To install Google Chrome on a MacBook Air, download the Mac installer from Google’s official Chrome page, open googlechrome.dmg, and drag Chrome into Applications. Open the installed Chrome application to start browsing. Current Chrome requires macOS 13 Ventura or later and works on compatible Intel and Apple silicon MacBook Air computers.
The short version
- Download: Get the Mac installer from Google’s official Chrome page using Safari or another installed browser.
- Install: Open googlechrome.dmg and drag Chrome into Applications.
- Password alternative: If you cannot enter an administrator password, copy Chrome to a location where your account has full permissions, such as your desktop.
- Optional setup: Make Chrome your default browser and drag its installed application to the Dock for easier access.
| Task or option | Where to go | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Download Chrome | Google’s official Chrome page | Get the standard Mac installer |
| Install the disk image | googlechrome.dmg and Applications | Complete a standard installation |
| Install without an administrator password | A location where your account has full permissions | You cannot authorize copying into Applications |
| Use the enterprise package | Chrome Enterprise download page | Get an administrator-oriented installer |
| Install offline | An already-downloaded enterprise installer | The destination Mac is offline |
| Use an organization’s deployment | Your administrator’s device management tool | Install on a managed work or school Mac |
| Install with Homebrew | Terminal and a working Homebrew installation | Use a command to install Chrome |
| Allow identified developers | System Settings > Privacy & Security | Your Mac permits only App Store apps |
| Set the default through Chrome | Default browser in Chrome settings | Make Chrome your default from the browser |
| Set the default through macOS | System Settings > Desktop & Dock | Choose Chrome in Mac settings |
| Add a Dock shortcut | The installed application and the Dock | Keep Chrome easy to open |
| Open with the keyboard | Spotlight | Launch an existing installation |
| Check for updates | About Google Chrome | Update an installed browser |
| Enable updates for all users | About Google Chrome | Manage updates on a shared Mac |
| Remove and reinstall Chrome | Finder and Google’s Chrome download page | Address certain browser or update problems |
| Remove local profile data | Chrome’s profile folder in Finder | Optionally delete local bookmarks and history |
| Get Chrome Beta | Google’s Chrome Beta page | Preview upcoming features |
| Get Chrome Dev | Google’s Chrome Dev page | Use a developer preview |
| Get Chrome Canary | Google’s Chrome Canary page | Use a potentially unstable nightly developer build |
Download Chrome from Google
Open Safari or another browser already installed on your MacBook Air, then visit Google’s official Chrome download page. Download the Mac installer. The disk-image file you will open is named googlechrome.dmg.
Before downloading, make sure your Mac meets the macOS 13 Ventura minimum. A MacBook Air running macOS 12 Monterey or earlier does not meet current Chrome’s operating system requirement.
Copy Chrome into Applications
Open googlechrome.dmg, then drag Chrome into Applications in the window that appears. Enter an administrator password if requested. Once the application has been copied, open the installed Google Chrome application.
If you cannot enter an administrator password to copy Chrome into Applications, drag Chrome to a location where your account has full permissions, such as your desktop. Open Chrome from that location instead. Organizational restrictions may still apply on a managed Mac.
After opening the installed application, return to Finder. In the sidebar, next to Chrome, select Eject to finish with the installation disk image.
Fix an installation blocked by macOS settings
If macOS won’t open Chrome because your Mac permits only App Store apps, open System Settings > Privacy & Security. Scroll to Security, then under Allow apps downloaded from, select App Store and identified developers.
This setting permits apps from identified developers; you still need to install Chrome. Return to the downloaded disk image, copy Chrome into Applications or another permitted location, and open the installed browser.
On a work or school Mac, your administrator can restrict this setting. If organizational restrictions prevent installation, ask your administrator to deploy Chrome through the organization’s device management tool.
Make Chrome your default and keep it easy to open
Making Chrome the default is optional after installation. In Chrome, select More > Settings, open Default browser, and select Make default. If the button is absent, Google says Chrome is already your default browser.
