41/68 Thursday, January 30, 2025
Google has announced that it will discontinue the Chrome Sync feature for users running Google Chrome versions older than four years, starting in early 2025. This decision aims to encourage users to update their browsers to the latest version for improved security and performance.
Chrome Sync is a feature that allows users to synchronize various data across devices signed into the same Google account. Synced data includes bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, open tabs, settings, preferences, and, in some cases, payment information via Google Pay. Additionally, this feature enables users to sign in automatically to Google services such as Gmail, YouTube, and Search.
Users running Chrome versions older than four years will start receiving notifications prompting them to update their browsers to continue using Chrome Sync. Failure to update will result in the loss of access to this feature, potentially affecting cross-device functionality and synced data access. Google has stated that discontinuing Chrome Sync support for outdated versions is part of its effort to ensure users migrate to newer versions with up-to-date security patches, reducing vulnerabilities found in older versions.
According to data from StatCounter, Google Chrome holds a global browser market share of 68.34% across all platforms and 66.83% on desktops. This announcement could drive a significant number of users to update their browsers to maintain access to essential features like Chrome Sync. The discontinuation of Chrome Sync for older versions highlights the importance of keeping software updated for security and performance reasons. Chrome users who wish to continue using this feature are advised to update their browsers to the latest version to avoid potential disruptions and ensure their personal data remains secure.
