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Chrome 87 Performance & Tab Search: What’s New

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Chrome 87 Performance & Tab Search: What's New

Yes, Chrome 87, released in November 2020, introduced a new tab search feature and significant performance improvements, including better memory and CPU usage. This article explains exactly what changed, how the new features work, and how to get the most out of them.

Background: Why Chrome 87 Mattered

Before Chrome 87, Google Chrome had a reputation for being a resource hog, especially with many tabs open. Users complained about high RAM usage, sluggish scrolling, and rapid battery drain on laptops. Google had been working on Project Freeze and other internal initiatives to address these issues, and Chrome 87 was the first release to bring many of those improvements to the stable channel. The update was notable because it focused on both perceived speed (faster startup and page loads) and actual resource efficiency (lower CPU and memory usage).

Performance Improvements: What Actually Changed

Chrome 87 delivered several measurable performance upgrades:

  • Reduced CPU usage by up to 5x: By throttling JavaScript timers in background tabs to once per minute (instead of once per second), Chrome cut down on background tab activity, which directly reduced CPU load and battery drain.
  • Faster page loading: Chrome 87 improved the way it prioritizes resources, loading pages up to 25% faster compared to Chrome 86, particularly on slower networks.
  • Better memory management: The new memory usage limits for iframes (embedded content) prevented a single page from consuming excessive RAM, reducing the chance of the browser becoming unresponsive.
  • Improved scrolling and input latency: Changes to how Chrome handles input events made scrolling and clicking feel more responsive, especially on pages with heavy JavaScript.

These changes were particularly noticeable on lower-end devices, where background tabs could previously cause the entire browser to stutter.

Tab Search: Finding Tabs Fast

The headline feature of Chrome 87 was the new tab search icon, a downward arrow in the top-right corner of the browser window (next to the minimize/maximize/close buttons). Clicking it opened a small search box that listed all your open tabs. You could type to filter tabs by title or URL, and then click a result to jump to that tab. This was a huge time-saver for users who regularly have dozens of tabs open across multiple windows.

To use it:

  1. Click the tab search icon (down arrow) in the top-right corner.
  2. Type part of the tab title or URL you’re looking for.
  3. Click the matching tab from the list, or use the arrow keys and Enter to select it.

The tab search feature also worked with keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+Shift+A on Windows and ChromeOS, Cmd+Shift+A on Mac. This made it even faster to access without using the mouse.

How to Choose: Enabling or Disabling Features

Most of Chrome 87’s performance improvements were automatic—you didn’t need to change any settings. The tab search feature, however, could be enabled or disabled via a flag. In Chrome 87, it was enabled by default for most users, but if you didn’t see the icon, you could enable it manually:

  1. Type chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter.
  2. Search for “Tab Search” in the search box.
  3. Set the flag to Enabled and restart Chrome.

If you found the icon annoying, you could disable it the same way, by setting the flag to Disabled. However, in later Chrome versions, the flag was removed and tab search became a permanent, non-optional feature.

Common Problems and Fixes

After updating to Chrome 87, some users encountered issues:

  • Tab search icon missing: If you didn’t see the arrow icon, it was likely because the flag was disabled or your Chrome was not fully updated. Check chrome://version to confirm you’re on 87 or later, and re-enable the flag if needed.
  • Performance still poor: If Chrome still felt slow, it might be due to extensions. Try disabling extensions one by one via chrome://extensions to see if one is causing high CPU or memory usage.
  • Battery drain persists: Even with the throttling improvements, some sites (like social media or video players) can keep the CPU busy. Check Chrome’s built-in task manager (Shift+Esc) to see which tabs are using the most resources.

Comparison: Chrome 87 vs. Earlier Versions

Compared to Chrome 86, Chrome 87 was a major step forward in resource efficiency. Independent tests at the time showed that Chrome 87 used significantly less CPU when multiple tabs were open in the background, and page load times improved noticeably. However, Chrome 87 was still not as memory-efficient as some competing browsers like Firefox or Safari, which had their own optimizations. The improvements in 87 were a foundation for later versions, which continued to refine memory and battery usage.

Safety and Security in Chrome 87

Chrome 87 also included important security updates, such as fixes for several high-severity vulnerabilities. While the performance and tab search features were the main talking points, keeping Chrome updated was (and still is) crucial for safety. Chrome automatically updates in the background, but you can check for updates manually by going to chrome://settings/help. Always restart Chrome after an update to ensure you’re running the latest security patches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chrome 87 still supported?

No. Chrome 87 was released in November 2020 and is no longer supported. Google regularly releases new versions, and older versions are vulnerable to security issues. You should always update to the latest version of Chrome to stay safe.

How do I get the tab search feature now?

Tab search is now a permanent part of Chrome, so you don’t need to enable any flags. If you don’t see the icon, make sure your Chrome is up to date. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+A (or Cmd+Shift+A on Mac) to open tab search.

Did Chrome 87 really improve battery life?

Yes, the CPU throttling of background tabs significantly reduced battery drain on laptops, especially when many tabs were open. Many users reported longer battery life after updating to Chrome 87.

Can I still use the old tab behavior without the search icon?

In current Chrome versions, the tab search icon is always visible, but you can hide it by right-clicking on the toolbar and unchecking “Tab search” if you prefer a cleaner interface. The feature itself remains available via the keyboard shortcut.

What if my tabs are in different windows?

Tab search in Chrome 87 and later shows tabs from all open windows, making it easy to find a tab even if it’s in another window. The search results include the window name to help you distinguish them.

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