Chrome Sync has long been one of the standout features of Google’s web browser, allowing seamless transitions between devices while keeping bookmarks, passwords, tabs, and other data intact. However, this convenient feature is about to be phased out for older versions of Chrome, as announced by Google in a recent community post. Starting in early 2025, Chrome Sync will no longer be available for versions of Chrome that are more than four years old.
If you’re using one of these older versions, you’ll likely encounter error messages prompting you to update Chrome in order to keep using Sync. Phrases like “Update Chrome to start sync” or “Update Chrome to keep using the Chrome data in your Google Account” will appear. To continue syncing your data, you’ll need to update to the latest version of Chrome compatible with your device.
For those who can’t update Chrome for any reason, this will unfortunately mean the end of Chrome Sync. If that’s the case, it might be time to consider switching to a different browser that offers sync functionality and can still be kept up-to-date. Google’s move makes sense, as they want users to stay on the latest versions, which offer better security and patch vulnerabilities. Outdated versions of Chrome become more vulnerable to malware, exploits, and security risks, so updating is in your best interest.
