How to Reduce Google Chrome's Memory and CPU Usage

[MacRumors]

Google's Chrome browser has long been criticized for being a system resource hog, which is why Chromium developers have been busy working on ways to free up memory and keep things running smoothly when users have multiple windows and tabs open.

The latest effort in that regard comes in the form of Memory Saver, a new feature that deactivates open tabs you haven't used in a while so that the tabs you are using offer the smoothest possible experience. With Memory Saver enabled, your inactive tabs remain open, and when you access an inactive tab, it reloads automatically.

Google claims the new Memory Saver feature means Chrome uses up to 40% and 10GB less memory. The company says the new performance setting is particularly good at keeping active video and gaming tabs running smoothly.

Google is rolling out Memory Saver mode over the next several weeks globally for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS, but not everyone will see it yet. Fortunately, if the new Settings -> Performance menu is not visible for you, you can activate it manually by using the experimental features in Chrome Flags. The steps below show you how.

How to Enable Memory Saver Mode in Chrome

Before you proceed, be sure to bookmark any important tabs and save anything important that you're working on in Chrome, then update the browser to the latest version available (109.0.5414.119 as of writing).

1. Launch Chrome and paste the following into the address bar: chrome://flags/#high-efficiency-mode-available
2. Next to "Enable the high efficiency mode feature in the settings", change the Default setting to Enabled, then restart Chrome.
   
   
   Now paste the following into the address bar: chrome://settings/performance
3. In the new "Performance" menu, toggle the switch next to Memory Saver to enable it.
   
   
   Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

After you've done that, Memory Saver will be working in the background to free up memory for other tasks. You can can control the mode at any time by clicking Settings in the three-dot menu and selecting the "Performance" sub-menu. It's also here that you can stop Chrome from deactivating specific sites, using the Add button next to "Always keep these sites active."

Google cautions that there are a few settings and activities that may prevent tab deactivation. They include active audio calls or video playback, screen shares, page notifications, active downloads, partially filled forms, and connected devices via USB or Bluetooth.

How to Enable Energy Saver Mode in Chrome

Apart from Memory Saver, Google is also rolling out an Energy Saver mode that makes Chrome automatically limit battery draining tasks when the battery hits 20 percent. It does this by reducing its image capture rate and other background tasks, so you may notice changes in gaming and video performance. Google advises turning it on to extend your device's battery for a long road trip or plane ride.

The mode can be toggled on or off in the same "Performance" page in Settings. If you don't see it and don't want to wait for it to roll out to you, simply follow the same steps as above, but replace the address in Step 1 with chrome://flags/#battery-saver-mode-available and select Enabled next to "Enable the battery saver mode feature in the settings," then restart the browser.

Have you had success with the new Memory Saver or Energy Saver modes in Chrome? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: How to Reduce Google Chrome's Memory and CPU Usage

 

[jonnysods]

Solution = MS Edge. It’s my main browser now, been using it for a year and a bit, very impressed.

 

[krspkbl]

Another tip: You don't need to use Chrome. If you really need to use a Chromium browser for whatever reason then at least use Edge. If you care about the future of the internet and your privacy then you should not be using Chromium at all and that means using Safari (if you don't care about Privacy) or Firefox (If you do care about Privacy) . If anything happens to Firefox or Safari then Google will basically own the internet.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Another tip: You don't need to use Chrome. If you really need to use a Chromium browser for whatever reason then at least use Edge. If you care about the future of the internet and your privacy then you should not be using Chromium at all and that means using Safari (if you don't care about Privacy) or Firefox (If you do care about Privacy) . If anything happens to Firefox or Safari then Google will basically own the internet.

You mean the same Firefox that has data collection turned on by default? At this point between all the adblockers that limit tracking, cookies, etc it's mostly about what browser you want to use. All of them collect data and if you don't think Google already "owns" the internet then you're sadly mistaken. Firefox will never overtake Chome/Edge or Safari and if it did Firefox would have a hard time resisting the money involved with being #1.

Additionally, doesn't matter what browser you use if you're logging on to social media sites and other web services by Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc.

