Google Chrome Updates To Stop On August 5 For 300 Million Android Users
Google confirms it will stop updateng Chrome for 300 million Android users in August.
Update, June 28, 2025: This story, originally published on June 27, has been updated with advice from Google on how to check and update your Android version in response to the news that Chrome will stop getting security updates in August for users of Android 8 and 9.
If there is one thing you can guarantee in life, other than death and taxes, it's that Google will update the Chrome web browser with alarming frequency to fight off attacks using newly discovered security vulnerabilities. That guarantee will disappear for an estimated 300 million Android users starting August 5. Here's what you need to know.
300 Million Android Devices To Not Longer Get Chrome Security Updates
According to the latest estimates, 4% of the Android user base of 3.3 billion still use Android 8 and another 5.8% use Android 9. While the percentages might seem insignificant in the overall scheme of things, that's a combined total of more than 300 million devices. It's also 300 million devices that will no longer benefit from security updates for the Google Chrome browser from August 5.
Ellen T, a Chrome support manager at Google, has now officially confirmed in a Google Chrome community posting, that 'Chrome 138 is the last version of Chrome that will support Android 8.0 and Android 9.0.' With Chrome 139 being expected to arrive on August 5, and requiring devices to be running Android 10.0 or later, this means that you will 'need to ensure your device is running Android 10.0 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases,' Ellen T said.
How To Check And Update Your Version Of Android To Ensure Chrome Security Updates Continue
Ellen T has stated that Google encourages all impacted users 'to move to a supported Android 10.0 version (or newer) to ensure you continue to receive the latest security updates and Chrome features.' Which is great, but how easy is that going to be in the real world? Google itself, of course, has a support page dedicated to just that question, explaining how to check for and update the version of Android for your device, be it a smartphone or tablet.
'You can find your device's Android version number, security update level, and Google Play system level in your Settings app,' Google said, adding that you will also get notifications when any operating system updates are available for your specific device. Here are the step-by-step instructions provided by Google:
To check which Android version your device is running currently:
To check for the latest Android operating system updates for your device:
Doing Nothing Is Not An Option – Chrome Security Updates Are Critical
It's important to note that older versions of the Google Chrome web browser app will continue to work just fine on older Android smartphones and tablets. Assuming that your definition of just fine includes being open to attack by anyone armed with an exploit for the latest security vulnerabilities. Indeed, as time passes, and those security vulnerabilities become common knowledge, with exploits exchanged in criminal forums online, the threat will only increase for any users who have not either updated to a more recent operating system or switched to a different browser app. You know what to do, and the correct answer is most certainly not nothing. You have been warned.
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Digital Trends
an hour ago
- Digital Trends
Windows has a major AI problem, and it's pushing me closer to Apple
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New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
How to find the best altcoins for the best bull run
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Learn More $53T+ in Transactions Uphold Uphold is a multi-asset trading platform that enables users to buy, sell, and swap over 360 cryptocurrencies, 27 fiat currencies, and four precious metals, all in a single step. With features like assisted self-custody via the Uphold Vault, staking rewards up to 16.8%, and real-time reserve transparency, it offers a secure and versatile experience for both beginners and seasoned investors. Learn More The New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate/advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or if you click or make a purchase.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Google Photos Supercharges Ultra HDR Photos: Here's What You Can Do Now
Google Photos just received a significant update that dramatically improves how it handles Ultra HDR ... More pictures. Key Takeaways Google Photos just received a significant update that dramatically improves how it handles Ultra HDR pictures. Now, you get expanded editing capabilities, greater control over HDR intensity and the ability to enhance standard photos into Ultra HDR. How Has Google Photos Upgraded HDR Editing and Why Does It Matter? Ultra HDR pictures unlock your display's full range of brightness and color, creating more vibrant images compared to standard (SDR) photos. However, while almost all photo apps can open and edit Ultra HDR files, the HDR effect will then be lost unless the app is specifically coded to handle Ultra HDR. Ultra HDR images can really pop on social media, so you'll want to retain the HDR effect wherever possible. Thanks to this Google Photos update, you can now edit and save Ultra HDR pictures using its most powerful AI-based features, such as Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser and Portrait Light. While these tools did work before, using them would cause Ultra HDR pictures to revert to SDR. Simple adjustments such as cropping and rotating worked, but more complex adjustments and filters would strip out the HDR information, resulting in a significant loss of quality. Now you can utilize advanced tools to create Ultra HD pictures that were previously impossible. Google Photos: New Ultra HDR Tool Works On SDR Pictures Too! Google Photos now offers a new "Ultra HDR" control that adjusts the intensity of the HDR effect and ... More even add it to SDR photos. To provide greater control over HDR output, Google has added a new 'Ultra HDR' editing tool, represented by a simple slider that allows you to adjust the intensity of the HDR effect from 0 (completely off) to 100 (maximum strength). Previously, the Ultra HDR effect was either on or off, with no way to adjust it. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder A notable feature of this tool is that it can also add Ultra HDR effects to SDR images. The effect won't be as good as if you were working on an Ultra HDR original, as the app has to 'guess' any brightness information that wasn't present in the original file and won't always be able to reproduce highlight details effectively. However, the results can also be quite convincing. If you're new to Ultra HDR, the new slider is a great way to learn how the effect works. Try it on a contrasty image, such as a sunset, and you should see the results immediately. Most Raw files, and some SDR files saved in advanced 16-bit or 32-bit formats, contain valid information for creating true Ultra HDR images, however, Google Photos doesn't yet support such conversions. To unlock the potential of these files in Google Photos, you'll need to first edit them in an external app that supports HDR, such as Adobe Lightroom, and save them as HDR JPEGs before opening them in Google Photos. I wrote more about the new HDR conversion tool in a previous article after its initial discovery two months ago. Ultra HDR: Too Compatible For Its Own Good? The genius of Ultra HDR lies in its compatibility. Because it's based on the standard JPEG format, you can display and edit Ultra HDR files in basic SDR mode without any special software. The flip side to that coin is that developers can decide that SDR mode is 'good enough' rather than committing resources to adding Ultra HDR support. In expanding Ultra HDR support in Google Photos, Google is now leading by example, which should help raise user expectations and encourage wider support of the format from other developers. Crucially, giving users complete control over the HDR effect, including the ability to reduce it to zero, will prevent situations where unpleasantly bright images prompt users to turn off Ultra HDR entirely. Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram. Subheading
