How to Download and Install Google Chrome on Your Mac

Getting Chrome onto your Mac takes about five minutes

Open your web browser — Safari, Firefox, or whatever you use now — and go to google.com/chrome. You'll see a blue button that says "Download Chrome". Click it. A file called "googlechrome.dmg" will start downloading to your Downloads folder. Once it finishes, double-click that file to open it. You'll see a window with 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. That's it — Chrome is now installed on your Mac.

After the installation finishes, you can find Chrome in your Applications folder or by searching for it with Spotlight (press Command + Space, type "Chrome", then press Enter). The first time you open it, your Mac may ask if you want to allow Chrome to run. Click "Open". Chrome will then ask if you want to sign in with your Google account — you can do this now or skip it and sign in later.

Key Takeaways

Download Chrome directly from google.com/chrome using any browser you already have.
The downloaded file (googlechrome.dmg) opens a window where you drag the Chrome icon into your Applications folder.
After installation, open Chrome from Applications or by searching with Spotlight (Command + Space).
Your Mac may ask permission to run Chrome the first time you open it — this is normal and you should click "Open".
Signing into a Google account is optional but lets Chrome sync your bookmarks and settings across devices.

What happens during the download

When you click "Download Chrome" on google.com/chrome, your Mac downloads a disk image file — that's what the .dmg extension means. This file is about 150 to 200 MB depending on your Mac's processor (Apple Silicon Macs get a slightly different version than Intel Macs, but the download page detects which one you need automatically). The download usually takes one to three minutes on a typical home internet connection.

Once the download finishes, your Mac may automatically open the disk image, or you may need to double-click the googlechrome.dmg file in your Downloads folder. Either way, you'll see a window with two icons: Chrome on the left and the Applications folder on the right. This window is not installing Chrome yet — it's just showing you what to do next.

Installing Chrome into Applications

Drag the Chrome icon from the left side of the disk image window onto the Applications folder icon on the right. Your Mac will copy Chrome into the Applications folder, which is where all your programs live. This usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. You don't need administrator permission for this step — any user account on your Mac can install Chrome.

Once the copy finishes, you can close the disk image window. The googlechrome.dmg file in your Downloads folder is no longer needed and you can delete it to free up space, though leaving it there does no harm.

Opening Chrome for the first time

Go to your Applications folder (you can find it by opening Finder, clicking "Applications" in the sidebar, or by pressing Command + Shift + A). Look for Google Chrome and double-click it. Your Mac may show a dialog asking "Are you sure you want to open this application downloaded from the internet?" This is a security check — it's normal. Click "Open" to proceed.

Chrome will then launch and may ask if you want to set it as your default browser. You can choose "Set as Default" now or click "Not Now" and change this later in Chrome's settings. If you have a Google account, Chrome will also offer to sign you in so it can sync your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across your devices. This is optional — you can skip it and use Chrome without signing in.

Signing into your Google account (optional)

If you choose to sign in, click "Sign in to Chrome" and enter your Google account email and password. Chrome will then sync your bookmarks, saved passwords, and open tabs across any other devices where you're signed into Chrome. This is useful if you use Chrome on multiple computers or a phone, but it's not required to use Chrome on your Mac.

You can also sign in later by clicking the profile icon in the top right corner of Chrome and selecting "Sign in". If you don't have a Google account and don't want to create one, you can use Chrome without signing in — you'll just lose the ability to sync data across devices.

Checking that Chrome installed correctly

After Chrome opens, check that it's working by visiting a website you know — Google.com, BBC.com, or any site you use regularly. The page should load normally. If you see error messages or the page won't load, restart your Mac and try again. If Chrome still won't open or crashes when you try to visit a website, your Mac may need a system update. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), click "General", then "Software Update" to check.

You can also verify the installation by opening Finder, clicking Applications, and confirming that Google Chrome appears in the list. If it's there and opens when you double-click it, the installation was successful.

Uninstalling Chrome if you change your mind

If you decide you don't want Chrome on your Mac, removing it is simple. Open Finder, go to Applications, right-click Google Chrome, and select "Move to Bin". That's all — Chrome is uninstalled. If you want to remove Chrome's stored data (bookmarks, passwords, browsing history), you'll need to do that separately before uninstalling.

To clear your Chrome data, open Chrome, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and select "Clear browsing data". You can choose what time period to clear and what types of data to remove. After you've cleared the data you want gone, you can then move Chrome to the Bin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my Mac after installing Chrome?

No. Chrome is ready to use immediately after you drag it into Applications and open it. You don't need to restart your Mac.

Can I install Chrome if I'm not the main user on my Mac?

Yes. Any user account on a Mac can install Chrome into the Applications folder. You don't need administrator permission.

What if the download keeps failing?

Check your internet connection and try again. If it fails multiple times, try downloading from a different browser (Safari or Firefox). If you're using a work or school network, it may block the download — try using a different network if possible.

Is Chrome safe to download from google.com/chrome?

Yes. google.com/chrome is Google's official download page. Avoid downloading Chrome from other websites, as they may host outdated or modified versions.

Can I have both Safari and Chrome on my Mac at the same time?

Yes. You can have as many browsers as you want on your Mac. They don't interfere with each other, though only one can be set as your default browser.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.