In a recent update to its Chrome Platform Status page, Google confirmed that Chrome 138 will be the final release to offer support for macOS 11 “Big Sur,” Apple’s desktop operating system introduced in November 2020. From Chrome 139 onward, installations will require macOS 12 “Monterey” or later, effectively ending official Chrome updates on Big Sur machines. Users who remain on Big Sur will still be able to launch Chrome 138, but they’ll see a persistent warning infobar and won’t receive any further security patches, feature improvements, or performance enhancements.

Software vendors routinely sunset older platforms once a critical mass of users have migrated, allowing engineering teams to focus on current technologies and security baselines. Apple itself halted Safari updates for Big Sur in July 2023, illustrating its own lifecycle policy for desktop releases. Google’s decision aligns with a broader industry trend: Chrome’s development resources are better spent on modern APIs, faster JavaScript engines, and the latest security protocols that older macOS versions simply can’t accommodate.

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• Google Chrome 138 is the last update for Android Oreo and Pie

Chrome 138 is rolling out now to the Stable channel, and Big Sur users will notice two key changes:

1. Warning infobar: A banner inside the browser will alert users that they’re running an unsupported OS and encourage them to upgrade.
2. End of updates: Automatic updates will halt at 138. While existing installations remain functional, any newly discovered vulnerabilities or bugs will go unpatched.

According to Google’s roadmap, Chrome 139 is slated for general release at the end of July 2025—around July 31, if past schedules hold. At that point:

• Any new Chrome install or major update will detect the host OS and refuse to proceed on macOS 11.
• Users attempting to run Chrome 139+ on Big Sur will encounter an installation blocker.

Remaining on an unsupported browser exposes users to growing security risks. Chrome’s security team patches zero‑day exploits rapidly, but Big Sur holdouts will miss these fixes. Moreover, recent Chrome releases introduced:

• New built‑in AI capabilities (e.g., text summarization via internal APIs)
• Advanced CSS functions for responsive designs
• Support for foldable and dual‑screen devices via the Viewport Segments API

These modern features won’t backport to Chrome 138, so users will face increasing compatibility issues with cutting‑edge web apps and sites.

Adoption of macOS Monterey (12.x) and later has been robust—Apple reports over 80 percent of active Macs running a version newer than Big Sur as of early 2025. However, some professionals and creatives stick with Big Sur for legacy software or hardware compatibility. For these users, the loss of Chrome updates is a significant consideration, especially in environments where browser security is paramount.

If upgrading the OS isn’t immediately feasible—perhaps due to hardware limitations or enterprise policies—users have a few options:

• Switch to Firefox: Mozilla continues to support Big Sur, though its longer‑term plans are always subject to change.
• Use Microsoft Edge: Built on Chromium, Edge still offers updates for macOS 11, but its support timeline could mirror Chrome’s in the future.
• Stay with Safari: Apple’s own browser may receive security patches sporadically, although feature development is focused on newer macOS versions.

For most users, moving to macOS Monterey or Ventura is straightforward:

1. Check compatibility: Macs from 2013 or later generally support Monterey (macOS 12) and even Ventura (macOS 13).
2. Backup data: Use Time Machine or another backup solution.
3. Download from the App Store: Install the new OS in-place without data loss.

After upgrading, Chrome will resume seamless updates, ensuring you stay current with security fixes and features.

If you’re on macOS Big Sur, prepare for Chrome 138 to be your final supported release. Plan an OS upgrade—or switch browsers—to keep your web experience secure and up‑to‑date.