Have you ever encountered a situation where a site refuses to work on Google Chrome on your Android-smartphone, and instead of the content the message โUpdate your browserโ appears? Or maybe you noticed that some functions (for example, WebRTC or AVIF images) are not supported? In 90% of cases, the problem lies in an outdated version of the application. But how do you find out which version Chrome is installed on your device, and what to do if it is not up-to-date?
In this article we will examine 5 proven methods checking the browser version - from the standard settings menu to hidden commands for advanced users. You will also learn why it is important to keep up with updates, how versions differ for different processor architectures (ARM64, x86) and what to do if Google Play an application refuses to update. The instructions are relevant for all modern smartphones: Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Google Pixel, Realme and others.
Why it is important to know the version of Chrome on Android
At first glance, the browser version number is just a set of numbers. But what it actually defines is:
- ๐ Security: older versions may have unfixed vulnerabilities (for example,
CVE-2023-4863v Chrome 116 allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code). - ๐ Performance: new versions are optimized for modern processors (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Dimensity 9300) and consume less energy.
- ๐ Compatibility: sites on
React 18orVue 3may not display correctly in browsers older than 2 years. - ๐ ๏ธ Functionality: support
WebGPU(for 3D graphics),AVIF(image compression) orPasskeys(passwordless authentication) appeared only in the latest releases.
For example, if you use Chrome 100 (released in March 2022), you will lose protection against attacks via Spectre v2, and also cannot use the "Save for offline reading" supported function PWA. Meanwhile, the current version at the time of writing - Chrome 124 - includes more than 30 security fixes and new tools for web developers.
โ ๏ธ Attention: If you are using Android 5.0 Lollipop or older, official support Chrome discontinued for your OS. Latest compatible version - Chrome 110 (February 2023). Security updates are not released for it.
Method 1: through the Chrome settings menu (the simplest)
This is a basic method that works on all devices, regardless of version Android or smartphone model. You do not need Internet access or additional applications.
- Open Google Chrome on your smartphone.
- Tap on the icon "โฎ" (three dots) in the upper right corner of the screen.
- In the drop-down menu, select the item "Settings" (Settings).
- Scroll down the list to the section "About Chrome" (About Chrome).
- At the top of the screen you will see a line "Chrome version" with a number (for example,
124.0.6367.91).
Here the system will automatically check for updates. If a new version is available, a button will appear "Update". Click on it to install the latest version.
Check your internet connection|Restart your browser|Clear the Chrome cache in Android settings|Update Google Play services-->
On some devices (for example, Huawei without Google Mobile Services) item "About Chrome" may be missing. In this case, use alternative methods.
Method 2: through Android settings (for all applications)
If for some reason you cannot open the browser itself (for example, it freezes on startup), the version can be found through the system settings. AndroidThis method is universal and suitable for any applications.
- Open "Settings" your smartphone.
- Go to section "Applications" (Apps) or "Manage applications".
- Find in the list ยซChromeยป (can be called Google Chrome or simply Chrome).
- Tap on it, then select "Application information" or "Additional information".
- Scroll down to block "Version" โthe number will be indicated here (for example,
124.0.6367.91 (636709100)).
On some firmware (for example, MIUI on Xiaomi or One UI on Samsung) the path may differ slightly, but the essence remains the same: you need to find the section with information about the application. If Chrome is not displayed in the list, try using the search in the settings (magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).
| Firmware | Path to the Chrome version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Android (Pixel, Motorola) | Settings โ Applications โ Chrome โ Information |
The most direct path, without unnecessary tabs. |
| MIUI (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO) | Settings โ Applications โ Manage applications โ Chrome โ Version |
You may need to enable the display of system applications. |
| One UI (Samsung Galaxy) | Settings โ Applications โ Chrome โ Storage โ Version |
The version is displayed at the bottom of the screen with storage information. |
| ColorOS (Oppo, Realme) | Settings โ Applications โ All applications โ Chrome โ Information |
Sometimes you need to tap on the icon โ in the top corner. |
โ ๏ธ Attention: On devices with Android Go (for example, Nokia 1 or Samsung Galaxy J2 Core) instead of the full one Chrome a lightweight version can be installed Chrome Go. Its version is checked in the same way, but the functionality is limited.
Automatically (default settings)|Once a month|Only when sites stop working|I never update|I donโt know how to do this-->
Method 3: through the Google Play Store
If you need not only to find out the version, but also to update your browser, the most convenient way to do this is to do this via Google Play. This method is also useful if you want to check if a new version is available for your device.
- Open Google Play Store.
- In the search bar, enter ยซGoogle Chromeยป and select the official application from Google LLC.
- On the application page, scroll down to the block "About this application".
- Here you will see the currently installed version ("Installed") and the latest available ("Updated").
If the button "Update" is active, it means a new version is available. Click on it to install the update. If there is no button, your Chrome is already up to date.
On some devices (especially with Android 12 and newer) Google Play can automatically update applications in the background. To disable this feature:
- Open Google Play โ Settings.
- Select "Network Settings" โ "Auto-update applications".
- Set the value "Do not update automatically".
If the "Update" button is inactive, but you are sure that a new version exists, try clearing the cache Google Play in Android settings or reboot the device.
Method 4: through ADB commands (for advanced users)
If you understand technical nuances or your device is rootnut, you can find out the version Chrome using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is useful if the browser is damaged and does not start, or you want to get extended information (for example, processor architecture code).
To do this:
- Install ADB on your computer (instructions for Windows, macOS i Linux available on the official website Android Developers).
