By this point Google Chrome is old news since it's been out for months. At least for Windows users it has anyway. For Google, releasing Chrome in a Mac compatible version hasn't been much of a priority.
- Can I Use Google Chrome On A Mac Computer
- Can I Use Google Chrome On A Mac Computer
- How To Use Google Chrome
- How To Get Chrome On Mac
Though Safari is the default browser for most mac OS users, some have to use Chrome.
With a few glaring exceptions, these days most companies have moved away from treating Mac users like inconvenient step children. (Can you hear me Intuit? Your Quickbooks & Quicken support for Mac is horrid!)
And since Mac users make up a disproportionate number of the technology early adapters I'm surprised that Google Chrome's Mac version is so far behind Chrome for Windows.
Even now when you go to the Google Chrome for Mac web page they say it is still in development. But if you'll give Google your email address they'll shout at you when it's released. I did that. Months ago.
It's all very simple, but you'll need to use a different web browser (like Safari) to download Chrome for Mac first: Open Safari (or other web browser) then navigate to google.com/chrome Hit Download Chrome for Mac A new window will appear asking you to agree to the Terms of Use. Mac users were attracted to Google due to its search and mail services — roughly one third of all Macs use Chrome as their default browser as of 2019. With only a few options competing for the same market, the name of the game has become cross-platform. Google has confirmed a recent update to Chrome was to patch a zero-day issue in the popular browser, an exploit that was actively used in attacks, and has recommended all Chrome users on Mac.
This past week I finally got tired enough of waiting to check it out for myself that I went to the Chrome for Mac developer download page and got a copy for myself to take it for a spin.
Here's the thing: It's a fantastic browser.
Strengths of Google Chrome
Speed. The first thing I noticed is how incredibly fast Google Chrome is. I mean it's crazy fast. With everything. When you launch it, it barely bounces in the dock twice before it opens. Most web pages load way faster than with Firefox or Safari. And it shuts down quickly too!
Can I Use Google Chrome On A Mac Computer
When you're on the web all day long like I am, saving a couple seconds on every single page load adds up to a big increase in productivity by the end of the day.
Accurate rendering. I ran Chrome through the Acid3 Test & it passes. Unlike Firefox. That means you see what you're supposed to on the web with Chrome.
Easy to Set Up. When I first installed Chrome on my Mac it gave me a choice to import my bookmarks and settings from either Firefox or Safari (or neither). It brought all my bookmarks and saved passwords over seamlessly. They're are a bunch of Themes you can choose from to customize the look of your browser. I chose one that looks like brushed metal. Seemed chrome-like to me.
Weaknesses
Still in 'development.' Since Chrome for Mac is still in development you shouldn't be surprised if you find some bugs now and then. I've only seen a couple problems since I started using it. For example one time a text box on a form wouldn't let me enter anything. But I am writing this post using Chrome.
No bookmark management yet. I have way too many bookmarks in my browsers so I organized them into folders. With Chrome for Mac all bookmark folders are at the bottom of the rest of the bookmarks under 'other bookmarks.' So to get to a bookmark in a folder I have to scroll down the bottom of my list, go across to a fly out list of folders, then up to the appropriate folder, and finally across to the bookmark I want.
I'm looking forward to the manage bookmarks feature being turned on so I can rearrange them for an easier workflow.
No 1Password Integration. Yet. This is a big one for me, and the primary reason why Chrome won't be my default browser on my Macs anytime soon. 1Password is a fantastic tool for managing website login credentials for your Mac. It syncs your logins across browsers and even syncs between my desktop & my laptop.
1Password was one of the first programs I bought when I made the switch to Macs, and with the number of websites I got to every day between social media sites & client sites it is a huge productivity saver for me. Until Chrome for Mac actually comes out of development I don't expect the good folks at 1Password will invest too much time integrating with it.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day Google Chrome for Mac is an excellent browser. It's even tempting to make it my default browser. Google seems bent on raising the bar for web browsers and the winners will be all of us consumers who will have better tools to access the web.
But for now I'll stick to Firefox, even though it is slower. With all the extensions I'm using on Firefox (especially 1Password) it is still a more versatile tool over all for my work needs.
Safari might be the default browser on macOS, but this doesn't stop Mac users from using the Google Chrome browser. A lot of users prefer using Google Chrome over other browsers because of its wide range of features, compatibility, and an extensive collection of plugins. Google Chrome works well with most major platforms and it is easy to install the browser.
However, some Mac users have experienced issues with using Google Chrome on their Macs. According to reports, Google Chrome won't open on macOS Catalina. After installing the browser on Catalina, the Chrome browser won't launch for some reason. Double-clicking the icon does not open the browser, nor does it elicit any reaction. There is also no error message to indicate something is wrong with the app. It just does nothing.
