Google Chrome to Kill Lite Mode as Data Gets More Affordable

Urian B., Tech Times 24 February 2022, 11:02 am

Google has announced that they will be killing off the Chrome Lite Mode as data gets more affordable. The initial purpose of the browser was to provide easier access to those without access to that much mobile data.

Chrome to Retire Lite Mode After 8 Years Since Its Release

According to the story by XDA-developers, Lite Mode was known as one of the classic Chrome features and as per an official announcement and the release of the Chrome 100, the browser is expected to die soon.

Lite Mode was originally known as Google Chrome's "Data Saver," which is a feature that was originally released in 2014 as part of Chrome for Android. Currently, as mobile data becomes more and more affordable and "easily accessible around the world," Lite Mode will no longer be as useful as it once was.

Lite Mode to Shut Down With Chrome 100 Release

Aside from more affordable access to mobile data, Google's AMP initiative is also another reason for shutting down Lite Mode. To add, the company reportedly thinks that it is now safe to retire the older feature "without negatively impacting the browsing experience for mobile users."

Lite Mode is expected to bid farewell upon the upcoming "milestone Chrome 100 release on the stable channel," which is a change that is expected to affect not just the latest version of Chrome but also other older builds as well.

Google Chrome Support Manager Gives Statement on Lite Mode Shut Down

As per a Chrome Support Manager Craig, the Chrome M100 release on March 29 to the stable channel will officially turn off a Chrome feature that was initially introduced back in 2014, Lite Mode.

The Chrome Support Manager also noted that the feature was initially created to help people save when it comes to mobile data and help web pages load faster. As of the moment, Lite Mode is still currently available and accessible through the Settings page of Chrome found under the "Advanced."

How Google Made Lite Mode Faster and Lighter

When Lite Mode is turned on, Chrome will then use Google servers to increase the loading page speed and help users save data. Pages that require more data and load slower are then identified and reportedly sent through the company's servers to compress them.

Lite Mode, however, is currently only available on Android devices. As per an explanation on the official Google support page, when users turn on Lite mode, a part of their web traffic could go directly through certain Google servers before they are downloaded to the users' device.

Should a page load slowly, Google servers will then simplify the pages for it to require fewer data to download on the users' device.

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Written by Urian B.