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How Do You Inspect on Chrome Mobile?

Published in Chrome DevTools Mobile Debugging 3 mins read

To inspect Chrome on a mobile device like Android, you typically use Chrome DevTools on your desktop computer connected to the mobile device via USB.

Inspecting web pages or applications running in Chrome on your mobile device allows developers to debug layouts, performance issues, and JavaScript execution directly on the device. The standard method involves using the Chrome DevTools interface on your desktop browser to remotely debug the mobile content.

Here is the process based on the provided information:

  1. Prepare Your Desktop Chrome:

    • Open Chrome on your desktop.
    • In the address bar, type chrome://inspect.
    • Press Enter. This opens the "Inspect devices" page, which is the hub for remote debugging.

  2. Prepare Your Android Device:

    • Ensure your Android device is connected to your computer via a USB cable.
    • Make sure USB Debugging is enabled on your Android device. (This is typically found in the Developer Options section of your device's Settings. If you don't see Developer Options, you usually need to tap the "Build number" multiple times in the About Phone settings).
    • If prompted on your phone, authorize the computer for USB debugging.
    • Open the website you want to inspect in the Chrome browser on your Android device.

  3. Start Inspecting:

    • Return to the chrome://inspect page on your desktop Chrome.
    • Your Android device, along with the open tabs in Chrome on that device, should now appear listed under the "Devices" section on the Chrome DevTools interface.
    • Locate the specific device tab you want to inspect from the list.
    • Click Inspect next to the listed device tab.

This action will open a new Chrome DevTools window on your desktop, providing you with familiar tools (Elements, Console, Sources, Network, etc.) to inspect and debug the web page or application running on your connected mobile device.

Summary Table:

Step Action on Desktop Chrome Action on Android Device Outcome
Setup Type chrome://inspect Connect via USB, Enable USB Debugging, Authorize Computer Devices page loads, connection established
Open Page Open the website/app in Chrome Tab becomes available for inspection
Inspect Find device/tab on list, Click Inspect DevTools opens for the mobile tab on desktop

Key Considerations:

  • USB Debugging: This is a crucial prerequisite on your Android device. Ensure it's enabled and authorized for your computer.
  • Chrome Versions: For best compatibility, ensure your desktop and mobile Chrome versions are relatively close.
  • Troubleshooting: If your device doesn't appear, check the USB cable, ensure USB debugging is enabled and authorized, and restart Chrome on both devices.

This remote debugging setup provides full access to the Chrome DevTools suite, allowing for comprehensive inspection and debugging of your mobile web content.

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