Can I Use Google Chrome On A Mac Computer
This can be frustrating because you have no idea what went wrong or what to do about it. Users always have the option to use another web browser on Mac, such as Firefox or Safari, but those who rely on Chrome-only features and extensions might find it difficult to switch to another browser.
So, what do you do when Chrome won't open on Mac? This guide will show you what steps to take when the Chrome browser you installed is completely unresponsive and won't start no matter what you do. We'll also list some alternatives to Google Chrome in case you don't want the hassle of troubleshooting the issue.
Why is Google Chrome Not Opening on Mac?
It can be baffling when the app you just installed won't open, despite following the correct installation instructions. Well, it happens. And you're not alone.
If Chrome refuses to launch, it might be because the downloaded installer was incomplete or corrupted. If the download process was interrupted, probably due to poor internet connection or other factors, the installation would be incomplete. It is also possible that the app doesn't have sufficient permission to be able to run. You should also check the Chrome app's settings to see if it has been configured correctly.
Another factor you need to consider is the presence of malware. Malicious software can cause various problems on your Mac, including apps failing to launch.
How to Fix When Chrome Won't Open
If you can't get your Chrome web browser to open, you need to make sure first that you followed the right procedure in installing the app. If you're not sure, you can always delete the app and reinstall it again. To delete the app, just go to Finder > Go > Applications, then look for the Google Chrome icon. Drag the icon to the Trash to uninstall it.
After uninstalling, follow the steps below carefully to install a new copy of the Chrome browser:
- Go to the Google Chrome website by clicking this link.
- The website will automatically detect the platform you are using and offer you the link to the Chrome version compatible with your OS.
- Click the Download Chrome for Mac button.
- Wait for the download to be completed. The file should be around 83MB in size and the filename should be googlechrome.dmg.
- Click the downloaded installer to launch it.
- Drag the Chrome icon to the Applications folder.
Once the Chrome app has been installed, click on the icon to try and open it. If there are no issues with the installation, the browser should open just fine.
If you still can't open the app, try some of these basic troubleshooting steps:
- Restart your Mac and try booting into Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, try launching the app to see if it works. If it does, there must be a third-party process getting in the way of the Chrome app.
- Clean up your computer using a Mac cleaning software to ensure that no rogue file is causing the problem.
- You should also check if the problem affects Google Chrome alone or if there are other apps experiencing the same issue.
If the above steps didn't help, you can try the following fixes:
Solution #1: Change the Permission Settings.
- Open Finder or click anywhere on the Desktop.
- Hold down the Shift + Command combination on the keyboard, then press G.
- A new window will pop up. Copy and paste the following path in the box: ~/Library/Application Support
- Click Go.
- Next, look for a folder named Google.
- Right-click on the folder, then choose Get Info.
- In the Get Info window, click on the lock icon on the bottom right of the window.
- Type in your login password, then press Enter.
- Click the Add (+) button at the bottom left.
- Choose Administrators from the dropdown menu, then click Select.
- You should now be able to see admin under the Name column.
- Under Privilege, change Read-only to Read & Write.
Close the window and try launching Google Chrome again. You should now have enough permissions to use the app.
Solution #2: Delete the Chrome App's System Files.
How To Use Google Chrome
If changing the permissions and reinstalling the Chrome app does not help, you should remove the system files first after uninstalling the app. To delete the system files, you can follow the steps below:
Close the window and try launching Google Chrome again. You should now have enough permissions to use the app.
Solution #2: Delete the Chrome App's System Files.
How To Use Google Chrome
If changing the permissions and reinstalling the Chrome app does not help, you should remove the system files first after uninstalling the app. To delete the system files, you can follow the steps below:
- Open a Finder window on your Mac.
- Click Go from the top menu, then select Go to Folder from the dropdown.
- Type this in the search field: ~/Library/Application Support.
- In the new window that opens, look for the Google folder.
- Open the Google folder and drag all its contents to the Trash.
- Go back to Finder > Go > Go to Folder.
- Type in this folder path: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome.
- Select everything inside that folder and drag them all to the Trash to delete them.
How To Get Chrome On Mac
If you don't want to go through all these folders, you can use commands instead. Go to Finder > Go > Applications, then click on Terminal. Type in the following command to delete all Google Chrome files:
sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome
Once completed, Google Chrome should have been completely deleted from your Mac. You can now install a fresh copy using the steps outlined earlier.
Summary
Take note that this troubleshooting guide can also apply to other apps on your Mac that fail to open or load properly. Instead of looking for the Google, look for the folder associated with the app you're having trouble with. You can also edit the command on Solution #2 to reflect the correct folder. Doing the above steps should help you get the Chrome app working again on your Mac.
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