Google will kill Chrome for Android’s data-saving Lite Mode soon

Google Chrome for Android has offered a Data Saver Mode (later called Lite Mode) for years now, following in the footsteps of the trailblazing Opera Mini app. This feature compresses your requested web pages before they were transmitted to your device, resulting in less data being used.

Unfortunately for those who rely on the feature, Google has now announced on its support forum (h/t: Android Police) that it’ll be killing off Lite Mode from Chrome 100 onwards. That stable release is scheduled for March 29.

“In recent years we’ve seen a decrease in cost for mobile data in many countries, and we’ve shipped many improvements to Chrome to further minimize data usage and improve web page loading,” read an excerpt of the post from a Google support manager.

Mobile data prices have indeed decreased in many regions, while fiber connectivity has also become more commonplace globally. But it’s nevertheless a little disappointing to see Chrome for Android ditching Lite Mode, as the option is helpful for browsing the web in areas with poor coverage. It’s also still useful in markets where mobile data is still expensive, allowing consumers to get a little more bang for their buck.

In other words, you might want to look for a different browser if you absolutely must have data-saving functionality. You can check out our list of web browsers at the previous link if you’re thinking about alternatives.