How to Fix Google Chrome Not Updating on Android in 2023?

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers in the world, with a vast user base on both desktop and mobile devices. However, many Android users have reported issues with Chrome not updating on their devices, leaving them vulnerable to security risks and missing out on important new features. If you are one of these users, you may have tried various troubleshooting steps without success. In this article, we will explore some effective solutions to fix the Google Chrome not updating issue on Android, so that you can enjoy a safer and more feature-rich browsing experience.

Table of Contents

Why Should You Keep Google Chrome Updated on your Android Phone?

Keeping Google Chrome updated on Android devices is crucial for several reasons, including:

Security: New updates often come with security patches and bug fixes that help to protect your device from potential threats such as malware, viruses, and other security vulnerabilities. Outdated versions of Chrome may leave your device open to potential security risks and attacks.
Performance: Updates can also enhance the performance of the browser, including faster loading speeds, smoother navigation, and better overall functionality. As web technologies evolve, newer versions of Chrome are better equipped to handle the latest features and requirements of modern websites.
Features: Google Chrome updates often bring new features, tools, and functionalities that can improve your browsing experience. These can include new customization options, better privacy settings, and improved compatibility with other web services and apps.

Overall, keeping Google Chrome updated on your Android device is essential for maintaining optimal security, performance, and usability.

By regularly updating the browser, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible browsing experience while minimizing the risks of security threats and performance issues.

Possible Causes of the Google Chrome Not Updating Issue

There are several possible causes of the Google Chrome not updating issue on Android devices, including:

Outdated Android version: If your Android device is running on an outdated version of the operating system, it may not be compatible with the latest version of Chrome. In this case, you may need to update your Android version before you can update Chrome.
Insufficient storage space: If your device does not have enough storage space, you may not be able to download and install the latest version of Chrome. It is important to ensure that you have sufficient free space on your device before attempting to update Chrome.
Background data restrictions: Some Android devices may have background data restrictions that prevent Google Chrome from downloading and installing updates automatically. In this case, you may need to adjust your data settings to allow Chrome to download and install updates in the background.
Pending software updates: If there are pending software updates on your device, it may interfere with the updating process of Google Chrome. It is important to ensure that you have installed all pending updates before attempting to update Chrome.

How to Fix Google Chrome Not Updating on Android?

Below are some

Fix 1: Check your Android version and update if necessary

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “About phone” or “About device.”
Look for the “Android version” or “Software version” option and check if your device is running on the latest version.
If there is an update available, follow the prompts to download and install the update.
Once the update is complete, check if you can now update Google Chrome.

It’s worth noting that not all Android devices receive updates at the same time, and some may not receive updates at all. In this case, you may need to check if there are any alternative ways to update your device or consider upgrading to a newer device that receives updates more frequently.

Updating your Android device to the latest version can help to ensure that it is compatible with the latest version of Google Chrome and can help to fix any issues you may be experiencing with updating the browser.

Fix 2: Free up storage space on your device.

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Storage” or “Storage and memory.“
Check the amount of available space on your device. If it’s running low, tap on “Free up space” or “Internal storage” to see what’s taking up the most space.
Review the files and apps on your device and delete any that you no longer need. This can include old photos, videos, music, apps, and app data.
If you’re not sure what to delete, you can tap on “Smart storage” or “Automatic storage manager” to have your device automatically delete backed-up photos and other items that are no longer needed.
Once you’ve freed up space, try updating Google Chrome again to see if the issue has been resolved.

By freeing up space on your device, you can make room for the latest version of Google Chrome to be downloaded and installed.

Fix 3: Allow background data for Google Chrome

If you’re still having trouble updating Google Chrome on your Android device, it’s possible that background data restrictions are preventing the browser from downloading and installing updates automatically.

To allow background data for Google Chrome, you can follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications.“
Find Google Chrome in the list of apps and tap on it.
Tap on “Data usage” or “Mobile data & Wi-Fi.“
Make sure that the “Background data” option is turned on.
You can also turn on the “Unrestricted data usage” option if it’s available.
Once you’ve made these changes, try updating Google Chrome again to see if the issue has been resolved.

