Google officially announced on its community tab on Monday (June 23) that the upcoming Chrome 139 update will only support devices running Android 10.0 or later. This change is part of routine software updates aimed at keeping user devices secure and efficient. Chrome 138 will be the final version compatible with Android 8.0 (Oreo) and Android 9.0 (Pie), while Chrome 139—scheduled for release on August 5, 2025—will require Android 10.0 or newer. Users on older Android versions are urged to upgrade their operating systems to continue receiving Chrome updates and security patches.
While older Chrome versions will continue to function on unsupported devices, users will no longer receive updates, which could eventually lead to degraded performance, slower browsing speeds, and increased security vulnerabilities. The announcement emphasizes that although the immediate impact may seem minimal, continued use of outdated software could pose long-term risks. Users on Android 8.0 or 9.0 are strongly encouraged to upgrade to at least Android 10.0 to maintain access to the latest Chrome features and security improvements.
This shift highlights the tech industry’s ongoing efforts to phase out older, less efficient systems in favor of modern, more secure alternatives. Millions of users worldwide may be affected, as approximately 10% of Android devices still operate on Android 8.0 or 9.0, according to April 2025 data from Composables. Though alternative browsers like Firefox may offer temporary workarounds, these too are expected to eventually drop support for older systems, making device upgrades increasingly essential.
