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How to Update Chrome on a Mac

Stay on top of security and feature improvements

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 18, 2022 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple Macs iPad

What to Know

Chrome installs updates automatically when the browser restarts.Check manually from the menu: Help > About Google Chrome.Green, orange, and red alerts are pending updates; click to apply. This article explains how to apply a Google Chrome update on a Mac. It should work the same for all versions of Mac running a modern edition of the browser.

How to Update Chrome Manually on a Mac

Not sure if there’s an update ready? Check the “About Chrome” area of the settings for details. Select the three-dot menu at the top right of the browser. Go to Help > About Google Chrome. If an update is required, you can watch it download now, after which you’ll be prompted to restart the browser. Otherwise, you’ll see the message Google Chrome is up to date.

How to Apply Pending Chrome Updates on a Mac

Another situation where Chrome can be updated is if it’s been a while since the update was released and you've been putting off applying it. When this happens, the menu button at the top right will change to a different color to indicate the urgency: Green: An update has been ready for 2 days.Orange: An update has been ready for 4 days.Red: An update has been ready for at least a week. Selecting the colored button shows a prompt to apply the update. Click to restart Chrome and install it.

Chrome Can Also Update Automatically

Typically, the browser updates automatically in the background. If you regularly close and reopen Chrome, they’ll be applied largely without you noticing. It's the best way to keep the software fresh with updates. The only reasons to follow the other directions above are if you know Chrome recently pushed out an update, but you don't see the green alert, or you haven't installed an update in a while.

Can' t Update Chrome

Sometimes, the update utility doesn't work, and you can't get new updates from Google. The best thing to do in this situation is to delete the browser and install a fresh copy from Google's website. Uninstall Chrome. To ensure nothing gets removed during the uninstallation process, consider signing in to your Google account and syncing your bookmarks, passwords, etc., so when you reinstall it, those items will for sure still be available. Download Chrome. Follow the installation steps to install it.

Are Chrome Updates Necessary

Updates are the only way we get improvements from software makers. It's how we get a snappier and more stable program, and how new and exciting features become available. But even if you're not interested in new functions, updates are the only way to patch security holes and other vulnerabilities, which is essential when dealing with a browser since it's your direct communication with the internet. If you've had experience with a Chrome update crashing your computer or causing more harm than good, wait a day or two to apply the update. Feel free to wait for the green menu button; by then, hopefully, you'd have heard of significant issues with the update and can hold off for a fix from Google. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Update Chrome Chrome Not Playing Video? How to Fix How to Fix It When Google Chrome Is Not Responding How to Fix Roblox Not Updating on a Mac How to Check What Version of Chrome You Have How to Update an iPad How to Use Google Home App on Your Mac How to Use Firefox for Mac What Is the Google Chrome Browser? How to Block a Website How to Turn off Incognito Mode How to Update a Chromebook How to Activate Full-Screen Mode in Google Chrome How to Allow Pop-Ups on Your PC How to Update Java Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies