Google Chrome on the desktop to add memory saver and battery saver mode features into new performance settings. Currently, Google calls the feature as high efficiency mode. The feature aims to save laptop battery and improve memory by snoozing inactive tabs and making them load page contents when you click them. You can compare this to Edge sleeping tabs. Here is how you can early test and enable the new features in Chrome.
Google is always looking to improve Chrome’s performance.
With multi-process architecture and other features, Chrome may consume more memory, and system resources and drains the battery quickly. This has been complained about by most users.
Chrome uses Partitionalloc tech and closes profiles when not in use to save memory.
Chrome is getting Memory Saver and Battery saver modes
Now, What’s happening?
Google is adding a new performance section to the settings page at chrome://settings/performance for users to turn on and use memory saver and battery saver modes.
Keep in mind, that battery saver mode may not appear straight away unless your device is running on battery.
What is a memory saver? How does it work in Chrome?
Chrome’s new feature aims to enhance memory consumption as much as possible by discarding idle tabs.
FYI, Tab discarding was built into Chrome a long time ago.
Here is how memory saver mode works when activated according to the description:
When the memory saver is on, Chrome reclaims memory from tabs you aren’t actively using. This frees up your computer’s resources for other tasks and keeps Chrome speedy. Inactive tabs appear empty and automatically reload when you click them.
What is a battery saver and how it works in Chrome?
The feature setting description says when the battery saver is on, Chrome conserves battery power by limiting background activity and visual effects, such as smooth scrolling and video frame rates.
Chrome offers options to turn the battery saver on when the system is unplugged and when the battery is low.
Enable Memory saver and battery saver features in Chrome
- Visit chrome://flags
- Search for battery saver and efficiency mode
- Enable the following experimental features
Enable the battery saver mode in Settings
Enable the high efficiency mode feature in Settings
High efficiency mode includes different options to try out:
You can enable efficiency mode in Chrome with tab discarding for 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 1 hour, and 30 seconds.
After selecting the preferred option, restart the browser.
Upon relaunch, click on the menu and select settings to notice the new Performance section.
From there, you can enable a Memory saver and (battery saver may be also if you’re running a laptop).
Note: The new features are being tested and available in Canary to try out.
Edge also has efficiency Mode built-in
The feature is not new, Microsoft Edge has efficiency mode built-on sleeping tabs.
The efficiency mode minimizes power usage by saving system resources.
With sleeping tabs enabled, it puts background tabs to sleep after 5 mins of inactivity.
The side effect of this mode when you won’t interact with the browser is animations may get slow down and videos get less smooth.
Final words:
Google is working to improve Chrome memory and battery consumption on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, and Lacros platforms. The company is readying a performance settings page in Chrome 107 canary with the ability for users to enable memory and battery saver mode and benefit from them.
Chrome may look to achieve this by discarding inactive after the time period chosen by users. As of now, these performance features are in the early stage, and may take a while for you to see them in pre-release and public versions of Chrome.
What’s your take on Chrome’s efficiency mode and new performance settings that look to address memory and battery life issues? Let us know in the comments below.
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