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Fix: Chrome and Android System WebView is not Getting Updated

We may face issues while updating the Chrome app and Android System WebView. These system apps cannot be uninstalled, so the update is our only option.

To fix this problem, you can reboot your device, check your internet connection, stop auto-updating all apps, clear the Play Store cache, and manually download and update the Android WebView app.

Method 1: Reboot Phone Device

Sometimes, a simple reboot fixes the problem, as rebooting the device restarts all of its system processes. This way, if some process is causing the error, it will be fixed automatically.

Method 2: Check Internet Connection Stability

It’s good to have a high data speed when updating apps in the Play Store. If you have a stable internet connection and are still facing the issue, close all other apps and let only the Chrome browser get the update.

After that, you can update the Android System WebView without issues.

Method 3: Stop Auto-Updating All Apps

If you have enabled the automatic update option, the internet bandwidth is consumed in the background. To stop this, you need to stop all the apps from updating together; instead, update them manually. Here are the steps to do:

  1. Open your Google PlayStore on your Android phone.
  2. Click on the Profile icon in the top right corner.
    Google PlayStore My Apps and GamesIt will bring out a menu.
  3. Tap on the Manage Apps and Devices option on the menu.
    It will show you all the apps that are updating.
  4. Hit the Stop button to stop updating.
  5. Now update Chrome and Android System WebView app to fix the download issue.
    Stop Auto-updating the Android Apps

These were essential solutions, and they often fixed the issue; if they didn’t, try the methods mentioned below.

Method 4: Clear Google Play Store Cache and Storage

There is a high probability that Play Store data may get corrupted, causing issues with app updates.

Since we downloaded and updated the Google Chrome and Android System WebView from the Google Play Store, it’s a good idea to clear the cache and storage of the Play Store. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Open your Settings app on your Android Phone.
  2. Tap on the Apps and Notifications tab.
  3. Select the See All Apps link to open the installed apps list.
    Apps and notification - see all apps
  4. Search and open the Google Play Store app.
    Google Play Search in the Android Apps Settings page
  5. Within the Google Play Store app info page, select the Storage & Cache option.
    Google Play Store App Info Page with Storage menu
  6. Hit on Clear Storage command and Clear cache.
    Google Play Store Clear Cache and Clear Storage button

Relaunch the Google Play Store app and try updating the Chrome and Android System WebView app. Launching the Play Store app might take a while since we have cleared the storage data.

If that doesn’t work, clear the cache and storage of the Google Play services.

Google Play Services Clear Cacha and Storage command button

Method 5: Uninstall Android System WebView

There is a high chance that the Android System WebView is the main problem, and because of it, Chrome is not updating. To solve this, uninstall the Android System WebView app first. However, it is a system app, so you cannot uninstall it entirely; you can revert to the factory version.

Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Search for the Android System WebView app in the search bar.
    Search Android System WebView result
  3. Proceed and tap on the Uninstall option.
    It will uninstall the Android System Webview updates.

Now, retry updating the Google Chrome browser to check whether the problem has been fixed. If not, repeat the same process with the Chrome app.

Method 6: Clear cache and Force stop the WebView app

If the WebView app is running in the background, then it is possible that it won’t update. You can force-stop the app. After that, if the app has a lot of cache memory, it might prevent an update. Hence, you need to clear the cache and storage. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Open your Settings app on your Android Phone.
  2. Then, scroll down, look for the Apps and Notifications tab, and tap on it.
    Android Apps and Notifications Settings
  3. In the next window, you will see an option named see all apps; tap on it to open a list of all installed apps.
  4. Tap More vertical 3-dots icon in the upper right corner to open a menu.
  5. Select the ‘Show system’ option to see all the available apps.
    Show System Apps installed on Android
  6. Tap to open the Android System Webview app from the list of apps.
  7. Tap on that to Force stop the app.

Now try updating the app; if the issue persists, you must clear the cache and data. Here are steps to clear the cache and data:

  1. Repeat the above steps till #6,
  2. Click on the Storage option on the app information window.
    It will open a new window with a clear cache and data option.
  3. Tap on those options to Clear Storage and Clear Cache command.
    Clear Cache and Clear Storage from Android System WebView
  4. Lastly, try to Update the Android webview app from the Google Play Store.

