Chrome Lite user? Alert! Google to kill off this mode on release of Chrome 100

Google will remove Chrome Lite after Chrome 100 is rolled out.

Google to remove Chrome Lite in March, when Chrome 100 is launched. (Google)

Google will be unleashing a major upgrade in coming weeks that will bring several changes to your browsing experience. The upcoming Google upgrade is called Chrome 100. While that may be good news for most users, it spells trouble for those who use Chrome Lite as the company is likely to kill it off. The feature has been available on Android for years, however, it will be removed after Chrome 100 roll out. Chrome Lite for Android is a “Data Saver” version of the internet browser that was introduced on the platform several years ago. It was designed as a tool for those with slow or limited data connections. Though, it's a useful feature, but has become less necessary in recent years. Hence, the tech giant has decided to remove it.

Google, in a help page post, confirmed the news that “Lite Mode” in Chrome will be removed with the v100 update which is scheduled to be released on March 29. Google explained that the reason for removing this feature is they have seen a decrease in the cost of mobile data in a number of countries in recent years. At the same time, Google also made certain improvements to Chrome to “further minimize data usage and improve web page loading.” The company will ensure that Chrome delivers a fast web page loading experience on mobile in the future.

The users who have been using the Chrome Lite mode can still limit the amount of data on their Android smartphone. They can restrict background data for individual apps in settings, limit apps syncing and use some of their offline apps. 

What is Chrome lite? 

Launched in 2014 as “Data Saver” feature was later renamed as “Lite Mode” in 2019. It was designed to help people with slow or limited data connections. When enabled on an Android smartphone, Lite mode sends the user's web traffic through Google's own servers before it is downloaded to their device. If the pages loaded slowly, the search giant's servers simplify them to minimize the data consumption. .

Although it helps those with less mobile data, the feature does not work when private browsing is enabled and prevents users from accessing pages on a local network.