Google updates timeline for when it'll end Chrome apps’ support

Google has updated its timeline for when it will stop supporting Chrome apps on all platforms. The official end will be June 2022, but some platforms might lose it earlier than that.

Back in 2016, Google announced it would stop support for Chrome apps on Windows, macOS, and Linux, because of the lack of users. Only one percent of its users actively used Chrome apps at that time. So, in 2017, it took out the web apps from the Chrome 2017. In 2018, the tech giant was supposed to take it out from those three platforms, but it didn't happen.

This new timeline, though, seems to be a bit more definitive:

March 2020: Chrome Web Store will stop accepting new Chrome Apps. Developers will be able to update existing Chrome Apps through June 2022.

June 2020: End support for Chrome Apps on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Customers who have Chrome Enterprise and Chrome Education Upgrade will have access to a policy to extend support through December 2020.

December 2020: End support for Chrome Apps on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

June 2021: End support for NaCl, PNaCl, and PPAPI APIs.

June 2021: End support for Chrome Apps on Chrome OS. Customers who have Chrome Enterprise and Chrome Education Upgrade will have access to a policy to extend support through June 2022.

June 2022: End support for Chrome Apps on Chrome OS for all customers.

As The Verge summarizes it, sometime in June 2020, Chrome apps will stop working on Windows, macOS, and Linux, unless you have Chrome Enterprise or Chrome Education Upgrade. Those customers can use Chrome apps for another six months.

Now, if you're a Chrome OS user, Chrome apps will work until June 2021. Those with Chrome Enterprise or Chrome Education Upgrade, get an additional year.

If you aren't familiar with Chrome apps, then you aren't alone. In simpler terms, these are web-based apps users install in Chrome but look and function like apps you can launch from your desktop.