How to Enable Background Mode in Google Chrome
Background mode in Google Chrome keeps extensions and web apps running even after you close every browser window. This feature lets downloads finish and instant notifications arrive on time without keeping the main browser open on your screen.
Google Chrome hides this control under the system settings menu in version 120 and newer. Turning it on stops Chrome from shutting down completely, so tasks keep running in the background until you quit the app from the taskbar .
Google Chrome no longer has a global setting for background mode. Instead, individual websites installed as Progressive Web Apps manage their own background activity. You can manage these permissions within each specific web app’s settings.
Why use background mode?
Background mode lets certain web applications keep running after you’ve closed the main browser window. This is really useful for apps that need to send you notifications or sync data in real time.
What happens when done?
Background mode in Google Chrome allows favorite web apps to keep running after closing Chrome, often showing an icon in the system tray . Disabling background mode shuts down these apps immediately upon closing Chrome, which can save battery power and memory resources.
Enable/Disable Background Mode in Chrome
To enable background mode Chrome settings, you must manage individual Progressive Web Apps (PWAs, which are websites installed to run like standalone desktop apps) because Google removed the single global toggle. When you install a website as a PWA, that app will prompt you for permission to run tasks in the background even after you close the main browser window.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs, which are websites installed to run like desktop apps) now manage background activity. When a website is installed as a PWA (Progressive Web App), that PWA might then ask for your permission to run in the background. Instead, you’ll need to check the settings within each specific Progressive Web App (PWA) individually, as there’s no longer a single browser setting.
Keep in mind that company policies often control Chrome settings in work or school environments. For regular versions of Chrome, there isn't one universal option anymore to keep all background apps running.
Enable / Disable Background Mode in Chrome using the Registry
To enable background mode Chrome entries using the Registry Editor (a tool that lets you view and change low-level Windows settings), open the app and go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome. Keep in mind that editing this key often does nothing on modern versions of the browser, and you should back up your system first to prevent accidental problems.
If you still want to try this, open the Windows Registry Editor. Navigate to:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
Back up your registry or create a System Restore point before making any changes.
If the Chrome folder isn't there, you can create it. Right-click the 'Policies' folder and select the option to create a new folder. Inside the Chrome folder, right-click, select New DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it BackgroundModeEnabled.
Set its value to 0 to turn off background mode, or 1 to turn it on. You might need to restart your computer afterward.
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Conclusion
To make a specific web app continue running when Chrome closes, users must find that app's individual background task settings, as Chrome version 91 removed a single main switch for this purpose.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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