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Google is running a beta for a new Chrome update requiring iOS 17 or iPadOS 17. Chrome will not release on older versions, including iOS 16. Models older than that will not be able to install or update the browser due to this enforcement.
According to MacRumors, Chrome version 138.7204.13 will cease to be compatible with iPhone X, iPhone 8, 9.7‑inch iPad Pro (2016), 12.9‑inch iPad Pro (2015), and 5th‑gen iPad (2017). This change correlates well with Apple's switch to iOS 17, which already treats this lot of devices as obsolete due to a lack of support in many system updates.
The users affected will no longer get Chrome security patches and bug fixes after this update. The longer they wait, the more they will experience security vulnerabilities or breaches. If users do not have an iPhone or iPad on the newest hardware, they will have to buy new iPhones/iPads to use Chrome safely.
In the future version of Chrome, there are many big new features coming to supported hardware. iPad users will be able to utilize tab groups that allow them to organize multiple tabs with names and colors.
The Chrome feature also plans to introduce greatly improved passkey syncing with end-to-end encryption over iPhones, iPads, and Macs. These will enhance both productivity and security.
The beta is currently out on TestFlight, but Google has not given any official release date. Tech analysts have reasoned that this might fast-track the Chrome development and put a little more focus on working on new-age hardware.
The Chrome update suggests increasing focus on the support of newer devices. While the removal of legacy hardware support will upset several users, it allows for benefits in speed and security on newer hardware (and versions of Chrome).
There might be more pruning of such installations in the future, especially since both Chrome and the mobile app ecosystem have begun ramping up featured additions for the more recent devices.
