Chrome updates itself to install security fixes, and Google recommends leaving that on. On a home Windows or Mac computer there is no setting to turn Chrome updates off. Google’s supported way to stop them is an administrator policy on managed computers. On Linux, Android and iPhone you control updates through the package manager or app store. This guide shows each option and what you give up.
Disabling Chrome Auto-Updates on Windows
On Windows, Chrome is updated by Google Update. Google’s Manage Chrome updates (Windows) guide for administrators describes the supported way to turn updates off with Group Policy:
- Install Google’s Google Update policy template (ADMX) in Group Policy.
- In Group Policy, under Computer Configuration, go to Google > Google Update > Applications > Google Chrome.
- Turn on Update policy override.
- Under Options, choose Disable updates.
Google notes that only domain-joined or MDM-managed computers honor these policies, so this does not work on an ordinary home PC. Google Update also keeps checking for updates, and browser components such as Widevine DRM keep updating unless you also turn off component updates. When updates are off this way, About Chrome shows that updates are disabled by an administrator.
Instead of turning updates off, an administrator can also schedule them outside work hours, pin Chrome to a version for testing, or move computers to the Extended stable channel. All of these are in the same Google guide.
Disabling Chrome Auto-Updates on macOS
On a Mac, Chrome is updated by Google Software Update. Administrators control it with a com.google.Keystone.plist configuration profile, usually deployed through an MDM system, by setting the UpdateDefault key as described in Google’s Manage Chrome updates (Mac) guide. Google gives the same warning as on Windows: it does not recommend turning off browser updates.
Disabling Chrome Auto-Updates on Linux
On Linux, Google says Chrome updates through your package manager, so it updates when you install system updates. On Debian and Ubuntu you can hold the package so that upgrades skip it:
- Open Terminal.
- Run
sudo apt-mark hold google-chrome-stable. - To allow updates again, run
sudo apt-mark unhold google-chrome-stable.
The apt-mark manual explains that a held package is not automatically installed, upgraded or removed.
Disabling Chrome Auto-Updates on Android and iOS
On phones and tablets, Chrome updates through the app store, and you can turn off automatic updates there.
On Android
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- At the top right, tap your profile picture.
- Tap Manage apps & device > Manage, then tap Chrome.
- On Chrome’s details page, tap More (⋮) and turn off Enable auto update.
Google Play notes that it may still install an update that fixes a critical security vulnerability, whatever your settings (Google Play help).
On iOS
iOS does not let you turn off updates for one app. You can turn off automatic updates for all apps:
- Open Settings, then tap Apps.
- Tap App Store.
- Turn off App Updates.
The App Store then notifies you when updates are released (Apple’s steps).
Enterprise Update Control
In a company or school, Chrome updates are normally managed by the IT department with Group Policy, a Mac configuration profile or the Google Admin console. If Chrome says updates are disabled by your administrator, open chrome://policy to see the policies that apply, and ask your IT team before changing anything.
Risks of Disabling Chrome Updates
Google warns that turning off updates stops software fixes and security patches from reaching Chrome and puts you at risk of crashes and security vulnerabilities. If you must turn them off, plan to turn them back on soon.
- Security vulnerabilities: without updates, known security holes stay open.
- Compatibility issues: websites may stop working correctly on an old version.
- Missing features: you do not get new features and fixes.
To update again later, see how to update Chrome.