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

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

Mobile devices display mobile versions of websites by default. That said, smartphone users can still access the desktop version of any website on mobile browsers. However, some Chrome users have reported that they cannot access the desktop version of certain websites because the “Request desktop site” feature does not work on their iPhone. If you are also facing such a problem, check out our list of six (6) fixes.

You may experience this issue if you are using an outdated version of Chrome on your iPhone. The orientation of your iPhone display could also prevent the desktop version of some websites from loading on Chrome. Whatever the case, the fixes listed below will allow the “Request Office Site” function to work perfectly again.

1. Reload the website

I know it sounds a little pedantic, but you should try again in a new browser tab. If you’ve enabled the “Request a desktop site” feature on a particular website, but Chrome still displays the mobile version of the site, reloading the website could force the desktop to be activated. Yes, Chrome reloads the default website when you enable the “Request a desktop site” feature. If nothing changes after the automatic reload of the site, you need to reload the website manually and check if it turns into desktop view.


Correction of chrome request office site not working iphone 05

Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 04

With “Request a desktop site” enabled, swipe down on the page, or tap the three-dot menu icon in the lower-right corner of Google Chrome and tap Reload.

2. Zoom on the page

Sometimes when you ask for the desktop version of a website on your iPhone’s Chrome browser, the feature works indeed, but you probably haven’t noticed it. Changing this Guiding Tech page to desktop view on my iPhone’s Chrome, for example, didn’t change anything at first glance.

At first, I thought the “Request a desktop” feature didn’t work until I was instinctively pushed to zoom out on the page (by pinching two fingers together). Alas! The desktop site functionality works, but you may need to manually zoom / resize the page to view it yourself.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 06
Activation of “Request an office site” (regular)

Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 07
Activation of “Request an office site” (Zoom out)

3. Disable portrait orientation lock

In some cases, when Google Chrome was unable to load the desktop version of certain websites after activating the “ Request a desktop site ” feature, I discovered that disabling Portrait Orientation Lock and rotating horizontal of my device in landscape mode worked like magic. Some websites may be designed to be displayed only in desktop format if your device is displayed in landscape orientation.

If Chrome’s “desktop request site” isn’t working on your iPhone, turn off portrait orientation lock and rotate your phone. To deactivate the orientation lock, swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone, and tap the padlock icon. You should see a message “Portrait orientation lock: off” at the top of your screen.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 08

Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 09

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

4. Update iOS

If Chrome on your iPhone still can’t load the desktop version of websites after trying all of the above troubleshooting methods, updating its operating system to the latest version might help.

Step 1: Launch the Settings menu on your iPhone.

2nd step: Select General.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 10

Step 3: Tap Software update.


Correction of the chrome request office site not working iphone 11

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 version. If an update is available, download and install it on your device. After installing the operating system update, make sure you have the latest version of Chrome installed on your device (check method # 5 below) and try the ‘Request desktop site’ feature again ‘to see if it works.

If the “Request Office Site” feature still doesn’t work after updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS – as some users have reported – go to the following troubleshooting tips below.

5. Update Google Chrome

This is one of the best fixes for this problem. Chrome, like all other applications and software, usually has bugs that affect the functionality of certain browser features. In addition to new features and performance improvements, newer versions of the applications come with bug fixes that correct errors and malfunctions that you may encounter while using it.

If Chrome on your iPhone refuses to change websites in desktop view when you enable the “Request a desktop site” feature, you need to make sure you’re using the latest version of the browser on your device. To update your browser, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the App Store on your device.


Correction of the chrome request office site not working iphone

2nd step: Tap the Search icon.


Correction of chrome request office site not working iphone 01

Step 3: Type Chrome in the search box and press the Search button on the keyboard.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 02

Step 4: If there is an Update button next to the Google Chrome app, tap it to update the browser. If, on the other hand, the button next to the application says Open, you have installed the latest version of Google Chrome on your device.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 03

If so, or if the problem persists after updating the Chrome app, continue to the following troubleshooting method below.

6. Reinstall Google Chrome

Uninstalling and reinstalling the Chrome browser from your iPhone can also help resolve this issue. This will delete the cache files and other data that could cause the application to malfunction. To remove the Chrome app from your iPhone, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the iPhone Settings menu.

2nd step: Select General.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 12

Step 3: Then select iPhone Storage.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 13

Step 4: Scroll until you find Chrome on the iPhone storage page and tap on it.


Correction of chrome request office site not working iphone 14

Step 5: Now press the Remove Application button to uninstall Chrome from your device.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 15

Step 6: Tap Remove app on the context map to confirm uninstalling Chrome and removing all app data from your device.


Fixed chrome request office site not working iphone 16

Now reinstall Chrome from the App Store and check if the “Request desktop site” feature works perfectly. Ideally, this should.

Then:

Chrome for iOS can drain your iPhone or iPad battery faster than normal. Find out what you need to do to prevent this from happening in the linked article below.

Leave a Reply