You're about to see a lot more browser updates landing on your devices. Google just announced that Chrome will move from a four-week release schedule to a fortnightly one, kicking off on September 8, 2026.
This increased release schedule applies whether you're browsing on a Windows or Mac computer, Android phone or tablet, iPhone, or iPad – everyone is getting the same treatment.
It's quite a shift. Back in 2021, Google moved from six-week gaps between major releases to four weeks. Now they're halving that, meaning you'll get fresh versions of Chrome every fortnight across all your devices.
So why the change? Google says it wants to get performance boosts, bug fixes, and shiny new features into your hands more quickly. The company explained that "our goal is to ensure developers and users have immediate access to the latest performance improvements, fixes and new capabilities."
Google will begin its fortnightly Chrome update release on September 8, 2026
|GOOGLE PRESS
There's another noteworthy benefit, too.
Since each update covers a smaller timeframe, it should be easier for the team at Google to track down any problems that pop up after a release. This means more frequent, bite-sized updates will keep Chrome running smoothly while still maintaining the stability you'd expect from your everyday browser.
It may make your browsing sessions much safer, too. Recently, thousands of Chrome users had their passwords stolen. Google also just killed off a free tool to check if hackers know your email.
You'll also still get those weekly security patches between the bigger milestone updates, just as you have since 2023. So while the main releases are speeding up, the protective updates keeping you safe from hackers and vulnerabilities will continue arriving on their existing weekly schedule.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
For those of you who like testing new features early, beta versions will drop three weeks ahead of each stable release. Google recommends developers give the beta a spin to catch any changes that might affect their websites or apps before they go live — which can help your browsing experience run even more smoothly.
If you're using a Google Chromebook, the new Chrome updates will only roll out to you after extensive testing
| GOOGLE PRESS OFFICEChromebook users will also have extended release options available. Google says it wants to ensure a seamless experience, so the latest Chrome versions will roll out to Chromebooks only after dedicated platform testing. The company has promised to share more details soon about how milestone updates will work for managed devices under this new fortnightly browser schedule.
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