The first version of Android that supported the 64-bit architecture was Android 5.0 Lollipop, introduced in November 2014. Since then, more and more 64-bit processors have been shipped, and today, virtually all Android devices are capable of running 64-bit software (excluding one or two or more rare balls). However, Google Chrome has never made the jump and is only available in a 32-bit version, which can lead to some unnecessary security and performance downgrades. That is finally changing: Starting with Chrome 85, phones running Android 10 and higher will automatically receive a 64-bit version.
A look at Chrome: // version confirms it: the current stable and beta versions, versions 83 and 84, note that they are still 32-bit applications. Chrome Dev and Chrome Canary (version 85 and 86) are suitable 64-bit applications.
Above: Chrome 83 and 84 in 32 bits. Down: Chrome 85 and 86 in 64 bits.
Based on our tests, the 64-bit version is only distributed to devices with Android 10 or higher. Considering that in April, only about 8% of people were using that version of the operating system, the impact is much less than it could have been, but at least it’s a start. Hopefully Google will expand backward compatibility with Android later, which it should do if it wants to abide by its own Play Store rules. According to them, all apps need to be upgraded to 64-bit variants on supported devices by August 1, 2021. Chrome 85 is slated to stay stable in August 2020, so the company has plenty of time to go. 64 bits to all.
Meanwhile, iOS already stopped supporting 32-bit apps in 2017, although with Apple having complete control over the distribution of software and hardware, the move is much easier to accomplish. Still, proprietary software like Chrome as a 32-bit app on Android is a bad joke, and it’s a good thing it’s getting better soon.
You can get Chrome Dev and Chrome Canary from the Play Store or more in APK Mirror (Chrome Dev, Chrome Canary).
