Google Ends Chrome Support for Legacy Android Versions
Google Chrome remains the most widely used web browser globally, outpacing its competitors by a significant margin. While many users stick with Chrome due to familiarity or personal preference, browser vendors are constantly competing to offer better performance, security, and features.
Recently, both Google and Microsoft made bold claims about their browsers — Google said Chrome is now faster than ever, while Microsoft touted Edge as having superior ad-blocking capabilities. Despite these ongoing battles, Chrome continues to dominate across all platforms, including older Android devices.
Now, Google has announced an important change that will affect users of two outdated Android versions.
📅 What’s Changing?
In a short but significant blog post, Google confirmed that Chrome version 139 , scheduled for release on August 5 , will no longer support Android 8 Oreo and Android 9 Pie .
The current stable version is Chrome 137 , which means Chrome 138 will be the last to support these legacy systems .
🧩 What Does This Mean for Users?
Starting with Chrome 139, the browser will only receive updates on devices running Android 10 or newer .
Users who continue using Android 8 or 9 will still be able to launch Chrome, but they won’t receive any further updates , including critical security patches and bug fixes. This leaves those devices vulnerable to potential threats over time.
🛡️ Why Is Google Making This Move?
Although Google hasn’t officially stated the exact reason behind this decision, it’s likely tied to:
- A very small user base still on Android 8 and 9.
- The need to focus development efforts on newer, more secure platforms .
- Encouraging users to upgrade their devices to benefit from improved features and enhanced security.
It’s also worth noting that Android 8 (Oreo) was launched in August 2017 and received its last security update in October 2021 . Similarly, Android 9 (Pie) came out in August 2018 and got its final patch in January 2022 .
So, in reality, Google has already supported Chrome on these old OS versions long past their official end-of-life dates.
🔄 What Should You Do?
If you’re currently using Android 8 or 9 , here’s what we recommend:
- Upgrade your device to at least Android 10 to continue receiving Chrome updates.
- If your phone can’t be upgraded, consider switching to a different browser that still supports older Android versions.
- Always ensure you’re using updated software to protect yourself from security risks.