Updating Google Chrome: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hey there! I’ll show you how to manually update your Google Chrome browser, so let’s get started.

Step 1: Checking for Updates

First off, launch Google Chrome on your computer. Look up at the top right corner of the browser window and click on the three vertical dots. This will open up a menu. Scroll down and hover over the “Help” option, then select “About Google Chrome”.

Now, a new tab will appear, displaying information about your Chrome version. Chrome will automatically check for updates and if one is found, it will begin downloading it.

Step 2: Restarting Chrome

Once the update has finished downloading, you will see a “Relaunch” button. Go ahead and press it. This will close and reopen Chrome with the latest version.

Once Chrome restarts, you’ll be up to date and ready to go!

Step 3: Checking for Extensions Compatibility

After updating Chrome, it’s important to ensure that all your extensions are compatible with the new version. To check this, go back to the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the browser window and click on them. From the menu, hover over “More Tools” and then select “Extensions”.

On the “Extensions” page, you’ll see a list of all the extensions installed on your Chrome browser. Make sure that none of them have a warning sign or an error message. If you encounter any compatibility issues, visit the extension’s page in the Chrome Web Store to see if there’s an update available. Install the updated version to ensure smooth functioning.

Step 4: Enabling Automatic Updates

If you prefer to have Chrome update itself automatically in the future, follow these steps:

1. Go back to the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the browser window and click on them.
2. Select “Settings” from the menu.
3. Scroll down and click on “Advanced” to access additional options.
4. Under the “System” section, toggle on the “Automatic updates” switch. This will enable Chrome to update itself without any manual intervention in the future.

In Conclusion

Updating Google Chrome manually is a simple process that ensures you have the latest features and security patches. Remember to regularly check for updates, verify extension compatibility, and enable automatic updates if you prefer. By keeping your Chrome browser up to date, you can enjoy a smoother and more secure browsing experience. Happy surfing!

When it comes to web browsers, Google Chrome is by far the most popular choice worldwide. It started as a small project for Google over ten years ago, but now it’s the top pick for most people when it comes to browsing the web, no matter what device they use. Chrome works on all major operating systems and devices, and it’s especially popular on Windows and Android. Regardless of which operating system you’re using Chrome on, it regularly receives updates and fixes. This includes Chrome for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with new versions coming out every month or so. Updates are synced across most major platforms.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for an automatic update to be pushed to your device. We always recommend having the latest version of Chrome to ensure the fastest browsing experience, and manually updating Chrome is the best way to achieve that. Here’s how you can manually update Chrome on all your devices.

Windows, MacOS, and Linux

Like many other browsers, Google Chrome is set to update automatically by default. But if it fails to update for some reason, you can easily do it manually. There are two main ways to update Chrome: through the Main Menu and the browser’s address bar. Both methods work on Windows, Linux, and Mac systems. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to update Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer.

Method 1

The first method uses Chrome’s Main Menu. Here’s how you do it:

1. Launch Chrome from your desktop.
2. Click on the Main Menu icon at the upper-right corner of the browser window.
3. In the drop-down menu, hover over the “Help” option.
4. In the sub-menu, click on the “Update Google Chrome” option. If it’s not there, click the “About Google Chrome” option.
5. If you selected the latter, the “About” page will open. You’ll see the current version of Chrome and a notification that an update is available. Click the “Relaunch” button and wait for Chrome to install the latest version and restart.

Method 2

The second method is a bit quicker and involves the browser’s address bar.

1. Double-click on the browser’s icon to launch it.
2. Click on the address bar and type in “chrome://settings/help”. Press “Enter”.
3. Chrome will display the “About” page. Click the “Relaunch” button and wait for Chrome to install the updates and restart. If you can’t find the button, it means you’re already on the latest version.

Checking for Update Availability

Recent versions of Chrome let you know if updates are available. Just look at the Main Menu icon at the top-right corner of the browser window.

1. If the icon is grey, Chrome is up to date.
2. If the icon is green, an update has been available for two days.
3. If the icon is orange, updates have been available for four days.
4. If the icon is red, updates have been available for a whole week.

Android

Chrome is the main web browser for Android systems. It comes bundled with the Google apps suite that’s pre-installed on every phone. By default, Chrome on Android updates automatically, just like most other Android apps.

But if you want to update it manually, you’ll need to use the Play Store app.

1. Tap on the Play Store icon on your phone or tablet’s Home screen.
2. Once the app opens, tap on the Profile icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Manage apps & device” from the menu.
4. Choose “Manage” and then tap on “Updates available”.
5. In the “Updates” section, you’ll find a list of apps with available updates. Look for Chrome.
6. If Chrome is listed, tap the “Update” button to install the latest version.

Unlike the desktop version, Chrome for Android doesn’t notify you about available updates. It also doesn’t give you the option to change the default automatic update setting to manual.

iOS

The iOS version of Chrome is set to update automatically by default. Similar to the Android app, you can’t update Chrome from within the app itself. Instead, you’ll have to update it through the App Store. Follow these steps to manually update Chrome on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Tap on the App Store icon on your Home screen to open the app.
2. Next, tap the “Updates” button at the bottom of the screen.
3. Browse the list of pending updates for Chrome.
4. If you find Chrome on the list, tap the “Update” button to install the latest version. If it’s not there, it means Chrome is already up to date.

Some devices might require you to enter your Apple ID password to confirm the update. If prompted, simply type in your password.

Just like the Android version, Chrome for iOS doesn’t notify you about available updates. You also can’t manually change the update preferences.

A Quick Summary

In summary, Google Chrome allows users on Windows, MacOS, and Linux to choose when and how to install updates. It also notifies you when updates are available. On the other hand, the Chrome app for Android and iOS can only be updated through their respective app stores. They don’t provide update notifications and don’t offer the option to manually update.