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Google Chrome

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Google Chrome

Google Chrome is a cross-platform web browser developed by Google. It was launched in 2008 for Microsoft Windows and was built with free software components from Apple WebKit and Mozilla Firefox. Versions were later released for Linux, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Android, where it is currently the default browser. The browser is also the main component of ChromeOS, on which it serves as the platform for web applications. Most of Chrome's source code comes from Google's free and open-source software project known as Chromium, but Chrome is licensed as proprietary freeware. WebKit was the original rendering engine, but Google eventually forked it to create the Blink engine; every Chrome variant except iOS used Blink as of 2017. As of March 2026, StatCounter estimates that Chrome has a 75 % worldwide browser market share on personal computers. It is the most used browser on tablets (having far surpassed Safari), and is also dominant on smartphones. With a market share of 71 % across all platforms combined as of December 2025, Chrome is the most used web browser in the world. Chrome has approximately 3 billion users as of March 2026. Google chief executive Eric Schmidt was previously involved in the "browser wars" (a part of U . corporate history) and was against the expansion of the company into such a new area. However, Google co-founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, spearheaded a software demonstration that pushed Schmidt into making Chrome a core business priority, which resulted in it becoming a commercial success. Because of the proliferation of Chrome, Google has expanded the "Chrome" brand name to other products. This includes ChromeOS, Chromecast, Chromebook, Chromebit, Chromebox, and Chromebase.

Infobox

Developer
Google
Initial release
WindowsBeta / September 2, 2008 (2008-09-02)Windows1 / December 11, 2008 (2008-12-11)macOS, LinuxPreview / June 4, 2009 (2009-06-04)macOS, LinuxBeta / December 8, 2009 (2009-12-08)Multi­platform5 / May 25, 2010 (2010-05-25)
Windows
148 / 27 May 2026 (27 May 2026)
macOS, Linux
Beta / December 8, 2009 (2009-12-08)
Multi­platform
5 / May 25, 2010 (2010-05-25)
macOS
148 / 27 May 2026 (27 May 2026)
Linux
148 / 27 May 2026 (27 May 2026)
Android
149 / 20 May 2026 (20 May 2026)
iOS, iPadOS
149 / 27 May 2026 (27 May 2026)
Extended Support Release (Windows)
148 / 27 May 2026 (27 May 2026)
Extended Support Release (macOS)
148 / 27 May 2026 (2026-05-27)
Windows, macOS, Linux
149 / 20 May 2026 (20 May 2026)
Written in
C, C , Assembly, HTML, Java (Android app only), JavaScript, Python
Engines
Blink (WebKit on iOS/iPadOS), V8 JavaScript engine
Operating system
Android 10 or later ChromeOS iOS 18 or later iPadOS 18 or later Linux macOS Monterey or later Windows 10 or later Windows Server 2016 or later
Platform
IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7, ARMv8-A
Included with
Android 10 or later ChromeOS
Predecessor
Google Toolbar
Available in
47 languages
Type
Web browser, mobile browser
License
Proprietary freeware, based on open-source components
Website
google /chrome
Repository
github /googlechrome

