6 Best Ways to Fix Chrome’s Desktop Site Not Working on iPhone

Mobile devices show mobile versions of websites by default. However, smartphone users can still access the desktop version of any website from mobile browsers. However, some Chrome users have reported that they cannot access the desktop version of certain websites because the ‘Request Desktop Site’ feature is not working on their iPhones. If you’re facing such an issue, check out our list of six (6) fixes.

You may encounter this issue if you are using an older version of Chrome on your iPhone. Your iPhone’s screen orientation may also prevent the desktop version of some websites from loading in Chrome. Whatever the case, the fixes listed below will get the ‘Request Desktop Site’ feature working perfectly again.

1. Reload Website

I know it sounds a little pedantic, but you should try this again in a new browser tab. If you have ‘Request Desktop Site’ enabled on a particular website, but Chrome is still displaying the mobile version of the site, reloading the website may help enable the desktop view by force. Yes, Chrome will reload the website by default when you turn on ‘Request Desktop Site’. If nothing changes after the site is automatically reloaded, you should manually reload the website and see if it switches to desktop view.

With ‘Request Desktop Site’ enabled, scroll down the page or tap on the three-dot menu icon in the lower right corner of Google Chrome and then Reload.

2. Zoom Page

Sometimes, when you request the desktop version of a website in your iPhone’s Chrome browser, the feature actually works, but you probably haven’t noticed. For example, changing this Guiding Tech page to desktop view in my iPhone’s Chrome apparently didn’t change anything.

At first I thought the ‘Request Desktop Site’ feature didn’t work until I instinctively swiped (two fingers together) to zoom out the page. Unfortunately! The desktop site feature works, but you may need to manually zoom/resize the page to desktop view.

3. Turn off Portrait Orientation Lock

I have found that in some cases where some websites fail to load the desktop version after enabling the ‘Request Desktop Site’ feature of Google Chrome, disabling the Portrait Orientation Lock and turning my device from landscape to landscape mode works the magic. Perhaps some websites are designed to display only in desktop format if your device’s screen is in landscape orientation.

If Chrome’s ‘Request Desktop Site’ feature is not working on your iPhone, turn off Portrait Orientation Lock and rotate your phone. To turn Orientation Lock off, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone and tap the padlock icon. You should see the message ‘Vertical Orientation Lock: Off’ at the top of your screen.

Now go back to Chrome, request desktop site and turn your device sideways (horizontal orientation). You should now be able to view the desktop version of the website.

4. Update iOS

If your iPhone’s Chrome is still unable to load the desktop version of websites after trying all the above troubleshooting methods, updating the operating system to the latest version may help.

Stage 1: Launch your iPhone’s Settings menu.

Step 2: Choose General.

Stage 3: Tap Software Update.

Note: Make sure you are connected to the internet before checking for software updates.

Your phone will scan if you are running the latest iOS build. If there is any update, download and install it on your device. After installing the OS update, make sure you have the latest version of Chrome installed on your device (check Method #5 below) and try ‘Request Desktop Site’ again to see if it works.

If the ‘Request Desktop Site’ feature is still not working after updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version, as some users have reported, move on to the next troubleshooting tips below.

5. Update Google Chrome

This is one of the best fixes for this issue. Chrome, just like any other app and software, often comes with bugs that change some features of the browser from working properly. In addition to new features and performance improvements, newer app versions come with bug fixes that fix bugs and any glitches you might encounter while using it.

If your iPhone’s Chrome refuses to change websites to desktop view when you enable ‘Request Desktop Site’, you should make sure you are running the latest version of the browser on your device. Follow the steps below to update your browser.

Stage 1: Launch your device’s App Store.

Step 2: Tap the Search icon.

Stage 3: Type Chrome in the search box and tap the Search button on the keyboard.

Step 4: If the Google Chrome app has an Update button next to it, tap it to update the browser. On the other hand, if the button next to the app says Open, you have the latest Google Chrome installed on your device.

If this is the case, or if the issue persists after updating the Chrome app, move down to the next troubleshooting method below.

6. Reinstall Google Chrome

Uninstalling and reinstalling the Chrome browser from your iPhone can also help resolve this issue. This will get rid of cache files and other data that could cause the app to malfunction. Follow the steps below to delete the Chrome app from your iPhone.

Stage 1: Launch the iPhone Settings menu.

Step 2: Choose General.

Stage 3: Next, select iPhone Storage.

Step 4: On the iPhone Storage page, scroll until you find Chrome and tap on it.

Step 5: Now tap on the Delete App button to remove Chrome from your device.

Step 6: Tap Delete App on the pop-up card to confirm uninstalling Chrome and removing all of the app’s data from your device.

Now reinstall Chrome from the App Store and check if the ‘Request Desktop Site’ feature works perfectly. Ideally, it should be.

Desktop View: Anywhere, Anytime

Sometimes viewing a website in desktop view is necessary for several functions to work. Follow the steps outlined below each troubleshooting tip and you should no longer have problems viewing the desktop version of any website in your iPhone’s Google Chrome browser.

Next: Chrome for iOS can drain your iPhone or iPad’s battery faster than usual. Learn what to do to prevent this from happening in the article linked below.