Is Your Smartphone About to Lose Chrome Forever? Essential Guide for Android 8 & 9 Users

Will Your Android Phone Lose Chrome Support? Critical Changes Coming August 2025

Google has announced that it will end support for Chrome on Android 8.0 Oreo and Android 9.0 Pie devices. This change affects millions of users worldwide who still rely on these older operating systems for their daily browsing needs.

When Does Chrome Support End?

Chrome 138 will be the final version to support Android 8 and Android 9. Starting with Chrome 139, which is scheduled for release on August 5, 2025, the browser will require Android 10 or newer to receive updates. This means users on older devices have approximately one month before they lose access to new Chrome features and security patches.

What This Means for Your Device

If you're using an Android 8 or 9 device, you can still use Chrome, but with significant limitations. The existing Chrome 138 version will continue functioning on your device, allowing you to browse websites and access your bookmarks. However, you won't receive any future updates, which creates several concerns:

Security Vulnerabilities

Without regular security patches, your browser becomes increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. This is particularly concerning since smartphones are now used for banking, shopping, and accessing sensitive personal information.

Compatibility Issues

Over time, websites may stop working properly as they adopt newer security certificates and web standards that older Chrome versions don't support. This problem already affects Android 7 devices, where some websites fail to load entirely.

Performance Degradation

Your browsing experience will gradually worsen without performance improvements and bug fixes that come with regular updates.

Why Google Made This Decision

Google's decision stems from practical considerations about resource allocation and user safety. Android 8 was released in August 2017, while Android 9 followed in 2018, making both operating systems over seven years old. Despite their age, these versions still maintain a notable user base, with Android 8 running on about 4% of devices and Android 9 on 5.8% of devices globally.

The company wants to focus its development efforts on more modern Android versions that meet current security and functionality requirements. This approach allows Google to implement advanced features and maintain robust security standards for the majority of users.

Your Options Moving Forward

Upgrade Your Device

The most straightforward solution is upgrading to a device running Android 10 or newer. This ensures continued Chrome support and access to the latest security features.

Switch to Firefox

If upgrading isn't possible, Firefox offers an excellent alternative. Mozilla continues supporting Android 5 and newer versions, meaning your older device can still access modern web features. Firefox also works with Let's Encrypt to maintain security certificate support for older Android versions.

Use Chrome 138 Temporarily

You can continue using the current Chrome version, but this isn't recommended long-term due to security risks. This option works best as a temporary measure while you plan your next steps.

Impact on Other Browsers

This change doesn't only affect Chrome users. Other browsers using the Blink engine, including Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi, face similar compatibility issues with older Android versions. This makes Firefox an even more attractive option for users stuck with legacy devices.

Regional Considerations

The impact varies significantly by region. While many users in developed markets have already upgraded to newer devices, significant numbers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America still rely on budget phones running older Android versions. For these users, the Chrome support change represents a more substantial challenge.

Preparing for the Transition

I recommend taking action before August 5, 2025:

1. Check your current Android version in Settings > About Phone
2. Research upgrade options if you're running Android 8 or 9
3. Download Firefox as a backup browser
4. Export your Chrome bookmarks and passwords for easy transfer

This change reflects the ongoing evolution of mobile technology. While inconvenient for some users, it allows Google to focus resources on delivering better experiences for modern devices while maintaining security standards that protect user data.