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Helium includes an update system designed to keep your browser secure and up-to-date while respecting your privacy. This guide explains how updates work, how to configure them, and the differences between update channels.

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Update System Overview

Helium’s update mechanism includes:
  • Browser updates: Core Helium binary and framework updates
  • Component updates: CRLSet (certificate revocation), Widevine CDM (DRM)
  • Extension updates: Updates for installed extensions (if enabled)
Privacy-First Updates: Unlike Chrome, Helium’s update checks are optional and can be fully disabled. All update communication goes through Helium services, which you control.

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Platform Support

macOS

Full automatic update support
  • Browser updates via Sparkle framework
  • Component updates via Helium services
  • Background update checks
  • In-browser update notifications

Windows / Linux

Component updates only
  • Component updates (CRLSet, Widevine)
  • No automatic browser updates yet
  • Use external package managers
  • Planned for future releases
Windows and Linux: Automatic core browser updates are not yet available. Use your system’s package manager (apt, dnf, Chocolatey, etc.) or check the Helium website manually for updates.

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Update Channels

Helium offers two update channels with different stability and update frequency:
Recommended for most users
  • Thoroughly tested releases
  • Security updates and bug fixes
  • New features after testing period
  • Updated every 2-4 weeks typically
  • Most stable and reliable
Best for: Daily driving, production work, users who prioritize stability

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Switching Update Channels

You can change your update channel in two ways:

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Configuring Updates

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Helium Services Update Settings

Update configuration is managed through Helium Services:
1

Open Privacy Settings

Navigate to Settings → Privacy and security → Helium services
2

Enable Helium Services

Ensure “Enable Helium services” is toggled on
3

Configure Update Options

Toggle “Allow automatic browser and component updates”:
  • Enabled (Recommended): Browser and components update automatically
  • Disabled: No automatic updates (you must update manually)
When enabled, Helium will:
  • Check for browser updates periodically (macOS only)
  • Download and install updates in the background
  • Notify you when updates are ready to install
  • Update security components (CRLSet, Widevine)
When disabled, Helium will:
  • Skip all update checks
  • Not contact update servers
  • Not update any components automatically
  • Show “Component updates are disabled” on chrome://components
Recommendation: Keep this enabled for security. CRLSet updates protect you from compromised certificates.

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About Page

Check update status and manually trigger updates:
  1. Navigate to Settings → About or chrome://settings/help
  2. The page displays:
    • Current Helium version
    • Update check status
    • Update channel (if set)
  3. Click “Check for updates” to manually check (macOS only)
The About page is simplified in Helium with Google support links removed. Update status reflects your Helium Services configuration.

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Component Updates

Component updates keep security-critical features current:

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Included Components

Helium updates two essential components:
Purpose: Identifies revoked SSL/TLS certificatesWhy it matters: Protects you from visiting sites with compromised security certificatesUpdate frequency: Several times per week or as neededRecommendation: Always keep enabledID: hfnkpimlhhgieaddgfemjhofmfblmnib
Purpose: Enables DRM-protected content playback (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)Why it matters: Required for streaming services with DRMUpdate frequency: Monthly or as neededRecommendation: Keep enabled if you use streaming servicesID: oimompecagnajdejgnnjijobebaeigek
Privacy Note: Helium only updates these two components. Other Chromium components that report usage statistics or enable tracking have been removed.

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Checking Component Status

View component update status:
  1. Navigate to chrome://components
  2. Find CRLSet and Widevine in the list
  3. Check their version and status
  4. Click “Check for update” to manually update a component
If Helium Services updates are disabled, components will show: “Component updates are disabled. See Helium services in settings.”

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Update Process

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Automatic Updates (macOS)

1

Background Check

Helium periodically checks for updates in the background according to your update channel
2

Download

If an update is available, Helium downloads it in the background
3

Notification

You’ll see a notification in the app menu or toolbar when an update is ready
4

Installation

Restart Helium to install the update. Your tabs and settings are preserved.

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Manual Updates (Windows/Linux)

# Update package list
sudo apt update

# Upgrade Helium
sudo apt upgrade helium

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Update Security

Helium’s update system is designed with security in mind:

Signed Updates

All updates are cryptographically signed and verified before installation

HTTPS Only

Update checks and downloads occur only over HTTPS

No Telemetry

Update checks don’t send usage data or tracking information

User Control

You can disable updates entirely if you prefer manual control

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Troubleshooting Updates

Check the following:
  1. Helium Services enabled: Go to Settings → Privacy → Helium services and ensure services and updates are enabled
  2. Internet connection: Verify you have internet access
  3. Update channel: Confirm you’re on the expected channel in chrome://flags
  4. Platform limitations: Windows/Linux don’t support automatic browser updates yet
macOS specific: Check Console.app for Sparkle-related errors
If components show update errors:
  1. Go to chrome://components
  2. Click “Check for update” next to the failed component
  3. If it fails again, check:
    • Helium Services are enabled
    • Your internet connection is stable
    • No firewall blocking update requests
  4. Restart the browser and try again
If an update download appears stuck:
  1. Check your internet connection
  2. Restart Helium
  3. Navigate to Settings → About to re-trigger the update check
  4. If using macOS, check Activity Monitor for helium_update process
  5. As a last resort, download and install manually from the website
To completely disable updates:
  1. Go to Settings → Privacy and security → Helium services
  2. Disable “Enable Helium services” or just disable the updates toggle
  3. This will prevent both browser and component updates
Disabling updates means you won’t receive security patches. Only do this if you have a specific reason and plan to update manually.

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Version Information

Understanding Helium version numbers: 
Helium X.Y.Z (Chromium A.B.C.D)
  • X: Major Helium version (breaking changes, major features)
  • Y: Minor Helium version (new features, significant updates)
  • Z: Patch version (bug fixes, minor improvements)
  • A.B.C.D: Underlying Chromium version
Helium versions are independent of Chromium versions. Helium may update its version number for significant changes even when using the same Chromium base.

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Best Practices

1

Keep Updates Enabled

Enable automatic updates for security patches and bug fixes, especially CRLSet updates which protect against compromised certificates
2

Choose the Right Channel

  • Stable for daily use and maximum stability
  • Beta for testing and early feature access
3

Check Periodically

Even with automatic updates enabled, occasionally check Settings → About to ensure you’re on the latest version
4

Backup Important Data

Before major updates, consider exporting bookmarks and important data (though updates preserve this automatically)
5

Test Beta Carefully

If using Beta channel, be prepared for occasional issues and have a Stable installation as backup for critical work

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Release Notes and Changelogs

Stay informed about updates:
  • GitHub Releases: Check the Helium GitHub repository for detailed release notes
  • Website: Visit the official Helium website for announcements
  • In-browser: Settings → About shows when new updates are available
Watch or star the Helium GitHub repository to get notifications about new releases.

Settings Guide

Configure Helium Services and update preferences

Chrome Flags

Set update channel via the flags interface

Downloads

Initial installation instructions for all platforms

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

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