Keeping your web browser up to date is an important way to ensure a good browsing experience. The process varies slightly for each of the four main browsers -- Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari -- but is quick and easy to do.
Your browsers will self-update on an intermittent basis, but if you follow the steps below, you'll be sure that you have the current version of each.
Chrome
Normally, Chrome updates happen in the background when you close and reopen the Chrome browser. If you haven't closed your browser in a while, you might see a pending update:
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, look at More
- If an update is pending, you will see a small colored icon like this:
- Green: An update was released less than 2 days ago.
- Orange: An update was released about 4 days ago.
- Red: An update was released at least a week ago.
- To update Google Chrome:
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More
- Click Update Google Chrome.
- Important: If you can't find this button, you're already on the latest version.
- Click Relaunch.
The browser saves your opened tabs and windows and reopens them automatically when it restarts. Your Incognito windows won't reopen when Chrome restarts. If you'd prefer not to restart right away, click Not now. The next time you restart your browser, the update will be applied.
Visit chrome://settings/help to confirm that Chrome is up to date.
Here are two views of the About Chrome page. The first is from a machine managed by Brown, noted in the yellow highlighted line near the bottom of the image.
An example from a personal machine:
Source: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414
Microsoft Edge
By default, Microsoft Edge automatically updates when you restart your browser. However, should you need to manually download an update, here are the steps.
Update once
In the browser, go to Settings and more > Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge (edge://settings/help).
- If the About page shows Microsoft Edge is up to date., you don't need to do anything.
- If the About page shows An update is available. Select Download and install to proceed. Network charges may apply., select Download and install. Microsoft Edge will download the update an apply it the next time you restart Microsoft Edge. Note that if you're on cellular network, downloading the update may incur charges.
- If the About page shows To finish updating, restart Microsoft Edge., select Restart. The update is already downloaded and all you need to do is restart the browser for it to be applied.
Always stay up to date
We recommend that you always stay up to date to keep your browser secure and working properly.
In the browser, go to Settings and more > About Microsoft Edge (edge://settings/help). Depending on where you purchased your device, you may see one or both of following toggles:
- Download and install updates automatically
- Download updates over metered connections. (in the example below, with toggle set to automatically update)
Turn on any available toggles to always allow automatic downloads of updates. Note that turning on Download updates over metered connections might incur charges if you're connected to a cellular network.
Firefox
By default, Firefox updates automatically. You can always update manually, in which case an update is downloaded but not installed until you restart Firefox.
- On the menu bar click the Firefox menu and select Help, then About Firefox.
- The About Firefox window opens. Firefox will check for updates and download them automatically.
- When the download is complete, click Restart to update Firefox.
Source: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-release
Safari
The Safari browser is fully integrated into Apple’s operating systems that you don’t have to keep it up to date. All you have to do to update Safari is install macOS or iOS updates and you’re covered.
To keep your Mac up to date, see Apple's documentation on macOS security updates.
- On macOS Mojave or later, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, then click Software Update to check for updates.
- On macOS High Sierra or earlier, open the App Store app on your Mac and click Updates in the App Store toolbar. Click “Update All” to update all available software update.