You can also choose the default through macOS. On macOS Ventura 13 or later, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Desktop & Dock, scroll to Default web browser, and choose Google Chrome.
To keep Chrome within reach, find the installed application and drag it to the Dock. Click that icon whenever you want to open Chrome.
With the default Spotlight shortcut enabled, you can also press Command + Space and type Google Chrome. Select the installed application result and press Return. This opens the Chrome installation already on your Mac.
Update an existing Chrome installation
If Chrome is already installed, open it and select More > Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome checks for updates there. When Relaunch is available, select it to finish applying the update.
Chrome also downloads automatic updates in the background and applies them when the browser closes and reopens. You can review how to manage automatic updates in Chrome for more about that behavior.
Use an enterprise installer or Homebrew
For an administrator-oriented alternative on a compatible Mac running macOS 13 or later, open the Chrome Enterprise download page. Find Download Chrome browser for Mac, then choose the desired Channel and File type. Google recommends PKG Universal Installer (x86 and ARM) for Intel and Apple silicon Macs. Select Accept and download, then open the downloaded package to begin installation.
If the destination MacBook Air is offline, obtain the Mac installer from the enterprise download page while connected to the internet. Make the downloaded installer available on the destination Mac and run it there. Google says installation does not require an internet connection, although downloading the installer initially does.
If your MacBook Air runs macOS 13 or later and already has a functioning Homebrew installation, open Terminal. Run the following Homebrew command to install Google Chrome.app into Applications:
brew install --cask google-chromeChoose a preview version if you need one
If you deliberately want to preview upcoming features, visit Google’s Chrome Beta page to obtain the preview channel. Choose this option when you want Beta instead of the standard stable release.
For the developer preview, open Google’s Chrome Dev page and select Download Chrome Dev to download the Mac build, then install the downloaded application.
For a nightly developer build, visit Google’s Chrome Canary page to obtain Canary. Google warns that Canary can be unstable, so choose it only if you intend to use that preview build.
Reinstall Chrome for browser or update problems
Google recommends uninstalling and reinstalling Chrome for certain browser and update problems. If an ordinary update has not resolved your problem, you can remove the application and install it again.
Right-click Chrome in the Dock and select Quit, then open Finder and locate Google Chrome, usually in Applications. If you need help locating it, select File > Find.
The next step removes the installed Chrome application by sending it to Trash. Drag Google Chrome to Trash to remove the app from your Mac. Download Chrome again from Google’s official page, open googlechrome.dmg, and repeat the installation steps.
Removing Chrome’s local profile data is optional and unnecessary for ordinary app removal. If you also want to remove that data, quit Chrome, then in Finder select Go > Go to Folder and enter this path:
~/Library/Application Support/Google/ChromeClick Go to open the folder. Deleting the folders inside removes local profile information, including bookmarks and browsing history. Select those folders and drag them to Trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chrome update automatically for everyone on a shared MacBook Air?
Yes, with Chrome installed in Applications, open About Google Chrome and click Automatically update Chrome for all users. The control’s availability can depend on the installation and management state.
Does deleting Chrome’s local profile data also delete data saved in a Google Account?
Data saved in a Google Account may remain on Google’s servers after you remove the local profile folders. Deleting those folders removes the profile information stored at that location on your Mac.
What macOS requirements should you check for preview versions?
Google’s Chrome Help says Chrome on Mac requires macOS 13 Ventura or later. Before choosing Beta, Dev or Canary, check the requirements of the Mac build offered on its download page.
How can an administrator deploy Chrome to a managed MacBook Air?
If you administer the Mac, download the Chrome Package Installer (.pkg) and sample profiles, then create configuration profiles containing your organization’s policies. Push Chrome and those profiles to the Mac through your mobile device management tool. The Mac must meet Chrome’s current macOS requirements.