


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  2. Brian706

    Brian706 I like turtles!

    Curious what your old phone was? I remember my old htc phone did this and I think it was a feature of their ui.

    I don't know of a browser that does this but you might be able to remedy the problem by opening the chrome settings and choose accessibility. From there you can adjust the text scaling.
    Dannydet likes this.
  3. pls2000

    pls2000 Lurker
    Thread Starter

    It was an HTC. I don't remember which model.

    The problem with the accessibility setting is that it doesn't work for all web sites. And way too many web designers don't understand that there is a maximum line length that is easily readable.
  4. Brian706

    Brian706 I like turtles!

    I just tested the simplified view in accessibility settings and that does what you're looking for. I'm not sure if it works on all websites though.

    Also, doing a little googling, I found people mention opera browser for this feature and also dolphin browser. So you might want to check those out if the simplified view doesn't do the trick for you.
  5. puppykickr

    puppykickr Android Expert

    Have you noticed whether or not the sites you mention have a mobile version?

    I run into your issue sometimes with sites that only have desktop type sites.

    Anyway, a usual fix for me is to use landscape mode on the device.

    Of course, your keyboard will need adjustment if not set up for this mode.

    A browser feature that I think automatically does as you wish (with/without the pinch) is called 'text reflow'.

    I can't say that I like it much.

    Generally, on a site like that, I can double tap and it will enlarge enough to fill the screen, but not exceed the edges to prevent constant scrolling.

    Often enough, I still need to utilize landscape mode AND the doubletap (along with a set of reading glasses).



    Lightning is a superior browser with 'text reflow' as a setting option.

    Midori is a version of the same with some nice extras.

    There are other versions as well.
    Brian706 and Milo Williamson like this.

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