In a move to align with Apple’s own software lifecycle, Google officially announced on January 10, 2026, that it is sunsetting support for macOS 12 Monterey.
Chrome 150 will be the final version of the browser to support Monterey. Starting with Chrome 151, tentatively scheduled for release on July 28, 2026, users will be required to have macOS 13 Ventura or later to receive updates.
1. The Sunset Timeline
Google typically phases out support for older operating systems once the manufacturer (Apple) stops providing mainstream security patches.
| Chrome Version | Supported OS | Release Status (Est.) |
| Chrome 144 | macOS 12 Monterey & up | Current Stable (Jan 2026) |
| Chrome 150 | macOS 12 Monterey & up | Final Supported Version |
| Chrome 151 | macOS 13 Ventura & up | July 28, 2026 |
2. What Happens After July 2026?
If you are unable to upgrade your Mac to macOS 13 Ventura, your browser will enter a “frozen” state:
- The Browser Still Works: Chrome will not suddenly stop launching. You can still access your bookmarks, history, and the open web.
- Security Risk: You will stop receiving critical security patches, making your system increasingly vulnerable to new zero-day exploits.
- Feature Freeze: You will miss out on 2026’s AI integrations and performance improvements.
- Warning Messages: Chrome will display a persistent “infobar” notification on Monterey machines, alerting you that the browser is out of date.
3. Affected “Stranded” Macs
Because macOS Ventura dropped support for several Intel-based models, those machines are now effectively at the end of their professional life for Chrome users:
- iMac: 2015 and 2016 models.
- MacBook Air: 2015 and 2017 models.
- MacBook Pro: 2015 and 2016 models.
- MacBook (12-inch): 2016 model.
- Mac mini: Late 2014 model.
4. Your Options for Staying Secure
Option A: The Official Upgrade
If your Mac supports it, upgrade to macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 14 Sonoma, or macOS 15 Sequoia via the “Software Update” section in System Preferences. This will automatically unlock future Chrome versions.
Option B: Switch Browsers
Historically, browsers like Firefox and Brave tend to support older macOS versions for a few months longer than Chrome. However, they too will eventually follow suit as the underlying Chromium engine drops support.
Option C: OpenCore Legacy Patcher (Advanced)
For tech-savvy users, the OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) tool can allow older, unsupported Macs to run newer versions of macOS. This would technically allow you to install macOS Ventura or Sonoma on a 2015 MacBook, thereby enabling Chrome updates. Note: This is a third-party community tool and is not officially supported by Apple or Google.
Conclusion: A Necessary Security Shift
Google’s decision follows a predictable four-year support window for Apple operating systems. With macOS Monterey no longer receiving security updates from Apple, Google can no longer guarantee a secure browsing experience on that foundation. If you rely on your Mac for banking or sensitive work, the July 2026 deadline should be your signal to begin planning for a hardware upgrade.
