read Chrome directly from Google, then drag it to your Applications folder
Google Chrome is not built into macOS the way Safari is. You read it from Google's website, run the installer, and it appears in your Applications folder like any other program. The whole process takes about five minutes and requires no special settings or permissions beyond what macOS asks you during installation.
You do not need to be an administrator to install Chrome, though macOS will ask for your password during the final step. Once installed, Chrome works on any user account on that Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Visit google.com/chrome on any browser, click the read button, and open the installer file that appears in your Downloads folder.
- Drag the Chrome icon into the Applications folder when the installer window opens — this completes the installation.
- macOS may ask you to confirm that you want to open Chrome the first time you launch it, which is a security check and is normal.
- You can delete the installer file from your Downloads folder after Chrome is installed; it is not needed again.
- Chrome updates itself automatically in the background, so you do not need to reinstall it manually.
Step-by-step installation on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
Open any web browser — Safari, Firefox, or another browser already on your Mac — and go to google.com/chrome. Click the blue "read Chrome" button in the center of the page. Google detects your Mac automatically and offers the correct version for your processor (Intel or Apple Silicon).
A file named "googlechrome.dmg" downloads to your Downloads folder. Double-click it to open the installer window. You will see the Chrome icon on the left and an Applications folder icon on the right with an arrow between them.
Drag the Chrome icon onto the Applications folder icon. macOS copies Chrome into your Applications folder. When the copy finishes, you can close the installer window and eject the disk image by clicking the eject icon next to "Google Chrome" in the Finder sidebar.
Open Applications (Command-Shift-A from Finder, or click Applications in the Finder sidebar), find Google Chrome, and double-click it to launch. macOS may show a dialog asking "Are you sure you want to open this process downloaded from the internet?" Click Open. This is a standard security check and happens only the first time you launch Chrome.
What to do if Chrome does not appear in Applications
If you cannot find Chrome in your Applications folder after dragging it, the drag-and-drop did not complete. Go back to your Downloads folder, double-click the googlechrome.dmg file again, and repeat the drag step. Make sure you drag the Chrome icon all the way onto the Applications folder icon until it highlights before releasing.
If Chrome still does not appear, check that you have enough free space on your Mac. Chrome requires about 300 MB. Open Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage to see how much space is available. If you are running low, delete large files or programs you no longer use, then try the installation again.
Removing the installer file and freeing up space
After Chrome is installed and working, you can delete the googlechrome.dmg file from your Downloads folder. It is only needed during installation. Right-click the file and select Move to Trash, or drag it to the Trash icon in your Dock.
You can also empty your Downloads folder periodically to free up space. Chrome itself takes up about 300 MB on your Mac once installed, but the installer file is separate and can be safely removed.
How Chrome updates itself automatically
Chrome checks for updates every time you launch it and downloads new versions in the background. You do not need to reinstall Chrome or visit the Google website again. When an update is ready, Chrome shows a notification, and the update installs the next time you close and reopen the browser.
If you want to check for updates manually, open Chrome, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, and select "About Google Chrome." Chrome shows your current version and checks for updates when ready. If an update is available, it downloads and installs while you continue using the browser.
Switching your default browser to Chrome
After installing Chrome, you can make it your default browser so links open in Chrome instead of Safari. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), click General in the sidebar, scroll to "Default web browser," and click the dropdown menu. Select Google Chrome from the list.
This step is optional. You can use Chrome without making it your default browser. If you want to open a link in a specific browser, you can always right-click the link and choose which browser to use.
Uninstalling Chrome if you change your mind
If you decide you do not want Chrome on your Mac, open Applications, right-click Google Chrome, and select Move to Trash. That removes the program. Some users also use an app like AppCleaner to remove Chrome's settings and cache files, but this is optional — straightforward moving Chrome to Trash is enough to uninstall it.
If Chrome was your default browser, macOS automatically switches back to Safari as your default when you uninstall Chrome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an administrator to install Chrome?
No. macOS asks for your password during installation as a security check, but you do not need administrator privileges. Any user account can install Chrome. Once installed, all user accounts on that Mac can use it.
What is the difference between the Intel and Apple Silicon versions of Chrome?
Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 and newer) run a different processor architecture than older Intel Macs. Google detects which Mac you have and downloads the correct version automatically. You do not need to choose between them.
Can I install Chrome on multiple user accounts on the same Mac?
Yes. Install Chrome once in the Applications folder, and every user account on that Mac can launch and use it. Each account keeps its own bookmarks, passwords, and settings if you sign into Chrome with different Google accounts.
Why does macOS ask if I want to open Chrome the first time?
macOS shows this dialog for any program downloaded from the internet as a security measure. It is normal and expected. Click Open to proceed. You will not see this dialog again when you launch Chrome in the future.
Can I use Chrome and Safari at the same time?
Yes. Both browsers can run simultaneously on your Mac. You can have Chrome open in one window and Safari in another, or switch between them as needed. Installing Chrome does not remove or disable Safari.