Latest news with #EllenT.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
Google Chrome to stop working on older Android devices: Last date, and other details to know
Google Chrome will stop supporting Android 8.0 Oreo and Android 9.0 Pie starting with version 139, according to Chrome Support Manager Ellen T. The announcement was made on the official Chrome support forums. After this update – scheduled for release on August 5, 2025, Chrome will only work on Android 10 or newer, leaving users with older phones unable to receive further updates. 'Chrome 138 is the last version of Chrome that will support Android 8.0 (Oreo) and Android 9.0 (Pie),' Ellen wrote in the forum. While users can continue using Chrome version 138 on their Android 8 and 9 devices, they will no longer receive new features, performance improvements, or critical security updates. Over time, this could affect the browser's performance and leave devices more vulnerable to threats. To recall, Android 8.0 was first released in 2017, and Android 9.0 followed in 2018. Despite their age, these operating systems still have a notable user base. Based on Google's platform distribution data from April 2025, about 4% of Android devices run Oreo, while 5.8% use Pie. Android 10, by comparison, powers over 10% of devices. What happens to Chrome users on devices running Android 8 and 9 For users still on Android 8 or 9, one option is to keep using Chrome 138, although it's not recommended due to the lack of security updates. Another alternative is to switch to browsers like Firefox, which continues to support devices running Android 5.0 and above. However, compatibility varies across browsers, and some may not function properly on older systems. Ultimately, upgrading to a newer Android device is the most reliable solution to ensure ongoing support and security for apps like Chrome. Realme GT 7: 7000mAh Battery, 120W Charging & Flagship Power Under Rs 40K!
Engadget
20-06-2025
- Engadget
Windows parental controls are blocking Chrome
Stop me if you've heard this one before: Microsoft is making it harder to use Chrome on Windows. The culprit? This time, it's Windows' Family Safety feature. Since early this month, the parental control measure has prevented users from opening Chrome. Strangely, no other apps or browsers appear to be affected. Redditors first reported the issue on June 3 (via The Verge ). u/Witty-Discount-2906 posted that Chrome crashed on Windows 11. "Just flashes quickly, unable to open with no error message," they wrote. Another user chimed in with a correct guess. "This may be related to Parental Controls," u/duk242 surmised. "I've had nine students come see the IT Desk in the last hour saying Chrome won't open." A Google spokesperson pointed Engadget to a statement in its community forum. "Our team has investigated these reports and determined the cause of this behavior," Community Manager Ellen T. wrote. "For some users, Chrome is unable to run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled." Curiously, Microsoft hasn't fixed the bug after 17 days. (Go figure!) Windows Family Safety is an optional parental control feature for families and schools. It lets them manage children's screen time, filter their web browsing and monitor their activity. There are a couple of workarounds while we wait for the company to take action. One is to turn off the "Filter Inappropriate Websites" setting in Family Safety. However, that removes the security feature, letting the kids run wild on the World Wide Web. (Weeee!!) A simpler fix is to navigate to your Chrome folder and rename to something like . Engadget emailed Microsoft for a comment. We haven't heard back, but we'll update this story if we do. If you've ever installed Chrome on Windows, this bug may trigger deja vu. Microsoft has a long history of desperate tricks to keep you on its default products. That has included obnoxious prompts, pop-up ads for Bing and begging users to stick with Edge. At least European users will get some relief. Microsoft is scaling back its cheap tactics there to comply with EU regulations.