If this doesn’t work, repeat the same process with the Chrome and Google Play store apps.

Method 7: Leave the Beta Testing Program

The Google Play Store has a feature called Beta Testing. It gives its users early access to any new update before it goes public. This service is for testing the new updates, and there is a high chance that the beta updates have bugs.

You might use a beta app if you are also a part of beta testing or opted for it by mistake. You can fix it by leaving the beta testing program:

  1. Open the Google PlayStore app.
  2. Search for the Android system Webview app.
  3. Scroll down until you see the option shown in the image below.
    Leave BETA program from Google PayStore
  4. Tap the option to Leave the beta program.

After leaving the beta testing program, uninstall the updates, as in method #5, and try updating the WebView and Chrome app.

Method 7: Download the Updates Manually

This solution will work if you have tried all the methods and have yet to find one that works. You can download and install the latest Android System Webview and Chrome updates from third-party APK sites and install them manually.

  1. Search for Android System Webview on APKmirror.com (direct download link below)
  2. Scroll down until you see a list of all versions.
  3. Click on the Download icon on the right side.
  4. Scroll down until you see all the downloadable app variants.
    Different versions of Android WebView on APK SiteChoose any variant according to your device.
  5. Click on the Variant number to proceed.
    You can use a Google search to find a compatible variant with your device.
  6. Click the Download button to download the APK.
    Download Android WebView from External APK site

If you see a download Waring them, allow it by clicking OK as it is not a threat to your device. Lastly, install the APK file by tapping it, and your work is done.

Download WebView

Similarly, you can download the Chrome app from a third-party site.

Bottom Line

Updating the system apps is tricky; hence, you must follow the steps carefully in sequence. If none of the methods work, only use trusted APK sites to download the APK file.

Most of the users have reported that clearing the Google Play Store and Play Services storage and cache has helped in resolving the problem.

Once you can update the Google Chrome app, it will also update the Android System WebView.

Please share the article if you find it helpful:

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Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza is a Google Certified Analytics & IT Professional, Digital Content Creator, and Go-To Digital Marketer. He has over a decade of experience solving tech problems, troubleshooting, and innovating digital solutions. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

74 comments and feedback

  1. Update- After scrolling around nearly everywhere on the internet, I’ve found some new suggestions that didn’t work for me but that one could try, and one that actually did work.
    Things you could try-
    -Installing the beta. In the reviews for the Android System Webview app, one person says that installing the beta helped them be able to update the stable app.
    -Switch between wifi and data. If you are using one, try the other.
    -If you are on Samsung, try updating via the galaxy store instead.
    -Uninstall updates for the play store. The process for doing so is the same as explained above.

    And finally, what work for me was a hybrid of a couple different approaches. First, Uninstalling updates for the play store, waiting a few minutes for the play store to re-update itself in the background, then using specifically the ‘update all ‘ option that an earlier commenter found success with. For me, this specific combination worked. Note: when I first selected ‘update all,’ chrome and Android System Webview had not even appeared on the list of apps needing updating. However, after clicking ‘update all’ they magically appeared and updated.
    Hope that helps anyone who still needs it

  2. I’m in the same boat as Linda- none of these solutions worked, not even the new ideas that commenters came up with. If anyone gets any other ideas, let us know!

  3. Rebooted, Cleared Cache and Data, then went to update. Worked fine for me. Perfect fix and solved my issue. Thanks for the great hints.

  4. I was just on a chat message thing with Google and they told me the reason mine won’t update is because I’m trying to do it manually. Their solution was to change my settings to update automatically.

  5. For me, the only thing that worked was waiting till another app needed an update too, then I was able to press ‘update all’ which pushed through the update of webview and chrome too. Clearing cache wasn’t doing a thing on my device.

  6. I’ve tried this but when I go to play store there is no update or install button on the web viewer so how do I do it

  7. My phone is a Google Pixel 2. For several days the Chrome and Webview app updates refused to install but suddenly they just did. One thing I have found is that some updates will only install if battery saver is turned off. So if anyone has problems installing the Chrome, Webview or any other update just check if battery saver is on, trying turning it off and click update again. It might just work.

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