How to Update Chrome

Edited 4 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Keeping your Google Chrome browser updated is essential to ensure you have the latest features, security patches, and performance optimizations. This comprehensive guide will introduce you to the steps needed to update Chrome on different devices and operating systems. We'll explore how to update Chrome on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Let's dive into the process for each platform.

Updating Chrome on Windows

Updating Chrome on a Windows computer is a straightforward process. To make sure your Chrome browser is up-to-date, follow the steps below:

1. Open Chrome: First, open your Google Chrome browser. You can do this by clicking the Chrome icon on your desktop or from the Start menu.
2. Access the menu: In the upper right corner of the browser window, you will see three vertical dots. This is the Chrome menu button. Click on it to open the menu.
3. Go to Settings: In the menu, go to "Help" and then select "About Google Chrome."
4. Check for updates: Chrome will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, it will begin downloading immediately. You will see a progress bar indicating the status of the update.
5. Restart Chrome: Once the update is downloaded, you'll need to restart Chrome to apply the update. Click the "Relaunch" button that appears, and Chrome will close and reopen with the latest update installed.

Updating Chrome on macOS

macOS users can also update Google Chrome easily. Follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome. Launch the Chrome browser on your Mac by clicking the Chrome icon in the Applications folder or Dock.
2. Open the menu: Click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window to open the menu.
3. Go to Settings: In the menu, go to "Help" and click "About Google Chrome."
4. Automatic update check: Chrome will automatically check for updates. If there is an update available, it will start downloading it.
5. Relaunch Chrome: After the update has finished downloading, click the "Relaunch" button to complete the update process. Chrome will close and then reopen with the latest version.

Updating Chrome on Linux

Updating Chrome on a Linux system can be slightly different depending on the distribution you are using. Here is a general guide:

1. Open the Terminal: Launch the Terminal application on your Linux system.
2. Update package list: Enter the following command to update your package list:

   sudo apt-get update

3. Install updates: To upgrade Google Chrome, use the following command:

   sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install google-chrome-stable

4. Relaunch Chrome: After the upgrade is complete, relaunch Google Chrome to apply the update.

Note: The above commands are for Debian-based distributions, such as Ubuntu. If you are using a different distribution, the commands may differ. For example, on Fedora or CentOS, you can use the `dnf` package manager instead of `apt-get`.

Updating Chrome on iOS

For iPhone and iPad users, Chrome can be updated through the App Store. Here's how:

1. Open the App Store: Tap the App Store icon to open it.
2. Go to Updates: Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen to access your account.
3. Find Chrome: Scroll down to see a list of apps with available updates. If Google Chrome is on the list, tap the "Update" button next to it.
4. Wait for the update. The update will download and install automatically. Once it's done, you can open Chrome and continue using it.

Updating Chrome on Android

Android users can update Chrome through the Google Play Store. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store. Tap the Play Store icon to open it.
2. Access the menu: Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner to open the menu.
3. Go to My apps & games: Select "My apps & games."
4. Find Chrome: Under the "Updates" tab, find Google Chrome.
5. Update Chrome: Tap the "Update" button next to Google Chrome to download and install updates.

Alternatively, you can search for Google Chrome in the Play Store and tap the “Update” button directly from the application page if an update is available.

Enabling auto-updates in Chrome

Google Chrome is designed to update automatically in the background. However, if you want to make sure automatic updates are enabled, follow these steps:

Windows and macOS

1. Access Chrome Policies: Type chrome://policy in the Chrome address bar and press Enter.
2. Check the update policy: Look for the "Update policy override" setting. Make sure it's set to "Always allow updates."
3. Modify the policy: If the setting needs to be changed, you can modify it through the Group Policy Editor (Windows) or a configuration profile (macOS).

Linux

On Linux, auto-updates are usually handled by the package manager for your distribution. Ensuring that your system's update manager is properly configured will keep Chrome up to date.

iOS and Android

Both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store can be set to update apps automatically. Here's how:

iOS

1. Open Settings: Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap App Store: Find “App Store” and tap it.
3. Enable automatic updates: Toggle the switch next to "App Updates."

Android

1. Open the Google Play Store: Launch the Play Store app.
2. Go to Settings: Tap the three horizontal lines to open the menu and select "Settings."
3. Auto-update apps: Tap “Auto-update apps” and select “Only on Wi-Fi” or “On any network” according to your preference.

Troubleshoot Chrome update issues

Sometimes, you may face some problems when trying to update Chrome. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Update failed (error: 4 or 10)

This error usually means that Chrome could not connect to the update server. To resolve it:

• Check your internet connection and make sure it is stable.
• Make sure your firewall or antivirus isn't blocking Chrome from accessing the Internet.
• Restart your computer and try updating Chrome again.

Installation failed (error: 7 or 12)

These errors indicate that Chrome started the update but couldn't complete it. To fix it:

• Clear your browser cache and cookies.
• Make sure you have enough disk space on your computer.
• Temporarily disable any conflicting software (e.g., antivirus programs) and try updating again.

Chrome is updated but showing old version

If Chrome claims to be up to date but still shows an outdated version:

• Close all Chrome windows and restart the browser.
• Go to "About Google Chrome" and check for updates again.
• If the problem persists, uninstall Chrome and reinstall it from the official website.

Verifying Chrome version

After you update Chrome, you'll want to confirm that you have the latest version. Here's how:

1. Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
2. Select "Help" and then click "About Google Chrome."
3. You will see the version number displayed. Compare it to the latest version listed on the official Chrome website.

You can also visit the official WhatIsMyBrowser.com website, which will automatically display the browser version you are using.

Benefits of keeping Chrome updated

Keeping Chrome updated isn't just about getting access to the latest features. Here are some key benefits:

• Security: Updates often include security patches that protect you from vulnerabilities and threats.
• Performance: New versions of Chrome come with performance improvements, making your browsing experience faster and smoother.
• Compatibility: Updates ensure that Chrome remains compatible with the latest web technologies, providing better support for new websites and web applications.
• Bug fixes: Updates address known bugs and errors, improving the overall stability of the browser.

Conclusion

Updating Google Chrome is a simple but important task to ensure you have the latest security updates, features, and performance improvements. Whether you're using Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android, the process is straightforward.

Remember to enable automatic updates whenever possible to keep your browser updated without any manual intervention. By following the steps in this guide, you can keep Chrome running smoothly and enjoy a safe, fast, and reliable browsing experience.

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