How to Update Google Chrome

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You can get a lot done with Google Chrome, which is probably why its use dwarfs that of competing internet browsers like Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. Ease of use is a top selling point, from cross-platform syncing to quiet updates.

For the most part, those updates are on auto-pilot; you don't have to do much beyond opening and closing the browser window. But there are some exceptions. If you want to make sure Google is doing its job, here's how.

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  Chrome's Update Schedule

  Google has a publicly available calendar with estimated launch dates for upcoming versions of Chrome. Chrome 70, for example, arrived this week, while Chrome 71 is expected in December.
  The updates are automatic; when they're available, Chrome will apply them the next time you open your browser window. With so many users, it can take a few days to a full week for everyone to get the latest version. But you can also manually trigger an update to ensure that you're on the latest version as soon as it's released.
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  How to Update Chrome on Desktop

  If you don't close Chrome, updates will not be applied. You can tell when Chrome has an update because a yellow icon will appear in the top-right corner of the browser. Eventually that icon will turn red if you don't restart Chrome, signifying that your instance is now out of date.
  If you have an update pending, click that icon in the right-hand corner. Chrome will either tell you that it's up to date or urge you to "relaunch" the browser.
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  About Google Chrome

  If there's no alert, but you want to know which version of Chrome you're running, click the three-dot icon () on the top-right corner and select Help > About Google Chrome.
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  Which Version of Chrome Am I On?

  Here, Google Chrome will check for updates, install anything that's available, and tell you which version you're running—in my case, Version 70.0.3538.67 (Official Build) (64-bit).
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  How to Update on iPhone

  When it comes to iPhone apps, the only way to update is through the App Store. So if you have the Google Chrome iOS app, open the App Store app and tap Updates on the bottom-right corner of the screen. If Google Chrome appears under Pending, there's an available update. Tap Update next to the icon to start the download process.
  Most iPhone users probably have apps set to automatically update, a feature that's been available since iOS 7. To check your status, navigate to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Updates and toggle it on (or off).
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  How to Update Chrome on Android

  Similarly to how it works on Apple devices, you will need to update Chrome in the Google Play Store. After launching the app, tap the hamburger menu () in the top-left corner of the screen by the Google Play search bar, and tap My Apps & Games. If the Google Chrome icon is among the list of pending updates, tap the update button next to it. However, if it is not included in the list, the Chrome app is up to date. Android also allows for automatic app updates; here are your options.