Learn how to save battery life and lower memory usage when running Google Chrome on your Mac so you can browse longer on a single charge.
Memory Saver and Energy Saver modes in Google Chrome can lower memory usage by thirty percent while reducing battery consumption. Both features are also available in Chrome for Windows and ChromeOS. Follow along as we show you how to toggle Memory Saver and Energy Saver in the desktop edition of Chrome.
Use Energy Saver in Google Chrome
Chrome is a notorious power hog; otherwise, there would be no Enter Energy Saver. This setting lets Chrome save some juice when running on battery power by reducing its image capture rate and limiting background activity and visual effects.
Once the setting is enabled, Chrome automatically enters this mode when your MacBook is unplugged from power or the battery charge falls below twenty percent. Conversely, Energy Saver deactivates when the computer is plugged into power.
Follow the steps right ahead to toggle Chrome’s Energy Saver mode on your laptop.
- Click Chrome’s three-dotted menu in the top-right corner and choose Settings.
- Select Performance on the left side.
- Toggle the switch next to Energy Saver under the Power heading on the right.
- Choose whether to use Energy Saver only when the battery is at twenty percent or lower or automatically whenever you unplug your notebook.
Note: The Energy Safer option doesn’t show up on desktop machines such as Mac mini, Mac Studio, and iMac as they’re always connected to power.
Also see: 40+ tips to save battery on your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
Use Memory Saver mode in Google Chrome
The Memory Saver mode will free up the RAM from inactive Chrome tabs. “When on, Chrome frees up memory from inactive tabs,” reads the description. “This gives active tabs and other apps more computer resources and keeps Chrome fast.”
Don’t worry, a suspended tab is automatically reloaded when you switch to it. Google claims Memory Saver can cut down Chrome’s memory usage by up to thirty percent. To avoid tab reloading and maximize performance, you can cherry-pick tabs that will always remain in memory. Google says these settings and activities will prevent Chrome from suspending an inactive tab:
- Audio or video playback
- Screen sharing
- Web notifications
- Active downloads
- Partially filled forms
- USB or Bluetooth devices
Follow these steps to turn on the Memory Saver feature in Chrome.
- Click the three-dotted menu in Chrome’s top-right corner and choose Settings.
- Select Performance on the lefthand side.
- Turn on the switch next to Memory Saver on the righthand side.
- Pick theModerate, Balanced, or Maximum setting. Google recommends the Balanced setting, but feel free to experiment and see which one works best for you.
To exclude specific websites from Memory Saver and always keep them active, hit the Add button next to “Always keep these sites active” and choose one or more open tab or enter a site’s URL then hit Add once again, per Google’s support page.
If tabs are reloading frequently, follow the steps above to turn Memory Saver off.
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