Google Chrome Terminates Support for Android 7.0 Nougat in Upcoming Update

Google Chrome, the most widely used web browser across desktop and mobile devices, has encountered its fair share of criticisms about being a resource hog over the past decade. Despite this, it has remained at the top of the list and underwent a Material You revamp in September with its version 117. However, users of the older Android 7.0, who have not updated their phone for more than five years, are about to lose full Chrome support.

According to the latest update on October 25 to Google's Chrome Enterprise and Education Release Notes page, in the "Coming Soon" section, it is clearly mentioned that Google Chrome 120, slated for a stable release on December 6, will not be compatible with Android Nougat. It is important to note that Chrome 119, recently released at a faster pace than usual Chrome updates, represents the final version of Google Chrome for Android that will support Nougat. This isn't a new trend, as exactly a year ago, Google declared that Android 6.0, also known as Android Marshmallow, was to lose support from Chrome 107.

Initially rolled out in a stable state in 2008, it wasn't until 2012 that Google Chrome was introduced on Android with Chrome 18. It has consistently topped charts as the most frequently used mobile, app-based browser worldwide ever since. Even on iOS devices, Google Chrome is locked in a tight competition with Apple's own Safari browser.

The release of Android 7.0 (Android Nougat) in 2016, alongside the very first Google Pixel, marked a significant shift in Google's focus towards both software and hardware. Even though Android Nougat hasn't been celebrated as one of the most impactful or popular Android versions, it currently powers 2.6% of all Android devices. The mantle for the most popular Android operating system is currently held by Android 13, making up 22.4% of the Android device market.

Chrome 120 promises a slew of updates for users on newer mobile operating systems. On Android, it introduces new visual display options for the Omnibox and toolbars, including transparency settings to handle sites that do not load correctly. As for those on Nougat, while it's unfortunate to see Chrome support drop for another older edition of Android, that seems to be the way of the tech world. It wouldn't come as a surprise if next year, Android 8.0 Oreo finds itself excluded from future Chrome for Android updates.