Google Chrome removes its data saving mode on Android – let’s celebrate

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When version 100 of Google’s Chrome browser becomes available for download, it will be without Lite mode which uses less mobile data on Android devices when browsing the web, and I couldn’t be happier.

In a blog post, the company explained that it saw no need for a feature to minimize data usage in its web browser, when the amount of cellular data increased, while the cost remained the same.

The feature arrived in 2014 as a way to load web pages with less data used, which could be useful for those with a small data plan for their smartphone.

Having sold phones and data plans to customers in a previous career, the end of this feature is only good news for me, but mainly for the customer who reads their content every day from Chrome on a mobile device .

When is Chrome 100 coming?

According to Google’s roadmap status page for Chrome, version 100 will arrive on March 29, with a beta around March 3.

This will apply to all versions of Chrome – from its mobile to desktop versions on PC, Mac, and Chromebook.

But with the Data Saver feature only on Android versions, many users won’t miss it, especially since there are data saving features built into Android 12 for all apps anyway, by accessing Settings > Cellular Data.

Having worked in a phone shop for years before changing careers to become a writer, helping customers with their phones and the data they would be using, would be a routine job for me. Some came to me asking why they had received an SMS indicating that they were at 80% of their monthly data consumption.

Looking at how many data apps would be used, a web browser would usually reign at the top of the list. But that was at a time when 2GB of data per month would be normal to see, not the 150GB per month or unlimited plans we all see advertised.

Google Chrome Logo

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

But when a “lite” mode appears on a browser or a social media application like Facebook, it will degrade the experience. I remember loading pixelated images instead, or removing some content so the text was all over the place.

However, it’s finally time to see the back of these features – they only hinder, not help the experience if you’re trying to search for something or read the latest Chrome news on your Samsung S22.

As Google Chrome hits a century of version number, it’s great to see that disappear and instead enrich the content available for your interests across the web.

However, Firefox is also approaching version 100, so it’s possible that we’ll also see a historic feature coming from Mozilla. March is shaping up to be a turbulent time for web browsers on many devices, and I’m here for it.

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