Google Chrome adds performance modes to save memory and battery

Google is rolling out two performance modes to the Google Chrome browser. This automatically frees up memory from inactive tabs and reduces the drain on a laptop’s battery by limiting background tasks and visual effects.

The performance modes can be set via the browser settings. According to Google, these should use up to 40 percent less memory. With the Memory Saver, a speedometer icon will show whether a tab is active or inactive, along with any saved memory.

The Energy Saver mode limits animations, smooth scrolling and video frame rates, among other things. This means that the battery of a laptop should drain less quickly. It is possible to switch on the mode automatically if the battery level drops below twenty percent.

The performance modes for the Chrome browser became announced by Google in December and will be rolled out in the near future for Windows, macOS and ChromeOS. Users can activate the functions before then via the flags ‘chrome://flags/#battery-saver-mode-available’ and ‘chrome://flags/#high-efficiency-mode-available’.

Image: Google