Fix 4: Uninstall and Reinstall Google Chrome

Go to the app drawer on your Android device and find the Google Chrome icon.
Press and hold on to the icon until a menu appears.
Tap on “Uninstall” or “Remove.”
Once the browser is uninstalled, go to the Google Play Store and search for “Google Chrome.“
Tap on “Install” to download and install the browser again.
Once the installation is complete, try updating Google Chrome again to see if the issue has been resolved.

By uninstalling and reinstalling Google Chrome, you ensure that the browser is installed correctly and that any issues with the previous installation are addressed.

Fix 5: Clear Google Play Store cache and data

If the above methods, don’t help you to resolve this issue, then you need to Clear the Google Play Store cache and data.

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Tap on “Apps” or “Application Manager“.
Find and tap on “Google Play Store” from the list of installed apps.
Tap on “Storage” or “Storage and cache“.
Tap on the “Clear cache” button to delete the cache data of the Google Play Store app.
Then, tap on the “Clear storage” button to delete the app data of the Google Play Store app.
Confirm your action by tapping on “OK“.

After clearing the cache and data of the Google Play Store app, try updating Google Chrome again to see if the issue has been resolved. If this solution doesn’t work, you can try the other solutions mentioned below.

Fix 6: Disable Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect is a built-in feature of the Google Play Store app that scans your device for potentially harmful apps and other security threats.

However, it’s possible that Google Play Protect may be preventing Google Chrome from updating correctly. To fix this issue, you can try disabling Google Play Protect temporarily.

Here are the steps to disable Google Play Protect:

Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Tap on the three-line menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
Tap on “Play Protect” from the list of options.
Tap on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
Turn off the “Scan device for security threats” toggle button.

Once you’ve disabled Google Play Protect, try updating Google Chrome again on your android device to see if the issue has been resolved.

Fix 7: Install the Google Chrome APK file manually

If the previous solutions haven’t worked for you, you may try manually installing the Google Chrome APK file on your Android device.

This method can be useful if the Google Play Store app is causing issues and preventing you from updating Google Chrome.

Here are the steps to install the Google Chrome APK file manually:

First, you need to download the latest version of the Google Chrome APK file from a trusted source. You can find the APK file on the official Google Chrome website or on other trusted websites that host APK files.
Go to the “Settings” app on your Android device.
Tap on “Security” or “Lock screen and security“.
Scroll down and toggle on “Unknown sources” to allow the installation of apps from sources other than the Google Play Store.
Open the “Downloads” app or the “File Manager” app on your Android device and find the downloaded Google Chrome APK file.
Tap on the APK file to start the installation process.
Follow the prompts on your screen to complete the installation.

Once you have successfully installed the Google Chrome APK file, you can try to update the browser again to see if the issue has been resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why is my Google Chrome not updating on my Android device?

A: There are several reasons why Google Chrome may not be updated on your Android device, including insufficient storage space, outdated Android version, disabled background data for Google Chrome, and issues with the Google Play Store app.

Q: What should I do if Google Chrome is not updating on my Android device?

A: You can try several solutions to fix the Google Chrome not updating issue on your Android device, such as clearing the cache and data of the Google Play Store app, disabling Google Play Protect, installing pending software updates, uninstalling and reinstalling Google Chrome, and manually installing the Google Chrome APK file.

Q: Why is it important to keep Google Chrome updated on my Android device?

A: Keeping Google Chrome updated on your Android device ensures that you have the latest features and security enhancements. New updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements, which can help to enhance your browsing experience and keep your device secure from potential vulnerabilities.

Q: How do I check if there are any pending software updates on my Android device?

A: You can check for any pending software updates on your Android device by going to the “Settings” app and selecting “System” or “About phone“. From there, you can tap on “Software update” or “System updates” to see if there are any available updates for your device.

Q: Can I install the Google Chrome APK file from a third-party website?

A: While it’s possible to install the Google Chrome APK file from a third-party website, it’s not recommended as it can pose a risk to your device’s security. It’s best to download the APK file from the official Google Chrome website or other trusted sources.