Google Shifts Chrome to Two-Week Release Cycle in 2026

Google announced on Thursday that its Chrome browser will shift to a new major version release every two weeks, starting with version 153 on September 8, 2026. The change, which applies to desktop, Android, and iOS platforms, aims to deliver security updates, bug fixes, performance enhancements, and new features more rapidly to users and developers.

The accelerated schedule marks a significant evolution in Chrome's development cycle. Prior to 2021, the browser followed a six-week milestone pattern for major releases. That year, Google shortened it to four weeks, and in 2023, the company introduced weekly security patches. The upcoming two-week cadence builds on these adjustments, responding to the evolving demands of the web platform and increasing security threats. Each update will include fewer changes than before, which Google officials say will minimize potential disruptions and streamline troubleshooting if issues arise.

Beta versions will align with the faster pace, arriving three weeks ahead of each stable release to give developers early access to upcoming improvements. The Dev and Canary channels, used primarily for testing, will remain on their existing schedules. For...