Chrome 150 Is the Last Release for macOS Monterey (2026)

Chrome 150, targeting a stable release around June 30, 2026, is the final Chrome version that supports macOS 12 Monterey. Chrome 151, expected July 28, 2026, requires macOS 13 Ventura as the minimum. Macs that cannot run Ventura will be frozen at Chrome 150 permanently, with no further security patches from Google.

Key takeaways

• Chrome 151 drops Monterey on July 28, 2026. Chrome 150 keeps running but gets no security updates after that date.
• Check your Mac first. Several 2015-2017 Mac models cannot upgrade past Monterey, even if Chrome prompts you to update macOS.
• Three realistic options exist: upgrade macOS if your Mac supports it, switch to Firefox or Brave (both still support Monterey as of May 2026), or buy a newer Mac.

The Hard Cutoff: What Changes on July 28, 2026

On July 28, 2026, Chrome 151 ships as the stable release. Chrome’s update system on macOS Monterey will detect that the new version requires macOS 13 and stop updating your browser. Chrome 150 stays installed and keeps working. It will display a warning banner at the top of browser windows advising you to upgrade.

What changes after that date:

Google confirmed this timeline in January 2026. MacRumors reported on January 12, 2026 that Chrome 150 would be the final Monterey-compatible version. 9to5Google confirmed the July 28 Chrome 151 date on January 23, 2026. Google’s support page lists macOS 12 Monterey as the current minimum, which will rise to macOS 13 Ventura with Chrome 151.

What “No Security Updates” Actually Means

Chrome ships security patches roughly every four weeks aligned with its major release cycle. Each Chrome version contains dozens of security fixes, often including patches for actively exploited vulnerabilities. After Chrome 150, Monterey users will not receive any of those patches.

The practical risk compounds over time. In the first few weeks after July 28, Chrome 150 is nearly as secure as the current version. By late 2026 and into 2027, the gap widens significantly. Unpatched browser vulnerabilities are a primary vector for drive-by malware and credential theft.

If you use Chrome for banking, work logins, or anything involving sensitive accounts, staying on an unpatched browser past late 2026 carries real risk.

Which Macs Are Stranded on Monterey

macOS Ventura requires specific hardware. If your Mac is older than the minimum below, it cannot run Ventura and will be stuck at Monterey and Chrome 150.

Macs that cannot run Ventura (stranded):

Macs that CAN upgrade to Ventura (not stranded):

• iMac 2017 or later
• MacBook Air 2018 or later
• MacBook Pro 2017 or later
• Mac mini 2018 or later
• Mac Pro 2019 or later
• MacBook (12-inch) 2017
• iMac Pro 2017
• Mac Studio (all models)

Ventura minimum requirements come from Apple’s official macOS Ventura compatibility page (HT213264). The 2017 MacBook (12-inch) is the minimum MacBook model that can run Ventura, meaning the 2016 MacBook is stranded.

How to Check What macOS Your Mac Supports

Before deciding on a path forward, confirm your Mac model and what macOS it can run.

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Note the Mac model name and year shown in the Overview tab.
4. Cross-reference against the table above.

If you are already on macOS Monterey and your Mac model appears in the “can upgrade” list, scroll down to Option 1 below. If your Mac model appears in the stranded list, skip to Options 2, 3, and 4.

You can also verify the supported macOS ceiling for any Apple product at everymac.com by searching your model.

Option 1: Upgrade to Ventura or Sonoma

If your Mac supports Ventura or newer, upgrading is the cleanest path. You stay on Chrome and get all future security updates.

macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia are all free downloads from the Mac App Store. Apple does not charge for macOS upgrades.

Before upgrading:

• Back up your Mac with Time Machine or clone your drive. Upgrade failures are rare but happen.
• Check that your critical apps support the newer macOS version. Developer tools, audio software, and some older creative apps occasionally have compatibility gaps on major macOS releases.
• Free at least 20-25 GB of disk space for the installer download and installation process.

After upgrading, Chrome will resume normal update behavior and install Chrome 151+ when it becomes available.

Option 2: Switch to Firefox or Brave

If your Mac cannot run Ventura, switching browsers is the most practical security-first move.

Firefox supports macOS Monterey as of May 2026 and has committed to maintaining older macOS support through its Extended Support Release (ESR) channel. Firefox ESR receives security patches on a longer cycle specifically designed for users who cannot keep up with rapid release cadences. Mozilla has historically maintained macOS support longer than Google does for Chrome.

Brave is built on the same Chromium engine as Chrome, so most Chrome extensions install directly on Brave. As of May 2026, Brave supports Monterey. Brave’s release cycle mirrors Chromium’s, so verify their support policy before relying on it long-term on an older Mac.

Migrating from Chrome to Firefox:

1. In Chrome, go to Settings > You and Google > Export bookmarks (downloads an HTML file).
2. In Firefox, go to Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Import Bookmarks from HTML.
3. For passwords: Chrome exports to a CSV file (Settings > Autofill > Password Manager > Export). Firefox imports CSV from the same Autofill section in its settings.
4. Most Chrome extensions have Firefox equivalents. Search the Firefox Add-ons store for names you recognize.

Migrating from Chrome to Brave: Brave has a built-in importer. On first launch, or via Settings > Import Bookmarks and Settings, you can pull bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and extensions directly from Chrome in one step.

Option 3: Stay on Chrome 150

Chrome 150 continues working after July 28, 2026. This is a legitimate short-term option if you need more time to evaluate a path forward. It is not a permanent solution.

The warning banner Chrome will display is dismissible. Your existing extensions continue working. Sites you use today will load normally. The risk is not immediate.

Set a personal deadline for transitioning by end of 2026. The longer Chrome 150 sits without patches, the wider the vulnerability gap becomes relative to the current Chrome version.

Option 4: Buy a Mac That Supports Ventura

If your Mac is already aged out of Ventura support, the hardware is likely 8-12 years old. A newer Mac solves both the browser problem and everything else running slowly on aging hardware.

Entry pricing as of May 2026:

• Mac mini (M4, 2024): starts around $599. Runs macOS Sequoia, supports Chrome 151 and beyond.
• MacBook Air (M3, 2024): starts around $1,099.
• Refurbished Mac mini (M1, 2020): available from Apple’s certified refurbished store for less, supports Ventura and newer.

A 2012 or 2015 iMac or MacBook Air replaced by an M-series Mac is not just a browser fix. macOS runs faster, battery life is better on laptops, and the machine will receive macOS and security updates for the next 7-8 years.

Keeping Chrome Fast While You Decide

If you are staying on Chrome 150 through the transition period, tab suspension helps on older Macs where RAM is limited. SuperchargePerformance works with Chrome 100 and newer, which includes Chrome 150. It suspends inactive tabs via Chrome’s native discard API, releasing RAM back to macOS without killing the tab. Older iMacs and MacBooks often have 8 GB of RAM or less, where suspension of background tabs has the most measurable impact.

The extension has no account requirement, no telemetry, and the core features are free.

What to Do Before July 28

• If your Mac supports Ventura: back up and upgrade before July 28. Chrome 151 will install automatically once you are on Ventura.
• If your Mac is stranded: install Firefox or Brave now, migrate your bookmarks and passwords, and use Chrome 150 as a fallback while you transition. Don’t wait until the warning banner appears.
• If you’re not sure: go to Apple menu > About This Mac and compare your model and year against the model table above.

The deadline is concrete: July 28, 2026. Six weeks from the article’s May 2026 publication date is enough time to make a clean transition without rushing.