How to activate the new Power saving mode on Google Chrome?

Google has finally decided to make a move regarding Chrome’s energy consumption. The world’s most-used web browser is notoriously power-hungry, but a feature in the latest version should improve things. As How-to-Geek noticed, Chrome 108 comes with a welcome Power Saving mode.

The tool will actually limit tab activity in the background, reduce the smoothness of scrolling animations and the frame rate of videos. Activating it will therefore not be completely imperceptible for users, but should allow to scratch a few percent of battery in the most critical moments.

The feature is still in the testing phase and cannot be accessed directly from the Chrome menu. It must therefore be activated in the advanced settings of the browser. To do this :

• Check that Google Chrome is up to date
• Menu button (three vertical dots) then About Chromium
• Type chrome://flags in the address bar
• In the search field, type Battery
• Pass option Enable the battery saver mode in the settings on Enabled
• Restart your browser
• Go to Chrome settings
• Menu button (three vertical dots) then Settings
• Go to the tab Performance
• Activate the energy saver (at 20% or as soon as the computer is unplugged).

Of course, activating this mode will have an impact on the performance of the browser and may make your navigation a little more painful. If you forgot your charger or if you find that Chrome nibbles too much battery and you are ready to make some concessions on the general fluidity of the software, the option is likely to interest you.