- Connect your smartphone to the PC via USB and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
- Open a terminal (or Command Prompt) and run the command:
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
In response you get a line like:
versionName=124.0.6367.91
This is the current version Chrome. If you need additional information (for example, architecture code), use:
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome
In the output, find the lines:
versionCodeโ internal assembly number;nativeLibraryPathโ path to binary files (shows for which architecture the browser is built: arm64, x86 etc.);targetSdkVersionโversion Android SDKfor which it is optimized Chrome.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Use ADB requires caution. Incorrect commands may disrupt the system. If you are not sure of your actions, use other methods.
What to do if ADB does not recognize the device?
Make sure that USB debugging is enabled in the developer settings (path: Settings โ About phone โ Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings โ System โ For developers). Also check if the drivers for your device are installed on your PC. On Windows you may need to manually install drivers through Device Manager.
Method 5: through third-party applications (to analyze all installed apps)
If you need not only to find out the version Chrome, but also to analyze other applications, you can use specialized utilities. They show extended information, including:
- ๐ฆ File size;
APK-file; - ๐ง Permissions that the application requests;
- ๐ Date of last update;
- ๐ฅ๏ธ The processor architecture for which the app was compiled.
The most popular applications for this purpose:
| Application | Link to Google Play | Features |
|---|---|---|
| App Inspector | (available on Google Play) | Shows the version, hash APK, certificates and dependencies. |
| APK Extractor | (available on Google Play) | Allows you to extract APKfile Chrome and view its metadata. |
| DevCheck | (available on Google Play) | Displays the version Chrome in the context of other system applications and hardware characteristics. |
Example use App Inspector:
- Install and open the application.
- In the list, find ยซChromeยป.
- Tap on it - a page with detailed information will open, including ยซVersion Nameยป and ยซVersion Codeยป.
These utilities are especially useful if you:
- ๐ Looking for the cause of conflicts between applications;
- ๐ฑ Testing performance on different versions Chrome;
- ๐ ๏ธ Trying to restore the browser after a failure.
The application side may be shown version Chrome even if it does not start or is damaged. This is useful for diagnosing problems.
How to update Chrome if automatic updating does not work
Sometimes Google Play does not offer an update, although the new version Chrome has been out for a long time. The reasons may be different:
- ๐ฑ The device does not support the latest version (for example, Android 6.0 and lower);
- ๐ Regional restrictions (updates are delayed in some countries);
- ๐ง Conflict with account settings Google;
- ๐ถ Problems connecting to servers Google.
To force an update Chrome:
- Clear the cache Google Play:
- Go to
Settings โ Applications โ Google Play Market โ Storage. - Click "Clear cache" and "Clear data".
- Go to
- Uninstall updates Google Play (if available):
- In the same menu (
Google Play Market) click on "โฎ" โ โUninstall updates".
- In the same menu (
- Download
APKmanually:- Download the latest version Chrome from the official website Google Chrome or a reliable source (for example, APKMirror).
- Install
APKby allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings โ Security โ Unknown sources).
If after installation APK the browser refuses to open, try:
- ๐ Reboot the device;
- ๐งน Clear data Chrome in settings (
Settings โ Applications โ Chrome โ Storage โ Clear data); - ๐ง Install an older version (for example, if the new one is not compatible with yours firmware).
โ ๏ธ Attention: Installing APK from unverified sources can harm the device. Always download files only from official sites or trusted resources (for example, APKMirrorthat checks the digital signatures of files).
Frequently asked questions about versions of Chrome on Android
Is it possible to roll back Chrome to a previous version?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. To roll back you need to:
- Delete the current version Chrome.
- Download
APKthe desired version (for example, with APKMirror). - Install it by disabling automatic updates in Google Play.
However, older versions contain unfixed vulnerabilities and may not support modern sites. Rolling back makes sense only for testing or if the new version conflicts with the firmware.
Why on my phone there is no latest version of Chrome?
Probable reasons:
- Old OS: Chrome 110+ requires Android 7.0+.
- Incompatible architecture: your processor may not support the ARM64version of the browser.
- Regional restrictions: in some countries, updates are delayed by 1-2 weeks.
- Modified firmware: custom ROMs (for example, LineageOS) may not be supported Google Services.
Solution: check the compatibility of your device on the website Google or install Chrome Beta (often supports more devices).
What do the numbers mean in the Chrome version (for example, 124.0.6367.91)?
Version format: MAJOR.MINOR.BUILD.PATCH.
- 124 โ major version number (changes every 4 weeks).
- 0 โ minor number (usually
0for stable releases). - 6367 โ build number (unique for each compilation).
- 91 โ patch (security fixes or bugs).
For example, 124.0.6367.91 i 124.0.6367.92 is the same version, but the second one has a critical fix bug.
How to enable automatic updating of Chrome?
By default Google Play updates applications automatically, but if this is disabled:
- Open Google Play โ "Settings".
- Select "Network settings" โ "Auto-update applications".
- Install "Always" or "Only via Wi-Fi".
For Chrome you can also enable updates in the background:
- Open Chrome โ "โฎ" โ "Settings" โ "About Chrome".
- Activate the option "Update automatically" (if available).
Is it possible to use Chrome without updates?
Technically yes, but it unsafe. Without updates:
- You become vulnerable to attacks through vulnerabilities (for example,
CVE-2026-2883allowed theft of cookie data). Chrome 122 allowed to steal cookie data). - Sites may not display correctly or refuse work.
- Browser performance will be lower due to unoptimized code for new processors.
If your device does not support newer versions, consider alternatives: Firefox, Brave or Edge (they often support older OSes longer).