Towards the end of 2017, we learned that Google was planning to replace Chrome Apps with Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). The company planned on completely removing Chrome Apps support on Windows, Mac, and Linux by Q1 2018. However, Google didn’t follow through with the plan and chose to wait until more Desktop PWAs became available to install on the platforms. The timeline was pushed back several months from the initial plan, with no clear information regarding when Chrome Apps would be phased out. Now, the company has finally released a definite timeline for the process.
As per a recent post on the Chromium Blog, Google will begin phasing out support for Chrome Apps across all operating systems in the following manner:
- 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.
Google claims that this change will not impact support for Chrome Extensions. The company plans to continue support and invest in Chrome Extensions on all existing platforms. For more details regarding timelines, recommendations, and FAQs related to end of support for Chrome Apps, you can visit the Chrome Apps migration site by following the link below. The page will be kept up to date as Google proceeds with the process.
Source: Chromium Blog