 

[supremedesigner]

Solution = MS Edge. It’s my main browser now, been using it for a year and a bit, very impressed.

Same here. I have been using Mac Edge for work. I had no issues with it.

 

[xxray]

Step 1: uninstall Chrome

 

[now i see it]

I don’t really understand the logic behind having 10 (or 100) browser tabs active in the background. Seems unnecessary and sloppy to me.
A few tabs, OK, but a dozen or more?

 

[Bustycat]

I can’t follow as I don’t have Chrome.

 

[ManDark]

Step 1: uninstall Chrome

little correction.

Step 1: download over Chrome an alternate Internet Browser
Step 2: start using an alternate Internet Browser
Step 3: stop Using Chrome
Step 4: Uninstall chrome

Problem with Chrome using to much memory solved ;-)

:-D

 

[GraXXoR]

Control your tabs. Simples.

 

[MauiPa]

Trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?

 

[discofuel]

I had to buy a new M2 Macbook Air with 16GB of ram just to use Chrome!

My 8GB M1 started freezing after about 10 tabs.

 

[TwoBytes]

I wish Microsoft Teams would adopt a memory saving features..

 

[SwiftPioneer]

"How to Reduce Google Chrome's Memory and CPU Usage"

Step 1: Don't use Chrome

Done

 

[thettareddast]

The fact that this statement exists is wild

“Google claims the new Memory Saver feature means Chrome uses up to 40% and 10GB less memory.”

My brother in Christ how do you consume up to 10GB of memory in the first place

 

[Digitalguy]

I use Chrome everywhere, except the iPad. It's also my password manager. If this features does not sync across devices it's a good feature for devices with less RAM. But in some devices I don't want tabs to reloads (e.g. youtube videos which I have not finished to watch etc.), so if this has to be the same in every device, no thanks.

 

[scheinderrob]

with upcoming manifest 3, just move away from chrome entirely.

 

[fatTribble]

Just another benefit of uninstalling Chrome, saving memory

 

[Captain Trips]

I had to buy a new M2 Macbook Air with 16GB of ram just to use Chrome!

My 8GB M1 started freezing after about 10 tabs.

Are you sure that will be enough for future versions of Chrome?

I think one should get a maxed out MacBook Pro M2 Max, to Chrome-proof, I mean future-proof, a new computer.

 

[MBAir2010]

a huge NO vote for Edge™

I loved that browser

until 2021 when Microsoft "bADsterised" the personal homepage
by ignore my settings and shoving fake news and garbage sell-sites in my face when I launched the program.
I understand pro-edge people here does not want to hear or read this an will be MAD at me
but that is MY experience and trashed the app, for good.

 

[-BigMac-]

Solution: Dont use Google Chrome👍🏻

 

[beanbaguk]

Solution = MS Edge. It’s my main browser now, been using it for a year and a bit, very impressed.

This. This. And I'll say it again. This.

Edge is a hidden gem in Microsoft's software stack. It's as if all the best developers work in this project, and the result is probably the best Chromium build I've used.

Edge has had energy management for months now and it works brilliantly. It doesn't get anywhere near as bloated as Chrome, and updates are frequent and bring many cool features. (They were also one of the first browsers to offer native Apple Silicon build. Months and months before Google managed to roll a version for Chrome).

I've been using it for just over 2 years now, and I haven't looked back. I recommend it to everyone.

 

[himanshumodi]

Save 10 GB!!! How much memory does Chrome think I have?

 

[beanbaguk]

a huge NO vote for Edge™

I loved that browser

until 2021 when Microsoft "bADsterised" the personal homepage
by ignore my settings and shoving fake news and garbage sell-sites in my face when I launched the program.
I understand pro-edge people here does not want to hear or read this an will be MAD at me
but that is MY experience and trashed the app, for good.

You could have simply disabled it?

 

[LukeHarrison]

Firefox, thirty seconds adjusting settings and uBlock Origin really is all you need. Made the switch back a couple of years ago and have never been happier with my browsing experience. Even use Firefox on my iPhone. I know the browser engine is the same as Safari (for now, let's see what the EU have to say about that) but having it sync with my desktop is nice.