Skip to main content

Chrome for Android can now save up to 70 percent of your data with Data Saver mode

chrome android data saver news google app os
bloomua/123rf
Trying to load websites on your mobile device when utilizing a slow connection can be a chore. You end up wasting needless data as you constantly refresh pages only to end up in frustration. The situation is even worse if you’re on a limited data plan.

Users of Chrome for Android will be happy to know that its Data Saver mode has come to the rescue. Data Saver mode not only saves precious data, it speeds up your experience.

Recommended Videos

Once the mode is enabled, web pages will load without images, resulting in a savings of up to 70 percent of data. You can still load images later if you want by tapping individual ones or selecting all of them at once.

The Data Saver mode on Chrome for Android isn’t new. Google launched the feature last year for both Android and iOS, but at that time it only saved 50 percent of data. It would convert images to the WebP format to make them more compressed and less data hungry. Google was able to pick up an extra 20 percent by eliminating images altogether with this new update.

This feature is most important for emerging markets, and that’s why Google is launching it in India and Indonesia first. Google did say that other countries will follow suit soon.

Google didn’t mention if the update will be made available to iOS devices, but we assume it will at a later date. iPhone and iPad users can still use the older Data Saving mode for a 50 percent savings though. Apple does have something similar called Ad Blocker for its Safari browser, but that’s more about eliminating ads.

To enable Data Saving mode in Chrome for Android, touch the Menu, followed by Settings. Tap on Data Saver under Advanced, and slide the switch to On.

Robert Nazarian
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Robert Nazarian became a technology enthusiast when his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color. Now his biggest…
Google just launched these 5 new features for your Android phone
The display on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Google is bringing a handful of new features to Android phones, including tools to keep users safe during a natural disaster, enhancements to accessibility using AI, and easier music discovery. Simultaneously, the company has reached a critical milestone with Android 15, pushing it closer to its public release in the coming weeks.
Keeping users safe during earthquakes

Google says its remarkable earthquake alert system is now available to users across all American states and territories. It plans to reach the entire target base within the next few weeks. Google has been testing the system, which also relies on vibration readings collected from a phone’s accelerometer, since 2020.

Read more
You can now make your current smartwatch look just like the Pixel Watch 3
The Google Pixel Watch 3 lying on top of a plant.

Using a sideloading APK, you can now make your current Wear OS smartwatch resemble the upcoming Google Pixel Watch 3, even before its official release next month. The Pixel Watch 3, announced last week, will be available in a new size with a larger display and improved components. It will also feature some fancy new watch faces.

To get started, you'll need to download the latest Google Pixel Watch Faces APK (v3.0.119.647124927) on APKMirror. Unfortunately, as Android Police explains, you need to install the APK on your watch, not your phone, to get the new watch faces. As Android Police reminds us, this is a "convoluted process" at best.

Read more
Google Gemini is about to get a lot more useful on your Android phone
Google Gemini app on the Motorola Razr Plus 2024.

Google isn’t planning on hitting the breaks on Gemini anytime soon. After first teasing a number of new extensions during Google I/O 2024, a recent APK teardown from Android Authority has revealed a ton of unannounced, useful new features from Gemini that are soon coming to your Android phone. Gemini is expected to get a variety of new extensions that will allow integration into Google services like Keep, Tasks, and Calendar.

Each of the extensions seems to provide useful features, and Android Authority has demo videos showcasing each. With Google Keep, you can now ask Gemini to create new notes and lists, add information to notes, and add or remove items from lists. Google Tasks now lets you use Gemini to create new tasks, including reminders. It’ll also allow you to view existing tasks and show their due dates.

Read more