How do you update your browser?

[How to update your browser]: Risk of 85% cyberattacks

Failing to understand how to update your browser exposes devices to significant security risks. Neglecting this routine maintenance actively degrades user experience and breaks compatibility with modern web standards. Keeping software current remains the most effective method to prevent vulnerability exploitation.

Why Is My Browser Acting Weird?

Does your browser feel sluggish, or are websites loading with broken layouts? While these symptoms can stem from various causes—like poor internet connection or bloated cache—the culprit is often simpler than you think: an outdated browser version. Before you panic about viruses or call tech support, checking for an update is the single most effective troubleshooting step you can take.

The Hidden Cost of Ignoring That "Update" Button

Weve all done it. You see the notification, and you swipe it away. Youre busy. You have 50 tabs open. Youll do it later.

But heres the kicker.

Delaying updates doesnt just leave you vulnerable to security threats; it actively degrades your experience. Modern browsers like Chrome and Edge are built on the Chromium engine, which pushes significant updates roughly every four weeks. Missing just two or three cycles can leave you unable to render modern web standards. Statistics indicate that unpatched software accounts for a massive portion of successful cyberattacks—some estimates place this figure as high as 85% depending on the sector. ^[2]

I learned this the hard way. Years ago, I ignored a Chrome update for months because I was terrified of losing my session data. The result? My browser started consuming 4GB of RAM for three tabs and crashed during a client presentation. The update I was avoiding actually contained a patch for that specific memory leak. Lesson learned.

There is also a counterintuitive performance factor most people miss—Ill explain this silent resource drain in the troubleshooting section below.

How to Update Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge

Since both browsers share the same DNA (Chromium), their update process is nearly identical. They usually update in the background when you close and reopen the browser. But if you—like me—tend to leave your browser open for weeks at a time, you need to trigger it manually.

The "Three-Dot" Method

Look at the top-right corner of your browser window. See those three vertical dots (Chrome) or horizontal dots (Edge)? Thats your command center.

1. Click the three dots menu. 2. Hover over Help (Chrome) or Help and feedback (Edge). 3. Select About Google Chrome or About Microsoft Edge.

Once you land on that page, the magic happens automatically. The browser will check for updates and start downloading immediately. No Download button required. Once it hits 100%, youll see a Relaunch button. Click it. Your tabs will reopen right where you left them—usually.

Updating Firefox: The Independent Route

Firefox users often pride themselves on using a non-Chromium browser, and the update process is slightly more transparent. Mozilla typically releases updates every 4 weeks. ^[3]

To force an update check: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Click Help. Select About Firefox.

Unlike Chrome, which sometimes hides the download progress, Firefox opens a small window showing you exactly whats happening. It feels a bit more manual, but it gives you peace of mind that something is actually changing.

The Safari Anomaly (Mac, iPhone, iPad)

If you are looking for an About Safari button to update, stop looking. You wont find it.

Its confusing. Truly.

Apple treats Safari as a core component of the operating system, not just an app. This means you dont update the browser; you update macOS or iOS. To get the latest version of Safari, you must go to System Settings > General > Software Update. If your Mac is too old to run the latest macOS, you might be stuck with an older version of Safari—a major frustration for users with perfectly good 5-year-old hardware.

Mobile Browsers: The App Store Shuffle

On Android and iOS, browsers are just apps. You update them the same way you update Instagram or TikTok.

Android: Open Play Store > Tap Profile Icon > Manage apps & device > Updates available. iOS: Open App Store > Tap Profile Icon > Scroll down to Available Updates.

Lets be honest: manual updates on mobile are a pain. I highly recommend turning on Automatic Updates in your store settings. Life is too short to manually update 47 apps every Tuesday.

Browser Update Ecosystems Compared

Google Chrome / Edge ⭐

Independent of OS version

Low - only requires a restart to apply

High (Every 4 weeks roughly)

Silent background updates; manual trigger via 'About' page

Safari (Apple)

Strictly tied to OS version

High - often requires full system restart

Moderate (Varies with OS patches)

Tied to macOS/iOS System Updates

Firefox

Independent of OS version

Low - quick restart

High (Every 4-6 weeks)

Manual check or background service

The "Broken" Internet Connection That Wasn't

Sarah, a freelance graphic designer in Austin, was ready to throw her router out the window. For three days, her banking website and design portfolio kept timing out or loading with broken images. She spent hours on hold with her ISP, convinced her internet was throttling her.

She tried everything: restarting the modem, flushing DNS, even changing cables. Nothing worked. The frustration was real—she had a deadline in 24 hours.

The breakthrough came when a friend asked, "Does it work in Incognito mode?" It did. That clue led her to check her extensions and, finally, her browser version. She was running a version of Chrome that was six months old.

One click on "Relaunch" and 30 seconds later, everything loaded instantly. The issue wasn't the internet; it was an outdated SSL certificate protocol in her old browser version. She saved her deadline but lost three hours of her life to a button she had ignored.