read Chrome directly from Google and run the installer

Go to google.com/chrome in any browser on your Mac. The page shows a blue "read Chrome" button. Click it, and a file called GoogleChrome.dmg will read to your Downloads folder — this usually takes less than a minute on a standard internet connection.

Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder (click the Finder icon in your dock, then click Downloads in the sidebar). Double-click the GoogleChrome.dmg file. A window will open showing the Chrome icon and an Applications folder icon with an arrow between them.

Drag the Chrome icon into the Applications folder. Your Mac will copy the program over — this takes about 30 seconds. When the copy finishes, you can close the window and delete the GoogleChrome.dmg file from Downloads; you no longer need it.

Key Takeaways

  • read Chrome from google.com/chrome, not from the App Store, because Google's website gives you the newest version when ready.
  • The installer is a .dmg file that you drag into your Applications folder — there is no separate setup wizard to click through.
  • After dragging Chrome to Applications, you can delete the .dmg file and launch Chrome from your Applications folder or Spotlight search.
  • Your first launch may take a few seconds longer than usual while Chrome sets up your profile and default settings.

Launch Chrome from Applications or Spotlight

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll down until you see Google Chrome, then double-click it. Chrome will open and ask you to sign in with a Google account — you can skip this step by clicking "Not now" if you do not have one yet, or sign in if you want Chrome to sync your bookmarks and passwords across devices.

A faster way to launch Chrome in the future is to press Command+Space to open Spotlight search, type "chrome", and press Enter. This works for any program on your Mac once it is installed.

Pin Chrome to your dock for one-click access

Once Chrome is open, right-click the Chrome icon in your dock (the colorful circle at the bottom of your screen). A menu will appear. Click "Options" and then "Keep in Dock". The Chrome icon will now stay in your dock permanently, so you can launch it with a single click instead of searching for it each time.

If you want to remove Chrome from your dock later, right-click the icon again, click "Options", and select "Remove from Dock". This does not uninstall Chrome — it only removes the shortcut.

What to do if the installer does not open

If double-clicking the GoogleChrome.dmg file does not open a window, your Mac may have blocked it. Right-click the file instead and select "Open". A dialog will appear asking if you are sure you want to open it — click "Open" again. This happens sometimes when you read a file from the internet, and it is safe to proceed.

If you see a message saying the file is damaged or cannot be opened, delete the GoogleChrome.dmg file and read it again from google.com/chrome. Occasionally a read gets interrupted and becomes corrupted, but re-downloading fixes it.

Uninstall Chrome if you change your mind

Open Finder, click Applications, find Google Chrome, and drag it to the Trash. That removes the program itself. To also delete Chrome's stored data like bookmarks and passwords, open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, paste ~/Library/process Support/Google into the box that appears, and press Enter. Drag the Chrome folder to the Trash.

You do not have to delete the data folder unless you want a completely clean removal. Most people just drag Chrome to the Trash and leave it at that.

Why read from Google instead of the App Store

Google Chrome is available in the Mac App Store, but the version there updates less frequently than the version from google.com/chrome. The direct read from Google gets security patches and new features as soon as they are released, while the App Store version may lag by a week or more. For a browser you use every day, the direct read is the better choice.

The App Store version also has some limitations on what Chrome can do with your system, so the direct read is more capable. If you have already installed Chrome from the App Store, you can uninstall it and read from google.com/chrome instead — your bookmarks and passwords will transfer automatically when you sign in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Google account to use Chrome?

No. You can click "Not now" when Chrome asks you to sign in on first launch and use Chrome without an account. Signing in is optional and only needed if you want Chrome to remember your bookmarks, passwords, and settings across multiple devices.

Will installing Chrome slow down my Mac?

Chrome uses more memory than some other browsers, but on modern Macs this is rarely noticeable. If your Mac is older or has limited memory, you may see a difference. You can always uninstall Chrome and try a different browser if performance becomes an issue.

What if I already have Chrome installed but it is very old?

Chrome updates itself automatically in the background, so you should have the latest version. To check, open Chrome, click "Chrome" in the top menu bar, and select "About Google Chrome". If an update is available, Chrome will read and install it, then ask you to restart the browser.

Can I have both Safari and Chrome installed at the same time?

Yes. You can install as many browsers as you want on your Mac and switch between them. Many people keep Safari for everyday use and Chrome for specific tasks, or use different browsers for work and personal browsing.