Tech giant Google has made a crucial announcement that could affect millions of Android users: Chrome, the widely-used web browser, will soon cease to function effectively on older Android devices. This change prompts users to verify their operating system versions, as support withdrawal could leave their devices vulnerable to security threats.
Despite Chrome continuing to work, the lack of updates spells trouble. Without new updates, users will miss out on critical bug fixes and security patches, opening the door for potential exploitation by hackers. This is particularly concerning for sensitive tasks like online banking, where security is paramount.
According to TheSun, the changes will affect those using Android Nougat, the version released back in 2016. With the global Android user base exceeding two billion, the estimated 2% still on Nougat represents a significant number of potentially at-risk devices.
Google urges users to check for the latest operating system update to maintain Chrome functionality and security. The cutoff is expected to occur with the launch of Chrome version 120, slated for release in the coming month.
“Chrome’s support on Android Nougat will no longer be active,” Google declared. The final Chrome update for Nougat users will be version 119, which will include a notification advising an OS upgrade for continued support.
To ensure your device is not at risk, follow these steps to check your Android version:
Open the ‘Settings’ app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on ‘About Phone’.
Look for ‘Android Version’ to see which OS version your device is running.
