Google Chrome Introduces New Two-Week Release Cycle This September

Key Takeaways

1. Chrome will switch to a biweekly release schedule for stable and beta versions starting September 2026.
2. The first version under this new schedule will be Chrome version 153, launching on September 8, 2026.
3. The quicker release cycle aims to provide faster updates and fixes, making tracking issues easier.
4. The Dev and Canary versions will maintain their current release schedules, unaffected by the change.
5. An Extended Stable option will continue for enterprises, allowing an eight-week upgrade cycle for managed fleets.

Google has announced that Chrome will shift from its current four-week major version release schedule to a new system of stable (and beta) releases every two weeks, starting in September 2026. This transition will kick off with Chrome version 153, which is set to launch on September 8, 2026. This change will affect Chrome on desktop, Android, and iOS platforms.

Faster Improvements

In their announcement, Google presents the quicker release cycle as a way to deliver updates and fixes to users more rapidly. By making each version smaller, they believe this will lessen interruptions and simplify tracking issues that arise after a release.

Dev and Canary Remain Unchanged

Google also mentioned that the Dev and Canary versions of Chrome will not see any changes in their release schedules.

Extended Stable for Enterprises

For those organizations that may struggle with biweekly major upgrades, Google will continue to offer the Extended Stable option, which will maintain an eight-week milestone cycle. The company’s documentation for enterprise users specifies that Extended Stable is designed for managed fleets on Windows and Mac, advising administrators on management policies and installation options.

In summary, the new release rhythm will enable a beta and stable version every two weeks, with a Chrome Beta for each version being available three weeks prior to the stable release. Google has also stressed that Chromebook updates will still rely on platform testing, promising to provide additional information later about how updates for managed Chromebooks will align with the new browser release schedule.

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