Icon of program: Google Chrome

Google Chrome for Mac

  • Free
  • In English
  • V136.0.7103.49
  • 3.9
  • (4536)
Dinkar Kamat
Dinkar KamatUpdated 3 days ago

Free web browser for Mac

First released for Windows in 2008, Google Chrome officially launched on the Mac computers in 2010 after several months of beta testing. It offers fast and secure web browsing via a search engine, giving you access to internet articles and pages. It also boasts an exceptional experience with an elegant user interface.

What is Google Chrome?

Chrome is a web browser that lets you access information on the internet. You can read the latest news, download files, or play web-based games. To look for specific articles or details online, you’ll need to make use of a search engine, such as Google, Yahoo, or Bing. 

You can enjoy various features to enhance the browser’s functionality. Chrome Extensions gives you more tools to optimize your experiences, such as VPN access, web clippers, input utilities, and more. You can even install a password manager if you’re not satisfied with Chrome’s default settings. 

The browser stores your internet search history if you’re logged into your account. With the bookmark function, it opens web pages faster if you’ve visited them in the past. All you need to do is start entering the relevant keywords from the site on the omnibar, and the link for the page should automatically appear.

Another feature you’ll enjoy is the shortcut menu that takes you to connected apps. If you’re using Google as your preferred search engine, you can open the tab for access to Youtube or a translator for transforming site text into English from a different language. You can also play around with Chrome resource constructions if you have the technical expertise.

Can you install Google Chrome on a Mac?

Many people use browsers like Safari, Firefox, Avast Secure Browser, or Camino on Mac devices. However, you can also download and install Chrome if that's your preferred option. To start the process, you first need to download the installation file.

Once completed, you’ll need to look for the file ‘googlechrome.dmg.’ A separate window will open, giving you the option to select Chrome. You shouldn’t open it just yet, as you’ll first need to drag the icon to the Applications folder.

Your Mac device may ask you for your password to ensure optimum security.  If you don’t have the password at hand, you can move it to the desktop and change the settings. When you’re ready, you can open Chrome, access Finder, and then click on Eject in the sidebar.

If this method fails, your best option is to contact the Help Center to find a solution.

Is it bad to use Chrome on Mac?

Many people that use Chrome on Mac devices have cited various issues. For one, the browser has been known to drain the battery life of laptops and notebooks. Even with a few updates from Google, it still appears to remain a problem for those hoping for long battery life.

Another issue is that the browser was developed within the ChromeOS, which isn’t optimized for macOS. What this means for you is that closing apps won’t happen instantly when you hit Cmd+Q. Instead, you’ll need to hold it in for a longer period for it to take effect. 

If you’re a Mac device owner who prefers operating systems older than macOS Yosemite, Chrome won’t work for you. Many reasons exist for not upgrading the system, especially if you don’t like any of the new features. However, Chrome only works on macOS Yosemite or higher.

Is Safari safer than Chrome?

When it comes to choosing between Safari and Chrome, most Mac users choose the former. The main reason is the latter’s Chrome Extensions tool. While it’s one of the browser’s most prized utilities, it’s also why battery life runs out so quickly. The installed extensions take up several resources, which may also cause issues. 

Chrome Extensions also has several security concerns. Some of them have different privacy settings than Safari, which may introduce malware or other threats to your device. While Safari has its own set of extensions, they won’t eat at the memory or conflict with security features as much as Chrome. 

Speaking about privacy settings brings another concern to the table. Most of Google’s revenue is in the form of adverts, making you a product instead of a consumer with information that the company can sell. Apple focuses more on you as a treasured client, marketing hardware, and software beneficial to you. 

How do you optimize Chrome on Mac?

Despite the above concerns, there are ways that you can optimize Chrome on Mac for a better experience. One of the best ways is to update any outdated components. To complete this task, you need to insert ‘chrome://components’ in the omnibar and click on each element to update them.

The second method of speeding up Chrome may be slightly frustrating, as it’ll force you to log into your accounts again. You can type in ‘chrome://settings’, head to the Privacy and Security section, and clear your cookies, cache, and data. As another solution, there’s the CleanMyMac app to clear all installed browser information for you.

Fast and secure web browsing

Chrome is often referred to as the fastest and most secure web browser. While you’ll eventually come across lagging and other potential issues, it remains true. If you’re using Google as a search engine with an account, there are several benefits to installing Chrome on mac and accessing all the apps you love so much.

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  • Pros

    • Fast browsing
    • Several extensions
    • Bookmarking
    • Password manager
  • Cons

    • Drains battery life
    • Resource hungry
    • Chrome Extensions may cause lagging
 0/5

App specs

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


Icon of program: Google Chrome

Google Chrome for Mac

  • Free
  • In English
  • V136.0.7103.49
  • 3.9
  • (4536)

User reviews about Google Chrome

by FarmerBob

It was great until Apple released a Security Update that plugged all the holes in Chromium and that also took out Skype or anything Chromium based.When it first happened I found an article that showed you how to remove 3 Apple files from the User Library and everything was back to normal with no damage to the OS. Didn't think I ever need it again, so I didn't take care in saving the link. Then I did an "OS Refresh" and those files got replaced. And I am right back to I was with the original "Grey Screen of Death".Chrome Needs to Step Up!!!

by Steve Frey

I want to use this media to thanks Wizard Charles Group for the amazing job they are doing, i really don't know what to say here and i don't know if you will ever find out my post here so you could confirm how grateful i'm over the job i contacted you of which i nearly lost all my bitcoin to a bad black hat hacker who just came from nowhere to messed up my life all because i needed his help to help me access my spouse device so i can see the lady he is talking to online but instead he choose to work against me not only ripping me but went ahead to black mail me just to get another more money from my spouse but he failed and that couldn't have happened if not for Wizard Charles Group Hackers intervention, i owe my life cause i'm still breathing today is all because of his intervention, he tracked down the hacker who worked against me and also help me to recover all my lost funds and still do the same job i needed of which is to gain access to my spouse phone and see who he is talking to and what they are both talking about cause he always denied me access to his phone. Indeed I'm grateful to Wizard Charles Groups. you can as well hire him today byEmail: info@wizardcharlesgrouphackers.com

by James Alamia

I really do a lot online, but most of my work still takes place on the good old fashioned whiteboard. In addition to this, I need to allow my company to branch out by learning how to build an email list on facebook and things like that. Otherwise, this version of Chrome served me well with little to no problems.

by Vincent Salvatore

I really liked it.

by Rob Keshock

I like that it follows me no matter what device I am using. I like that I can add extensions easily, too.

by chris jensen

Because google has not forgot the face of his father! Antwo has kept my account safe from harm, day to day, fifty-two weeks of the year... Year after year, twenty-four seven days of the week...

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Your review for Google Chrome
Softonic

In Softonic we scan all the files hosted on our platform to assess and avoid any potential harm for your device. Our team performs checks each time a new file is uploaded and periodically reviews files to confirm or update their status. This comprehensive process allows us to set a status for any downloadable file as follows:

Clean

It’s extremely likely that this software program is clean.

What does this mean?

We have scanned the file and URLs associated with this software program in more than 50 of the world's leading antivirus services; no possible threat has been detected.

Warning

This software program is potentially malicious or may contain unwanted bundled software.

Why is the software program still available?

Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are possibly false positives.

What is a false positive?

It means a benign program is wrongfully flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus program.

We’d like to highlight that from time to time, we may miss a potentially malicious software program. To continue promising you a malware-free catalog of programs and apps, our team has integrated a Report Software feature in every catalog page that loops your feedback back to us.

Flag any particular issues you may encounter and Softonic will address those concerns as soon as possible.