How to Update Chrome (and Make Sure Your Extensions Updated Too)

How Do You Update Chrome?

Chrome updates itself in the background almost every time you close and reopen the browser, so most people never touch a settings menu. If you tend to leave dozens of tabs open for days at a stretch, though, a downloaded update can sit waiting until you actually relaunch. That matters even more if you rely on security and privacy extensions for passwords, two-factor codes, or tracker blocking, since running an outdated browser can undercut what those extensions are trying to do.

The manual path takes under a minute and works the same whether you're forcing a check or just confirming you're current.

1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. Click the three-dot More menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Help, then About Google Chrome.
4. Let the page check for updates automatically.
5. If a new version is ready, click Relaunch to install it.

How Do You Check Your Current Chrome Version?

Your Chrome version number sits directly beneath the "Google Chrome" heading on the same About page you'd use to update. As of September 2026, the current stable release is Chrome 155; if the number you see is lower, an update is available, and Chrome typically starts downloading it as soon as you open that page.

1. Open a new tab and go to chrome://settings/help.
2. Read the number listed under the "Google Chrome" heading.
3. Compare it against the latest stable release to see if you're behind.

You don't need to memorize the exact build number for everyday browsing. It mainly matters when you're troubleshooting a broken extension, reporting a bug, or checking whether your machine still meets Chrome's current requirements.

Stable channel

The default, most-used version of Chrome; it's what the update steps on this page apply to.

Version number

A four-part number, such as 155.x.x.x, shown on the About Google Chrome page; the first segment marks the major release.

How Often Does Chrome Update?

Chrome doesn't run on a fixed public schedule you can circle on a calendar. It checks for updates automatically and downloads them quietly whenever the browser is open, then only applies the new version the next time Chrome restarts — which is why closing and reopening the browser regularly keeps you current with less effort than checking manually.

If you want new Chrome features and design changes before they reach everyone, Google also publishes Beta, Dev, and Canary builds that update more often than the Stable channel most people use. The trade-off is earlier features on a build that's had less real-world testing.

What Happens When You Click Relaunch?

Clicking Relaunch closes and reopens Chrome so it can finish applying the update you already downloaded. It doesn't sign you out of your Google account, reset your settings, or touch your saved passwords and bookmarks.

Chrome saves your open tabs and windows before it closes, then reopens them automatically once it restarts, so you land back where you left off within a few seconds.

How Do You Update Chrome on Windows, Mac, Linux, or a Chromebook?

The click path in the steps above is identical across desktop operating systems, but each platform has its own quirks worth knowing.

None of these paths require downloading an installer from Google's website first. The in-browser update mechanism handles it, except on Linux, where your package manager is the source of truth.

Why Won't Chrome Update?

If the Relaunch button never shows up, Chrome is either already on the latest version or something is quietly blocking the download. Work through these checks in order.

• Confirm you actually have a pending update by revisiting chrome://settings/help — no Relaunch button means you're already current.
• Restart your whole computer, not just the browser, since some updates need a full reboot to finish applying.
• Check whether your Chrome is managed by a school or workplace; managed browsers only update when an administrator allows it.
• Make sure your operating system still meets Chrome's system requirements.

What Are the System Requirements for the Latest Chrome?

Chrome eventually drops support for old operating systems and processors, and that's one of the more common — and least obvious — reasons updates stop arriving on an older machine.

If your device falls short of these minimums, Chrome typically stays on its last compatible version instead of failing loudly, which can make the problem look like a stuck update rather than an unsupported machine.

Does Updating Chrome Also Update Your Extensions?

No. Updating Chrome and updating your extensions are two separate processes that happen on their own schedules. Extensions check in with the Chrome Web Store and install new versions in the background, independent of whether or when you relaunch the browser itself.

That distinction matters most for extensions doing security-sensitive work. A password manager that's a few versions behind might not support a site's newest login flow, and a tracker blocker that hasn't updated its filter list misses newer trackers. If you're picking one for the first time, the security and privacy category is a reasonable place to start comparing options.

How Do You Manually Check for Extension Updates?

Chrome checks for extension updates automatically on its own cycle, but you don't have to wait for it.

1. Open a new tab and go to chrome://extensions.
2. Turn on Developer mode using the toggle in the top-right corner.
3. Click Update near the top of the page.
4. Wait for the page to confirm each extension is up to date.

If an extension breaks right after updating, or you decide you don't want it anymore, our guide on how to remove a Chrome extension covers that. Turning on Developer mode to force an update check also unlocks loading unpacked extensions, so it's worth reading what Chrome developer mode actually does before leaving it switched on.