Google has recently announced that Chrome sync, which allows users to synchronize their browsing data, bookmarks, extensions, etc., between the browser and Google account, will soon stop working for outdated versions of Chrome.
Starting in early 2025, Chrome sync will no longer function on browser versions older than four years.
The company has not yet specified a particular version number. Still, it has indicated that users will see error messages such as “Update Chrome to start sync” or “Update Chrome to keep using the Chrome data in your Google Account” if their browser is old.
Google has already started to reduce the importance of Chrome sync by automatically syncing addresses, passwords, and payment details when users sign into Chrome, without requiring a separate activation of the sync feature. However, the browsing data, bookmarks, and extensions will still only be shared if sync is turned on.
So, you should update your browsers to continue using Chrome sync and benefit from new features and security updates.
The change will not affect users on Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1, as the latest available Chrome version for these systems is still within the four-year window.