Bing Chat invites are showing up for Google Chrome users
Some users have seen a prompt to use the new Bing when browsing in Google Chrome.
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What you need to know
Bing Chat is an AI-powered chatbot that brings together web search and artificial intelligence. Up until now, Bing Chat has been limited to the Microsoft Edge browser, at least when referring to the desktop. Microsoft has been open about the fact that Bing Chat would eventuallymake its way to other browsers, but we haven’t seen any movement on that front. That is, until today when our Kevin Okemwa opened up Google Chrome.
When Okemwa launched Chrome, he was presented with a prompt to “Try the new AI powered Bing in Chrome.” Clicking on that prompt openedthis pageabout the new Bing and asked him to enable theMicrosoft Bing extension.
Enabling the extension sets Bing as your default search engine and opens the Bing homepage. It does not, however, provide access to the new Bing. If you try to use Chat mode, you’ll see a screen saying “Chat mode is only available when you have access to the new Bing.”
Signing into a Microsoft account that does have access to the new Bing does not allow the chatbot to work on Chrome, at least in our testing.
When Microsoft launched Bing Chat earlier this year, many were disappointed about the fact that it was limited to Microsoft Edge. That led to people creating extensions that provided access toBing Chat on any browser. Vivaldi also came up with a workaround to let people use Bing Chat bypretending to be Microsoft Edge.
These were always going to be temporary workarounds as Microsoft worked on official support. It seems that day isn’t too far off, as Microsoft is now asking people to use Bing Chat in Chrome.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft for clarification regarding the prompt and if the company is testing access to the new Bing on Google Chrome. We’ll update this piece when we receive more information.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
