Google has announced new performance settings in its Chrome browser, including the Memory Saver feature, for improving performance, freeing up memory, and making web browsing more fluid.
Memory Saver is a toggleable mode that Google claims will use 40 percent less memory by kicking idle background tabs out of RAM.
According to Google, any inactive tabs will be reloaded when you need them, which may result in the loss of your tab state, but you can turn this feature on and off at any time.
“Memory Saver mode frees up memory from tabs you aren’t currently using so the active websites you’re browsing have the smoothest possible experience,” Chrome Group Product Manager Mark Chang explained
Suspended inactive tabs will be restarted naturally when the users require them. Users can also mark the most important websites so that Memory Saver does not suspend tabs.
Google also introduced Energy Saver, which limits Chrome’s battery consumption. When your battery reaches 20%, it will automatically activate and “limit background activity and visual effects for websites with animations and videos.” Like Memory Saver, this mode can be turned off.
The features are now available with the release of Chrome 108 and will be available globally in the coming weeks for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Individual sites can be exempted from going to sleep, or these features can be turned off entirely.
The sources for this piece include an article in Bleepingcomputer.