The fastest way to get Chrome on your Mac
Go to google.com/chrome in your web browser. Click the blue "Download Chrome" button. A file called "googlechrome.dmg" will download to your Downloads folder. Double-click it to open the installer, then drag the Chrome icon into the Applications folder. Open Applications, find Google Chrome, and double-click it to launch the browser for the first time.
The whole process takes about two minutes on a typical internet connection. You do not need to restart your Mac, and Chrome will start working immediately after you open it.
Key Takeaways
- Download Chrome directly from google.com/chrome, not from the App Store, to get the official version.
- The installer file (googlechrome.dmg) requires you to drag Chrome into your Applications folder before it works.
- After installation, open Chrome from Applications or Spotlight search to start using it right away.
- Chrome will ask to save your password and sync your bookmarks the first time you open it, but you can skip these steps if you prefer.
Step-by-step installation from the Google website
Open any web browser on your Mac and go to google.com/chrome. The page shows a large blue button labeled "Download Chrome." Click it once. Your Mac will download a file called "googlechrome.dmg" — this is the installer package.
Wait for the download to finish. Most Macs show a notification when the download completes, or you can check your Downloads folder by clicking the Finder icon in the dock and selecting Downloads from the sidebar. Find "googlechrome.dmg" in the list.
Double-click "googlechrome.dmg" to open it. A window will appear showing the Chrome icon on the left and an Applications folder icon on the right, with an arrow between them. Drag the Chrome icon directly onto the Applications folder. Your Mac will copy Chrome into the Applications folder where it belongs.
Close the installer window when the copy finishes. You can now delete "googlechrome.dmg" from your Downloads folder — it is no longer needed.
Opening Chrome for the first time
Click the Finder icon in your dock (the blue and white face icon). Select Applications from the sidebar on the left. Scroll down until you see Google Chrome in the list. Double-click it to open Chrome.
The first time Chrome opens, it may ask whether you want to set it as your default browser and whether you want to sign in with your Google account. You can choose yes or no to either question — neither is required to use Chrome. If you have a Google account and want Chrome to remember your passwords and bookmarks across devices, click "Sign in." If you prefer to keep Chrome separate from your Google account, click "Not now."
Chrome is now ready to use. You can close the welcome window and start browsing.
Installing Chrome from the Mac App Store instead
You can also find Chrome in the Mac App Store, though the Google website version is more common. Open the App Store app on your Mac (it is in Applications or in Spotlight search). Search for "Google Chrome" in the search box at the top. Click the "Get" button next to Google Chrome in the results.
Your Mac may ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. Enter your password if prompted. The App Store will download and install Chrome automatically. Once installation finishes, the "Get" button changes to "Open" — click it to launch Chrome for the first time.
The App Store version works identically to the website version. The only difference is that the App Store version checks for updates through the App Store app, while the website version checks for updates on its own. Both are official Google products.
Checking that Chrome installed correctly
After Chrome opens, check that it is working by visiting a website. Type a web address into the address bar at the top and press Enter. If the page loads, Chrome is installed and working.
You can also verify the installation by opening Spotlight search (press Command and Space at the same time), typing "Chrome," and seeing Google Chrome appear in the results. If it shows up, the installation was successful.
If Chrome does not open or shows an error message, try restarting your Mac and opening Chrome again. If the problem continues, delete Chrome from Applications and download it again from google.com/chrome.
Making Chrome easier to access
Once Chrome is installed, you can add it to your dock for faster access. Open Chrome, then right-click (or Control-click) the Chrome icon in the dock. A menu will appear — click "Options" and then "Keep in Dock." Chrome will now stay in your dock permanently, and you can open it with a single click instead of going through Applications.
You can also add Chrome to your login items so it opens automatically when you start your Mac. Open System Settings (the gear icon), click General in the sidebar, then click Login Items. Click the plus button, find Google Chrome in Applications, and click Add. Chrome will now launch whenever you turn on your Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to download Chrome?
No. Chrome is free to download and use. Google does not charge for the browser or any of its basic features. Some services within Chrome, like cloud storage beyond the free amount, may have costs, but the browser itself is always free.
What if my Mac is too old to run Chrome?
Chrome requires macOS 10.15 or newer. If your Mac is older, the download page will tell you that your system is not supported. You can check your macOS version by clicking the Apple menu, selecting About This Mac, and looking at the System Software section. If your Mac cannot run Chrome, Safari (which comes built-in) is a good alternative.
Can I use Chrome on multiple user accounts on the same Mac?
Yes. Once Chrome is installed in Applications, every user account on your Mac can open and use it. Each account can have its own Chrome settings and bookmarks if you sign in with different Google accounts, or you can share the same account across all users.
Why does Chrome ask about my Google account when I first open it?
Chrome is made by Google, and signing in with a Google account lets Chrome sync your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history across all your devices. This is optional — you can use Chrome without a Google account, and your browsing will stay private to that Mac.
How do I know if Chrome has updates available?
Chrome checks for updates automatically and installs them in the background. You do not need to do anything. If an update is waiting to be applied, Chrome will show a colored circle or dot next to the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of the browser window. Restart Chrome to finish installing the update.