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I have recently recovered my old tablet (Motorola Xoom Wifi). I am now on Android 4.1.2. The only important thing I am missing after recovery is Google Chrome.

I can see the application on the Google Play Store as Chrome Browser - Google, however the store indicates me "Your device isn't compatible with this version". I remember having some Google Chrome on the Xoom before recovery and I remember seeing the same message when I was offered to update Chrome recently (last few months). Is there some archive I could download older Chrome versions from?

What are my other options? Would rooting the tablet and installing Android 4.4.2 allow me to install the recent Chrome?

Is there some way to check what exactly does the new Chrome require my tablet does not have?

The only browser I have available now is the "Browser", and while it works, I would definitely prefer using Chrome.

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  • I have Chrome 54.0.2 840.68, which is a prior version to what is available on the play store

  • Min API level is 21 and targetted is 25, which corresponds to Android 5.0 and 7.1.1 as can be seen here

  • API level was read using manifest viewer

  • Incompatibility warning is being shown as your Android version is not supported. Options you have and associated risks are explained in the accepted answer here Chrome Browser is not supported on this device (Samsung GT-P7500). That leaves you with choices of:

    1. Upgrading your Android version

    2. Accepting security risk of using earlier version downloaded from a secure site as commented

    3. Using a different browser

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  • What is a bit confusing to me is even the quite recent 55 version is listed as "Min: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean, API 16)" . Is the manifest viewer info more reliable? – Suma Jan 19 '17 at 14:25
  • I see your point and I really don't have an answer. On one hand the site is reputed and on the other the app is only showing what's there – beeshyams Jan 19 '17 at 14:30
  • App shows min and targetted sdk levels . SDK kernels are same as API - Despite its name, this element is used to specify the API Level, not the version number of the SDK (software development kit) or Android platform as explained here – beeshyams Jan 19 '17 at 14:34
  • When I have tried to install that particular 55 version, it does not work correctly for me. It installs, starts, but crashes (disappears silently) once I start typing URL. Version 42 works fine. I did not try any versions in between yet. – Suma Jan 19 '17 at 14:35
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    For the record: version 49 seems to work fine so far. – Suma Jan 19 '17 at 14:55
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Google play store shows many apps as incompatible although they might work just fine. If you are okay with downloading third party applications, you can download the .apk file for Google chrome from http://www.androidapksfree.com/apk/chrome-browser-apk-latest-version-download/

Inform me if you are unable to install the application after downloading it.

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  • I have already tried the Beta / Dev Chrome, as those are shown to me by the Play Store. None of them works for me. – Suma Jan 19 '17 at 14:02
  • It means that the latest version of chrome browser can't run on your device – Yash Swaraj Jan 19 '17 at 14:04
  • What you can do is install an older version from a third party – Yash Swaraj Jan 19 '17 at 14:04
  • But it is quite risky to use an outdated browser as you can be infected by malware. – Yash Swaraj Jan 19 '17 at 14:05

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