Tables

· Platforms
Windows
Windows
Operating system
Windows
Operating system
10 or later, Server 2016 or later
Latest version
148
Support status
2015–
7, Server 2008 R2, 8, Server 2012, 8 and Server 2012 R2
7, Server 2008 R2, 8, Server 2012, 8 and Server 2012 R2
Operating system
7, Server 2008 R2, 8, Server 2012, 8 and Server 2012 R2
Operating system
109
Latest version
2009–2023
XP, Server 2003, Vista and Server 2008
XP, Server 2003, Vista and Server 2008
Operating system
XP, Server 2003, Vista and Server 2008
Operating system
49 (IA-32)
Latest version
2008–2016
macOS
macOS
Operating system
macOS
Operating system
Ventura or later
Latest version
148
Support status
2022–
Monterey
Monterey
Operating system
Monterey
Operating system
148
Latest version
2021–2026
Big Sur
Big Sur
Operating system
Big Sur
Operating system
138
Latest version
2020–2025
Catalina
Catalina
Operating system
Catalina
Operating system
128
Latest version
2019–2024
High Sierra and Mojave
High Sierra and Mojave
Operating system
High Sierra and Mojave
Operating system
116
Latest version
2017–2023
El Capitan and Sierra
El Capitan and Sierra
Operating system
El Capitan and Sierra
Operating system
103
Latest version
2015–2022
Yosemite
Yosemite
Operating system
Yosemite
Operating system
87
Latest version
2014–2021
Mavericks
Mavericks
Operating system
Mavericks
Operating system
67
Latest version
2013–2018
Snow Leopard–Mountain Lion (x64)
Snow Leopard–Mountain Lion (x64)
Operating system
Snow Leopard–Mountain Lion (x64)
Operating system
49
Latest version
2009–2016
Snow Leopard (IA-32)
Snow Leopard (IA-32)
Operating system
Snow Leopard (IA-32)
Operating system
38
Latest version
2009–2014
Leopard (IA-32, x64)
Leopard (IA-32, x64)
Operating system
Leopard (IA-32, x64)
Operating system
21
Latest version
2008–2012
Linux (X11/Wayland)
Linux (X11/Wayland)
Operating system
Linux (X11/Wayland)
Operating system
x64
Latest version
148
Support status
2008–
IA-32
IA-32
Operating system
IA-32
Operating system
48
Latest version
2008–2016
Android
Android
Operating system
Android
Operating system
10 or later
Latest version
148
Support status
2019–
Oreo and Pie
Oreo and Pie
Operating system
Oreo and Pie
Operating system
138
Latest version
2017–2025
Nougat
Nougat
Operating system
Nougat
Operating system
119
Latest version
2016–2023
Marshmallow
Marshmallow
Operating system
Marshmallow
Operating system
106
Latest version
2015–2022
Lollipop
Lollipop
Operating system
Lollipop
Operating system
95
Latest version
2014–2021
KitKat
KitKat
Operating system
KitKat
Operating system
81
Latest version
2013–2020
Jelly Bean (ARMv7,IA-32,x64)
Jelly Bean (ARMv7,IA-32,x64)
Operating system
Jelly Bean (ARMv7,IA-32,x64)
Operating system
71
Latest version
2012–2019
Ice Cream Sandwich (ARMv7,IA-32)
Ice Cream Sandwich (ARMv7,IA-32)
Operating system
Ice Cream Sandwich (ARMv7,IA-32)
Operating system
42
Latest version
2012–2015
iOS
iOS
Operating system
iOS
Operating system
18 or later
Latest version
149
Support status
2024–
17
17
Operating system
17
Operating system
148
Latest version
2023–2026
16
16
Operating system
16
Operating system
137
Latest version
2022–2025
15
15
Operating system
15
Operating system
125
Latest version
2021–2024
14
14
Operating system
14
Operating system
113
Latest version
2020–2023
13
13
Operating system
13
Operating system
93
Latest version
2019–2021
12
12
Operating system
12
Operating system
92
Latest version
2018–2021
11
11
Operating system
11
Operating system
76
Latest version
2017–2019
10
10
Operating system
10
Operating system
71
Latest version
2016–2019
9
9
Operating system
9
Operating system
63
Latest version
2015–2018
7
7
Operating system
7
Operating system
47
Latest version
2013–2016
6
6
Operating system
6
Operating system
37
Latest version
2012–2014
4
4
Operating system
4
Operating system
29
Latest version
2011–2013
3
3
Operating system
3
Operating system
23
Latest version
2009–2012
iPadOS
iPadOS
Operating system
iPadOS
Operating system
18 or later
Latest version
149
Support status
2024–
17
17
Operating system
17
Operating system
148
Latest version
2023–2026
16
16
Operating system
16
Operating system
137
Latest version
2022–2025
15
15
Operating system
15
Operating system
125
Latest version
2021–2024
14
14
Operating system
14
Operating system
113
Latest version
2020–2023
13
13
Operating system
13
Operating system
93
Latest version
2019–2021
Operating system
Latest version
Support status
Windows
10 or later, Server 2016 or later
148
2015–
7, Server 2008 R2, 8, Server 2012, 8 and Server 2012 R2
109
2009–2023
XP, Server 2003, Vista and Server 2008
49 (IA-32)
2008–2016
macOS
Ventura or later
148
2022–
Monterey
148
2021–2026
Big Sur
138
2020–2025
Catalina
128
2019–2024
High Sierra and Mojave
116
2017–2023
El Capitan and Sierra
103
2015–2022
Yosemite
87
2014–2021
Mavericks
67
2013–2018
Snow Leopard–Mountain Lion (x64)
49
2009–2016
Snow Leopard (IA-32)
38
2009–2014
Leopard (IA-32, x64)
21
2008–2012
Linux (X11/Wayland)
