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Google Chrome 138 Will Be Last Version to Support macOS Big Sur

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Google has confirmed that its upcoming Chrome 138 browser update will be the last version to support macOS Big Sur. Going forward, Chrome 139 and later versions will no longer support macOS 11, which Apple released in November 2020.

Chrome-Feature-22.jpg

In a platform status update, Google says that on Macs running Big Sur, Chrome 138 will continue to work, but the browser will display a warning infobar and will not update any further. For new installations of Chrome 139+, macOS Monterey or newer will be required. Chrome 139 is set to ship at the end of the month.

To stay up-to-date with the latest browsing standards and to maintain online security, users on Big Sur are advised to update their macOS version (assuming their machine supports Monterey or later) or choose another third-party browser like Firefox that is still receiving updates for their version of macOS.

Article Link: Google Chrome 138 Will Be Last Version to Support macOS Big Sur
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/16/google-chrome-138-last-version-support-mac-big-sur/
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The cut-off for software supporting older OS versions comes relatively quickly on MacOS.

Big Sur doesn't feel that old. But I guess there are benefits to this compared to for example Window? On the surface and for the end user it sure seems like a bad thing that software can't run on an operating system from just a few years ago.

But we are so much more secure and coherent on MacOS, right? :)
 
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You think it’s bad now wait until Intel is completely dropped, google will jump from Big Sur to macOS 27

Some of my computers are still running Mojave and Firefox is still providing security updates for their ESR version a year after they said they would stop. :rolleyes:
 
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FightTheFuture said:
Most Mac’s that run Big Sur can run Monterey. I’m really not sure who would opt to keep Big Sur.
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2013 & 2014 Macbook Pro, 2013 & 2014 MacBook Air, 2014 iMac all were limited to Big Sur. It's not a huge list but I wouldn't consider it small.
 
eduardodfj said:
I'm surprised people use Chrome at all. You know, given the ****ty company that makes it and the bloated piece of garbage that browser is. To each his own, I guess.
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The problem with Chrome (problem, if you want to see it in that way) is that it works.

You install the software, log into your gmail account and boom, everything is setup as you had the browser before. That's what people wants.

Also, the performance is just better in some cases. For example, I use a Macbook Pro 2012 with Monterrey and Safari is just an absolutely mess, Chrome? Works perfect, even watching videos, browsing the web, etc. It just works and thats all
 
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I don't understand, how much does the software change underneath, something like a web browser that they would stop supporting it and that too that soon. What ground breaking, earth shattering feature did any browser bring in last few years or even decade, that a so called this particular gem of a new feature wont work on the old hardware for so and so reason.

I can understand for some pro application's new feature not work at all or not work smoothly enough, but, I really don't get that for a web browser.

And seriously, same goes for Apple. If open core patcher, can make newest OS run and run smoothly on older macs then why can apple.

i mean, if a software is purposely deigned to check the version and deny to operate even if its fully capable then i think its really bad.
 
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tonmischa said:
I am not convinced that Safari on Big Sur is more secure than Chrome 138 on Big Sur.
Would love to see a source for that claim.
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I remember when Apple dropped support for Mac OS X Lion, I was incredibly grateful that Google supported my machine for longer. Safari was very outdated on Lion by 2014. It even didnt display websites properly.
 
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aespana said:
The problem with Chrome (problem, if you want to see it in that way) is that it works.

You install the software, log into your gmail account and boom, everything is setup as you had the browser before. That's what people wants.

Also, the performance is just better in some cases. For example, I use a Macbook Pro 2012 with Monterrey and Safari is just an absolutely mess, Chrome? Works perfect, even watching videos, browsing the web, etc. It just works and thats all
Click to expand...
And how is that different to any other modern browser? I use Firefox and... It works. It syncs extensions or bookmarks with other devices instantly, and you can sync open tabs live.

Regarding performance, I don't find Safari to be a mess, just slower than Firefox, which by the way also "works perfect". I never find the need to open another browser just because Firefox doesn't work on that page.

On the other hand, I don't think Mozilla is doing their best to sell my information and/or habits to get ad money, while this is Google's business model... And the reason why the make Chrome in the first place.
 
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aespana said:
The problem with Chrome (problem, if you want to see it in that way) is that it works.

You install the software, log into your gmail account and boom, everything is setup as you had the browser before. That's what people wants.

Also, the performance is just better in some cases. For example, I use a Macbook Pro 2012 with Monterrey and Safari is just an absolutely mess, Chrome? Works perfect, even watching videos, browsing the web, etc. It just works and thats all
Click to expand...
People who comment like that have never had to use obsolete Safari before. Back in 2014-2017 Chrome and Firefox became my only choice, because my MacBook 4,1 didnt support Mountain Lion and the support was dropped just after 4 years.
 
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I only use my Mac for certain things , and it annoys me googles/apple whoever I usually visit the same websites I have done for the past 10+ years and now all of a sudden that same website apparently won’t work because my “hardware is to old” I’ve posted before what is the point in right to repair if nothing works on the device anymore?.
Leave me and my 2014 MacBook alone if you think I’m going to buy a new MacBook to access chrome guess what? I am not. We need more about software support as well as right to repair they should go hand in hand. I’m not a super Mac user and don’t need fancy features I just need the basics with security.
 
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JosephAW said:
You think it’s bad now wait until Intel is completely dropped, google will jump from Big Sur to macOS 27

Some of my computers are still running Mojave and Firefox is still providing security updates for their ESR version a year after they said they would stop. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
But we’ve been through this before with PowerPC ~> Intel transition. Be happy Apple supports Intel at all. PowerPC got cut after Leopard.
 
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AppleTO said:
These all support OCLP, so it doesn’t even really matter.
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It does some, your average granny or non tech savvy person won't be using OCLP. I know several that don't want to buy a new computer since they barely use it except for web browsing.
 
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