Brave is now rolling out version 1.91.171 update across its release channels, and if you haven’t updated your browser yet, I highly recommend you do so immediately. The primary driver for this sudden update? A severe Chromium vulnerability that has been found to be exploited in the wild.
This rapid deployment comes hot on the heels of the massive v1.91.169 update. As we covered just a few days ago, that version introduced custom search engines and the base Chromium v149 framework to Android users. Around the exact same time, we also saw Brave’s highly anticipated Origin update officially land on desktop and Android, with a promise that iOS users will get their hands on the new platform soon.
But shifting to a completely new platform paradigm like Origin inevitably brings a few teething problems, which version 1.91.171 aims to resolve.
The update bumps the underlying engine to Chromium 149.0.7827.103. Given that this directly addresses an actively exploited zero-day flaw, it isn’t an update you should put off. Beyond security, the development team has addressed a specific transition bug where Cardano wasn’t being disabled correctly upon upgrading to Brave Origin.
For those of you specifically tracking the new Origin platform tweaks, the developers have also done some much-needed housekeeping. They’ve completely removed the “Survey Panelist” setting from the browser’s privacy menu (brave://settings/privacy) to streamline the user experience. Additionally, Linux users will be happy to know that a bizarre bug causing P3A and usage pings to display inappropriately on the first launch has been officially patched out.
If you are running Brave on your desktop, whether on Windows, macOS, or Linux, you’ve likely already received this update automatically in the background. If you want to force the security check to be absolutely certain, jump into your browser’s menu and click ‘About Brave’ to trigger the download immediately. Android users, however, will have to hold tight for just a little bit longer. The Android update is currently pending its standard Google Play Store review and should be rolling out to devices shortly.
As Brave continues to refine the Origin experience, I fully expect we’ll see more of these rapid-fire refinement updates. The company’s mobile strategy is also evolving rapidly; in fact, Brave is currently mulling over the idea of spinning off a standalone Origin app for Android users rather than sticking to the current integrated approach. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be using the privacy-centric browser, and we’ll be here to keep you updated on every twist and turn.
Hillary Keverenge
2654 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.