Chrome Memory Saver Mode: How to Use It
Chrome 's Memory Saver mode reduces Chrome's RAM usage by reclaiming memory from background tabs that you're not using. It's enabled by default, but you can disable it at the browser level or for specific websites if it's causing problems with background tabs.
Google Chrome is notorious for being a clunky browser that can hog your memory, and Memory Saver mode aims to solve this problem. Here’s how it works and how to adjust it or disable it completely.
What is memory saving mode in Google Chrome?
Memory Saver mode is a Google Chrome feature designed to reduce the amount of RAM that Google's browser uses . It's available on the Windows, macOS, and Chromebook versions of Chrome. The feature is enabled by default, so you don't need to do anything specific to take advantage of it.
Google introduced Memory Saver to everyone with the release of Chrome 110 in February 2023. Chrome’s Power Saving Mode arrived at the same time. If you can’t find it, make sure you’re running the latest version of the browser. You can find your current version number under the three-dot “…” icon in the Chrome toolbar by clicking Help > About Chrome. Chrome will check for any available updates for Chrome and install them automatically.
How much memory does it provide?
Google claims that with Memory Saver enabled, Chrome uses “up to 40% and 10GB less memory” by freeing up memory in background tabs that you’re not using right now. This depends on how many tabs you have open and how much memory those tabs are using. Memory Saver prioritizes active tabs that you’re using right now while deactivating background tabs that have been open for a while but haven’t been used recently.
When you return to these background tabs, they will reload. This means that you may lose your place if you scroll down on a particularly large web page – or that web applications may stop working until you reload the page. On the plus side, you’re not “wasting” resources on thirsty websites that you get no benefit from.
This feature is arguably most useful on systems with less memory (like budget Chromebooks) or for those who balance web browsing with other memory-intensive activities. If you play games and edit photos or videos while browsing the web with Chrome, you may see a performance boost from the new mode.
If you have a lot of RAM available or would rather not compromise your web browsing experience, you can disable or customize the feature.
How to configure memory saver in Chrome
Memory Saver mode is on by default. You can choose to disable it in Google Chrome, or disable it for specific websites. You should only do this if Memory Saver is causing a problem. (For example, if you need to run a page in the background and Memory Saver is preventing it from working properly.)
To turn off Memory Saver mode entirely, use the three-dot “…” icon in Chrome’s toolbar , then go to Settings > Performance. Flip the switch next to “Memory Saver” and it will be off, with Chrome acting exactly as it did before Google introduced this feature.
Alternatively, you can create a list of websites that always remain active. Click the “Add” button and then type in the domain you want to exclude from the “memory saving” pruning. For Youtube, enter “youtube.com” or for the entire OpenAI group, use a wildcard like “*.openai.com” to whitelist a whole bunch of subdomains.
Do more with Google Chrome
Chrome is the most popular browser in the world. Memory Saver mode will help fix Chrome-related performance issues, but you may also want to check out some tips to make Chrome fast again.
The browser is very popular because of how easy it is to add functionality with extensions, with extensions to enhance the Gmail experience to manage the unhealthy tab habit.