Set up Chrome Memory Saver for background tabs

Chrome's Memory Saver can deactivate tabs you are not currently using to free memory for active work. The tab remains visible, but its page reloads when you return. That can help with a crowded browser, although it cannot make a demanding active page use less memory by itself.

This setting is for Chrome on a computer. Google says Chrome's performance settings cannot be personalized this way on Android or iOS. See Chrome's performance guide for the current controls.

Turn Memory Saver on

1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. Select the three-dot menu, then Settings.
3. Choose Performance in the sidebar.
4. Turn on Memory Saver and select a deactivation level.

Google describes Moderate as waiting longer before deactivation, Balanced as a middle option, and Maximum as deactivating inactive tabs sooner. Start with Balanced and change it if tabs reload too often or the computer still needs more available memory. Menu labels can change as Chrome updates.

Keep selected sites active

In the same Performance settings, find the option to keep sites active and add the addresses that need it. This can be useful for a site where a reload interrupts a long-running task. Keep the list short: every exception reduces the number of tabs Memory Saver can deactivate.

Save important work in a web app according to that app's own instructions. Google lists partially filled forms, active audio or video, screen sharing, downloads and pinned tabs among activities or conditions that can prevent deactivation. Those protections do not guarantee that every site will preserve every unsaved change after any browser or system interruption.

You can also enable the inactive-tab appearance option in Performance settings to make deactivated tabs easier to recognize. A return visit may take longer because the page needs to reload.

Check whether it helps

Work normally with your usual tabs and see whether switching between active pages feels more responsive. If a particular site is slow while it is the active tab, investigate that site or close other unnecessary work rather than expecting inactive-tab deactivation to fix it.

Chrome can display tab memory usage in its hover preview on supported desktop versions. Use that as a clue, not a complete measurement of all system resources. Closing an unneeded tab or extension may also release resources, but save your work first. If a work page depends on a live session, check its behavior before adding it to the exception list. An exception keeps that site available at the cost of additional memory.

If a work or school browser has a disabled setting, an administrator may manage it. Ask the administrator before changing managed settings. If reloads interfere with your workflow, add a specific site exception or turn Memory Saver off in the same Performance screen.