Unlocking Google Chrome's Hidden Power-Saving Tools for Enhanced Efficiency and Longevity

Unlocking Google Chrome’s Hidden Power-Saving Tools for Enhanced Efficiency and Longevity

Google Chrome gets better – a lot better.

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Google has finally rolled out to the mainstream Memory Saver and Energy Saver features into the Chrome browser for Windows, MacOS, and ChromeOS.

These features are rolling out to everyone in the latest Chrome 110 update. I’ve been using these features since they were rolled out as experimental features in Chrome 108, and I have to say that I’m impressed by the improvements they bring.

But I’m hearing from several users who aren’t seeing the settings for these features.

Also: If you use Google Chrome, you need to install this feature now

Don’t worry, here’s how to switch them on.

How to find Google Chrome’s new battery and memory saver features

1. Make sure you’re running Chrome 110

You can check which version you are on by going to the browser’s settings and choosing About Chrome, or by typing the following into the address bar and pressing Enter:

chrome://settings/help

If you are not yet running version 110 or higher, you need to update (which you can do from the screen that gives you the version information).

One rub here is that Google is dropping support for Windows 7 and Windows 8 with this release, so if you’re still using these aging operating systems, you don’t get this update.

This version of Chrome – Chrome 110 – is up to date.

Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

2. Check your Settings for Performance

Click on the three dots, then Settings, and look for Performance in the left-hand column.

If it’s there, you’re good.

Also: 3 Google Chrome extensions to boost productivity that I’d never heard of before

Note that the Battery Saver feature only shows up on laptops.

If it’s not there, read on.

Click here

3. No Performance? Do this

OK, still not seeing Performance or the Memory Saver and Battery Saver in Settings?

To display Memory Saver, type the following into the address bar and press Enter:
chrome://flags/#high-efficiency-mode-available
Change the drop-down box to Enabled.
To display Battery Saver (only do this for laptops), type the following into the address bar and press Enter:
chrome://flags/#battery-saver-mode-available
Change the drop-down box to Enabled.

After making these changes, you’ll need to relaunch the browser (you can click on the button that will appear at the bottom on the page to do this).

These are the settings that need to be changed to Enabled.

Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET