Current version of Chrome not compatible with RAZR i, Intel-friendly update coming soon

Upon loading up our pre-release Motorola RAZR i with our favorite Google apps, we were surprised to find one that simply refused to install -- Google's popular Chrome browser. Google Play allowed the Intel-powered phone to download Chrome, but promptly displayed a "package file is invalid" error upon installation.

Suspecting an incompatibility with the RAZR i's Intel Atom CPU, we contacted Motorola. The manufacturer confirmed our hypothesis -- the current version of Chrome is indeed incompatible with Intel-based Android phones, though there's good news for anyone considering picking up a RAZR i when it's released in early October. Motorola expects an updated, Intel-friendly version of Chrome for Android to be available around launch time. Here's Moto's statement in full --

There is not a version available that is optimised for Intel. We expect it at in-store launch or shortly thereafter.

In the meantime, we're managing just fine with the RAZR i's nippy native browser.

Alex Dobie
Executive Editor

Alex was with Android Central for over a decade, producing written and video content for the site, and served as global Executive Editor from 2016 to 2022.