After nearly four years of development, Google Chrome desktop browsers (version 142 and newer) now support native HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) playback. This significant update, also rolling out to browsers like Microsoft Edge, eliminates the need for third-party extensions to play .m3u8 streams directly in the browser.

• Desktop Chrome and Edge (v142+) now natively play HLS streams, matching mobile browser capabilities.
• The feature, visible internally since mid-2025 via the ENABLE_HLS_DEMUXER flag in Chromium Gerrit, means .m3u8 links play directly instead of downloading.
• This update benefits developers, creators, and newsrooms by providing adaptive streaming, lower data usage, and enhanced reliability for video content.