Google to Release "Android for PC" in 2028, Will Support Chrome OS Until 2034

Google's plans to replace Chrome OS with a new universal operating system called Aluminium OS, known as "Android for PC," are much more long-term than previously thought. According to internal documents made public as part of the U.S. antitrust case, the full release of the system will only happen in 2028, while the complete phase-out of Chrome OS support will drag on all the way until 2034.

There were earlier rumors that the first version of Aluminium OS could appear as soon as 2026. However, the documents reveal a different timeline. According to Google's roadmap, in late 2026 the new OS will only be available to a limited group of "commercial trusted testers." The mass rollout, primarily for the education and enterprise sectors where Chromebooks are especially popular, is only scheduled for 2028.

Google explains that the reason for such a lengthy transition is a compatibility issue, as the new system will not be able to run on the entire existing fleet of Chromebooks. The company is committed to providing automatic updates for Chrome OS devices for 10 years from their release date. To fulfill this obligation, Google will be forced to support the old OS until at least 2033. The complete abandonment of it, according to the plan, will happen in 2034.

The transition to Aluminium OS will be gradual and will mostly affect new devices. As noted in the documents, "many of the new devices will get the ability to migrate." Interestingly, these details came to light as part of Google's argumentation against a potential forced business breakup. The company argued that the Chrome browser is inextricably linked to the Chrome OS operating system and that separating it would make user support extremely difficult.

The era of Chrome OS is coming to an end, but at an extremely slow pace. Users waiting for the imminent arrival of a unified Google system on their laptops will have to be patient. The technical transition promises to be complex and multi-stage, stretching out over almost a full decade.