How to get the most out of Chrome Browser

Google is popular for its minimalist design, funky themes and great browsing speed. But there are many lesser known or newly rolled out features that you may not be aware of.

How to save data on low bandwidth

Google’s data saver mode, which was earlier available only on the mobile version, was added recently as an extension on Chrome’s PC edition. Data saver reduces the load time of a Web page by redirecting the Web page to especially designed Google servers that compress them by 70%. This allows users on low bandwidth to access Web pages that are not optimized for small screens or have too many visual elements. Users can see how much data the browser has saved in the data saver option in the browser settings.

How to locate your Android smartphone

If you cannot locate your Android smartphone, Chrome can help. Just type “find my phone" on Google search and it will show the name of the phone along with its immediate geographical location on Google Maps. You just need to be logged into the Chrome browser with the same Google account that is running on your smartphone. If it is somewhere in the house, simply tap on the “ring" tab and the phone will ring. If you still can’t find it and don’t want it to fall into the wrong hands, go to the Android device manager page on your Chrome browser and lock or delete the data remotely. But there is a catch here. Your Android phone’s location feature should be on for this feature to work.

How to keep online browsing safe

The Chrome Cleanup Tool is another lesser-known feature meant to provide a smooth browsing experience. It removes extensions that were downloaded without your permission and are now interfering by opening random pop-ups or snooping on your online activities. To use it, type Chrome Cleanup Tool in the browser and install the app. The next time you see a fishy looking extension on top of the page, run the Cleanup Tool and it will remove all the extensions that are harmful. However, you have to install the app separately and run it every time you want to clean your browser.

How to switch between multiple tabs without using a mouse

A lot of users don’t like to use a mouse for the most basic tasks on a PC. Switching between multiple tabs on Chrome falls in this category. Chrome comes with hidden keyboard short cuts for which you don’t need a separate extension. Simply press Ctrl with the number key 2 and it will take you to the second tab on the browser.To access the sixth or seventh browser, tap 6 or 7 along with Ctrl.