x64
148
2008–
IA-32
48
2008–2016
Android
10 or later
148
2019–
Oreo and Pie
138
2017–2025
Nougat
119
2016–2023
Marshmallow
106
2015–2022
Lollipop
95
2014–2021
KitKat
81
2013–2020
Jelly Bean (ARMv7,IA-32,x64)
71
2012–2019
Ice Cream Sandwich (ARMv7,IA-32)
42
2012–2015
iOS
18 or later
149
2024–
17
148
2023–2026
16
137
2022–2025
15
125
2021–2024
14
113
2020–2023
13
93
2019–2021
12
92
2018–2021
11
76
2017–2019
10
71
2016–2019
9
63
2015–2018
7
47
2013–2016
6
37
2012–2014
4
29
2011–2013
3
23
2009–2012
iPadOS
18 or later
149
2024–
17
148
2023–2026
16
137
2022–2025
15
125
2021–2024
14
113
2020–2023
13
93
2019–2021
Tracking methods · Criticism › Privacy › User tracking concerns
Installation
Installation
Method
Installation
Information sent
Randomly generated token included in an installer; used to measure the success rate of Google Chrome once at installation
When
On installation
Optional?
No
Opt-in?
—N/a
RLZ identifier
RLZ identifier
Method
RLZ identifier
Information sent
Encoded string, according to Google, contains non-identifying information on where Chrome was downloaded from and its installation week; it is used to measure promotional campaigns; Google provides source code to decode this string Can be disabled in ChromeOS. For Chrome browsers running in all other operating systems: Desktop versions of Chrome c
When
On Google search query On first launch and first use of address bar
Optional?
Partial
Opt-in?
No
clientID
clientID
Method
clientID
Information sent
Unique identifier along with user preferences, logs of use metrics, and crashes
When
Unknown
Optional?
Yes
Opt-in?
Yes
Omnibox predictions
Omnibox predictions
Method
Omnibox predictions
Information sent
Text typed into the address bar is sent to the user's search engine when not in incognito mode. When in incognito mode, the suggestions are created on-device instead.
When
While typing
Optional?
Yes
Opt-in?
No
Google Update
Google Update
Method
Google Update
Information sent
Information about how often Chrome is used, details about the OS, and the Chrome version
When
Periodically
Optional?
Partial
Opt-in?
No
Method
Information sent
When
Optional?
Opt-in?
Installation
Randomly generated token included in an installer; used to measure the success rate of Google Chrome once at installation
On installation
No
—N/a
RLZ identifier
Encoded string, according to Google, contains non-identifying information on where Chrome was downloaded from and its installation week; it is used to measure promotional campaigns; Google provides source code to decode this string Can be disabled in ChromeOS. For Chrome browsers running in all other operating systems: Desktop versions of Chrome c
On Google search query On first launch and first use of address bar
Partial
No
clientID
Unique identifier along with user preferences, logs of use metrics, and crashes
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Omnibox predictions
Text typed into the address bar is sent to the user's search engine when not in incognito mode. When in incognito mode, the suggestions are created on-device instead.
While typing
Yes
No
Google Update
Information about how often Chrome is used, details about the OS, and the Chrome version
Periodically
Partial
No

References

  1. Chrome's WebKit and Blink layout engines and its V8 JavaScript engine are each free and open-source software, while its other components are each either open-source or proprietary. However, section 9 of Google Chrome's T
    https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/privacy/eula_text.html
  2. RLZ can be disabled in Chrome OS, and is not sent on desktop versions of Chrome if it was downloaded directly from Google. RLZ cannot be disabled on mobile versions of Chrome.
  3. Requires advanced user intervention
  4. "Stable Channel Update for Desktop [Windows]"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0877304591.html
  5. "Stable Channel Update for Desktop [macOS]"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0877304591.html
  6. "Stable Channel Update for Desktop [Linux]"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0877304591.html
  7. "Chrome for Android Update"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/chrome-for-android-update_0815229315.html
  8. "Chrome Stable for iOS Update"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/chrome-stable-for-ios-update_0206811855.html
  9. "Stable Channel Update for Desktop"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0877304591.html
  10. "Stable Channel Update for Desktop"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0877304591.html
  11. "Chrome Beta for Desktop Update"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/chrome-beta-for-desktop-update_01135482202.html
  12. "Chrome Beta for Android Update"
    2026
    https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/chrome-beta-for-android-update_01005207921.html
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