Mac users love Google Chrome for its speed and extensions. At the same time, the browser is a known RAM and CPU hogger, but its performance improves with each update. Not sure how to install the latest version? Keep on reading, and we’ll show you how to update Chrome on Mac manually and automatically. We’ll also explain what to do if it won’t update and how to keep it up to date on iPhone and iPad.

Why update Chrome?

It’s important to keep every application on your Mac updated, but this is especially the case with web browsers. Chrome updates improve performance, add features, and make it more secure. New threats appear online constantly, and browsers need to be updated regularly to combat them.

How to update Chrome

There are a few ways to update Chrome. We’ll cover them all.

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. To the right of the address bar, click the three vertical dots.
  3. Choose Help > About Google Chrome.
  4. If there is an update available, you’ll see an Update button. Click it and wait for Chrome to update.
  5. When it’s finished, click Relaunch.
Why is my Chrome update incomplete?

Most likely, Chrome was interrupted during the update. Check your internet connection first. If it is stable, reboot your computer and update Chrome again to see if it resolves the issue. Sometimes, it may be due to missing key files. To fix this, you will need to uninstall and reinstall Chrome.

How to set Chrome to update automatically

If you set Chrome to update automatically, you can forget about manual updates. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Click the three dots to the right of the address bar.
  2. Choose Help > About Google Chrome.
  3. Click Automatically Update Chrome for all users.

Note: This option is no longer available in the newest Chrome versions, so you might not see it. However, although it has been removed, Chrome automatically checks for updates in the background and notifies you if an update should be installed. 

How to update any app on your Mac with one click

As we said earlier, it’s very important that you keep all the applications on your Mac updated, even the ones you don’t use often. Out-of-date apps can leave your Mac vulnerable to malware. However, checking for and installing updates manually can take a lot of time if you have lots of apps. For example, for every non-App Store app on your Mac, you need to open it, check for updates, and then choose to update. Or you may even have to visit the developer’s website and download an update.

Thankfully, there is a much easier way to keep the applications on your Mac updated — CleanMyMac’s Applications feature. It scans your Mac to check what applications are installed and whether there are updates for all of them. When it’s done, which is very quickly, it presents you with the apps that need to be updated, and you can update them all with a click or choose which ones you want to update. You can test CleanMyMac for free for 7 days — get your free trial here. Then, follow these steps:

  1. Open CleanMyMac.
  2. Click Applications > Scan > Manage My Applications.
  3. In the Updater tab, select any app you want to update (including Chrome if you haven’t yet) and click Update.

The Applications feature not only lets you install the latest app updates; it also allows you to remove apps and files left over from an incomplete app deletion. 

What to do if Chrome won’t update

If the update fails when you attempt to install it, disable extensions and then try again:

  1. Click the three dots to the right of the address bar.
  2. Choose Extensions > Manage Extensions.
  3. Click the switch next to each extension so that it turns off.
  4. When you’ve disabled them all, relaunch Chrome and try again.

If disabling extensions doesn’t work, the next step is to remove them completely:

  1. Click the three dots and choose Manage Extensions.
  2. This time, click Remove next to each extension.
  3. When you’ve removed them all, restart Chrome and try the update again.

If Chrome still won’t update after you’ve removed extensions, the next step is to uninstall Chrome and try again. 

The easiest way to uninstall it is to use the Applications feature in CleanMyMac or another dedicated uninstaller tool. That will ensure you remove all the files Chrome has placed on your Mac. You can then download and install the latest version from the official website.

How to update Chrome on an iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Tap your profile pic at the top of the screen.
  3. Scroll down to the Updates section.
  4. If you see Chrome there, tap Update. If you don’t see Chrome, there is no update available.

Google updates Chrome frequently, so it’s a good idea to set it to update automatically so that you know you will always be running the most recent version. However, all those updates can sometimes get in the way of working. So, if you’d rather do it manually, follow the steps above to update Chrome on your Mac and take advantage of the latest features, improvements, and security fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Why isn’t Chrome updating automatically?

If Chrome is not updating automatically, firewall or your antivirus software may be preventing it. So, try disabling both and installing an update manually. To disable firewall, go to System Settings > Network > Firewall. As for antivirus, quitting it should be enough. 

When are Chrome updates released?

Minor updates or bug patches are released every few weeks, and a full update every six weeks or so. Chrome versions are numbered, and here’s what the number means: MAJOR.MINOR.BUILD.PATCH. MAJOR stands for a significant release (usually 7-8 times a year). MINOR is mainly 0 and rarely includes changes. BUILD represents a specific snapshot of Chrome's source code at a given time. PATCH means small fixes and security patches present in each build. 

Where can I find Chrome release dates by platform/operating system and system requirements?

All this information is available on the official website here. Chrome supports macOS versions newer than Big Sur (Monterey or later). If you need more information about system requirements, you can also find it on the official website here. 

What do I do if my administrator blocked Chrome updates?

If your device is owned by an organization, and the administrator has blocked updates, the only way to fix it is to contact them to unblock the update or ask them to install it remotely.

How do I clear Chrome cookies and cache to fix update issues?

In most cases, cache and cookies should not interrupt the update. If you want to double-check and clear them, go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data. Select the needed items and click Delete from this device. 

Do tabs and incognito windows reopen after the update? 

Chrome saves open tabs and will reopen them after the update is installed. However, it will not reopen incognito windows. 

How to postpone Chrome update? 

When Chrome notifies you that an update is available and asks you to relaunch to install it, click Not Now. The update will apply next time you restart it.