How to Update Chrome on Any Device (and When It Won't)

Chrome is meant to update itself, and most of the time it does, quietly, whenever you close and reopen it. The catch is that plenty of us never close the browser. Weeks of tabs stay open, and the update sits there waiting. That matters, because each update carries security fixes. Here's how to force it, check your version, and sort out the times it won't update.

Update Chrome on Windows or Mac

1. Open Chrome and click More, the three dots at the top right.
2. Choose Help, then About Google Chrome.
3. Wait while Chrome checks. If an update is available it downloads straight away.
4. Click Relaunch.

Don't worry about your tabs. Google says Chrome saves your open tabs and windows and reopens them when it restarts. The exception is Incognito windows, which close for good, so finish anything private first. If now isn't a good moment, choose Not now and the update applies the next time you restart Chrome.

How to tell if you're already up to date

The About Google Chrome page shows your version number under the Google Chrome heading. If it says Chrome is up to date and there's no Relaunch button, you're on the latest release and there's nothing to do. Simply opening that page also prompts Chrome to check for updates, so it's worth a quick look every so often.

The update reminder in the corner

When an update has been downloaded and is waiting, the three dots at the top right change into an update label, and Chrome may show a message saying an update is ready. The longer you leave it, the more insistent that reminder becomes. Clicking it takes you to the same Relaunch step.

Update Chrome on Android and iPhone

On phones and tablets, Chrome updates through the app store rather than inside the browser:

Device	Where to update
Android	Play Store, search for Chrome, then Update
iPhone or iPad	App Store, tap your profile picture, find Chrome in the updates list, then Update
Chromebook	Update ChromeOS in Settings, About ChromeOS
Linux	Your package manager

Turning on automatic app updates on your phone means you won't have to think about it again.

Updating on a Chromebook

On a Chromebook, Chrome is part of the operating system, so there's no separate browser update. Google's instruction is to update the Chromebook itself: open Settings, select About ChromeOS, then Check for updates, and restart when it asks.

On a Mac: update Chrome for everyone on the computer

If several people use one Mac, open About Google Chrome and look for Automatically update Chrome for all users. Click it and every account on the Mac gets updates without each person doing it. Google notes this only works when Chrome is installed in the Applications folder, so if you dragged it somewhere else, move it into Applications first.

When Chrome won't update

• Close every window. On Windows, Google says to close all Chrome windows and tabs, then open Chrome again so the update can apply.
• Restart the computer. It clears anything holding Chrome files open.
• Check your system. Very old versions of Windows or macOS stop getting new Chrome releases, so the browser can't move past a certain version.
• Work devices. Your IT team may manage updates and decide when they roll out.
• Reinstall. As a last resort, download Chrome again from google.com/chrome and install it over the top; your bookmarks stay in your Google account if you sync.

What you keep when Chrome updates

An update changes the browser, not your stuff. Bookmarks, saved passwords, history, extensions and settings all carry on exactly as they were. If you're signed in to Chrome with sync turned on, they're also stored in your Google account, which is your safety net if you ever have to reinstall. It's worth checking sync is on before you do anything drastic: click your profile picture at the top right and you'll see whether it's syncing.

Why it's worth keeping up

Browsers are the front door to your email, banking and work tools, which is why attackers target them. Google pushes security fixes through these updates, sometimes for flaws that are already being exploited. An out-of-date browser can also make some sites misbehave or show warnings that Chrome is too old. Updating takes a minute; dealing with a compromised account takes far longer.

While you're tidying up your browser, a password manager is the next best protection. My comparison of open-source password managers covers options that work inside Chrome.

Trying new features early

If you like seeing features before everyone else, Google offers Chrome Beta, a separate version that gets changes first. It's fine for curious users but can be less stable, so keep normal Chrome for work and use Beta alongside it rather than instead of it.

My verdict

Once a week or so, open Help, then About Google Chrome, and click Relaunch if you see it. That's the whole job, and it covers the habit of never closing the browser that stops automatic updates. On phones, switch on automatic app updates and forget about it. If you've been thinking of switching browser altogether, read my take on whether Brave is safe first.

Frequently asked questions

How do I update Chrome on my computer?

Click the three dots, choose Help, then About Google Chrome, and click Relaunch.

How do I know if Chrome is up to date?

Open About Google Chrome. If there's no Relaunch button, you have the latest version.

Will updating Chrome close my tabs?

Chrome reopens your tabs and windows after it restarts, but Incognito windows won't come back.

How do I update Chrome on a Chromebook?

Update ChromeOS from Settings, About ChromeOS, because Chrome updates with the operating system.

Does Chrome update automatically?

Yes, in the background, but only when you close and reopen it.

Why won't Chrome update?

Close all Chrome windows and restart. Older operating systems and managed work devices can also block updates.