Security Alert: Chrome Cuts Support for Older iPhones and Macs—What It Means for Your Digital Safety

Google just pulled the plug. Chrome security updates for older Apple devices are officially ending—leaving millions of iPhones and Macs exposed.

Your aging iPhone or Mac just became a hacker's playground. No more patches. No more fixes. Just a wide-open backdoor for anyone with malicious intent.

The Unsupported List

If your device runs iOS versions before 15 or macOS versions prior to Big Sur, consider it abandoned. Google's Chrome team confirmed the cutoff applies to anything that can't run the latest Apple operating systems. That's not a suggestion—it's a hard stop on security.

Why This Cuts Deep

Browser vulnerabilities are the front door for most cyberattacks. Phishing, malware, data theft—they all start here. Without Chrome's updates, known exploits won't get fixed. Your device becomes a sitting duck.

Think of it like leaving your house keys in the door. Permanently.

The Forced Upgrade Treadmill

Apple and Google are playing a familiar game. End support for older hardware, push users toward new purchases. It's planned obsolescence dressed up as a security necessity. Your wallet feels the pinch while their ecosystems lock you in tighter.

Funny how security concerns always seem to align perfectly with upgrade cycles—almost like the tech giants have a financial stake in you buying new gear. A cynic might call that a feature, not a bug.

What You Can Do Right Now

Check your device. Update your operating system if possible. If not, switch browsers immediately—Safari still gets Apple's support, or try Firefox. But understand: this is a band-aid. The underlying platform itself is aging out of security coverage.

The real fix? Accept that your hardware has an expiration date. In the tech world, security is a subscription service—and your old device's subscription just lapsed.

Browser warnings and the end of Chrome support for old iOS devices

Apple has been messaging iOS users about browser privacy and security, telling them that Safari is a safer option than Google Chrome on their devices. In a user-facing privacy message, Apple stated, “Unlike Chrome, Safari truly helps protect your privacy.”

At the same time, Google has confirmed that millions of Mac users will soon stop receiving updates to its native browser. The change applies to devices running macOS 12 (Monterey). 

Google announced that Chrome 150 will be the final version compatible with that operating system, since Apple had already stopped supporting Monterey in mid-2024.

“Chrome 150 is the last version of Chrome that will support macOS 12 (Monterey). Chrome 151 (tentatively scheduled for release on July 28, 2026) is the first version of Chrome that requires macOS 13 Ventura or later. You’ll need to ensure your device is running macOS 13 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases,” the smartphone operating system developer said.

Those who cannot upgrade their Mac to macOS Ventura or newer will be left on an unsupported browser version.

“Older versions of Chrome will continue to work, but there will be no further updates released for users on this operating system,” the company continued, also adding that only those who upgrade to newer macOS versions will “continue to receive the latest security updates and Chrome features.”

Security researchers warn that running an unpatched browser significantly raises an internet user’s exposure to hackers. Web browsers are targets for attackers because they process untrusted content from the Internet daily. 

Almost two weeks ago, Google had to rush out updates after a vulnerability was disclosed that could expose applications to attack. Soon after, on January 13, Google Chrome’s Srinivas Sista issued a notice revealing that 10 new vulnerabilities had been identified. 

“The Chrome team is delighted to announce the promotion of Chrome 144 to the stable channel for Windows, Mac, and Linux,” Sista said. However, the statement also noted that the update WOULD “roll out over the coming days/weeks.”

Apple devices hit by WebKit flaws 

Apple has also been working to address security weaknesses in its own software. Over recent weeks, the company sent alerts about a flaw that could impact half of all iPhone users if their devices are not updated. Apple disclosed two vulnerabilities in WebKit, the browser engine that powers Safari and all browsers on iOS.

The iPhone manufacturer found flaws in several malicious websites that, when visited, could trick devices into executing harmful code without the user realizing. Once compromised, attackers could take control of the device, steal login credentials, or access financial information. 

The vulnerabilities were discovered and reported by Apple Security Engineering and Architecture and Google’s Threat Analysis Group. Apple credited Google’s team with identifying CVE-2025-43529. Third-party browsers such as Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on Apple mobile devices were also affected at the engine level.

Apple released patches for the vulnerability on several versions, including iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 for newer iPhones and iPads, iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3 for slightly older supported models.

On the Mac side, fixes were included in macOS Tahoe 26.2; on Apple TV, in tvOS 26.2; on Apple Watch, in watchOS 26.2; and on the Vision Pro headset, in visionOS 26.2. 

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