Google releases Chrome build that runs natively on Apple Silicon

Google has released a new build of its Chrome browser with support for Apple's new proprietary M1 chip.

The Apple Silicon M1 chip is based on a different architecture than Intel chips. Although M1 Mac owners would be able to run Intel-based Chrome using Rosetta 2, Google has provided a version that runs natively on Apple Silicon.

When users navigate to the Google Chrome download page now, they'll be prompted to choose between two versions of the browser: one for a "Mac with Intel chip," and one for a "Mac with Apple chip."

The company is also providing a simple set of instructions on how users can check what type of processor they have.

Apple Silicon support is also rolling out with other new features in the Chrome 87 update, including a reduction in CPU usage, a 1.25-hour increase in battery life, and a 25% faster opening time.

Although it was possible to run the Intel version of Chrome on an M1-equipped Mac, some users ran into problems with it. As such, it's recommended that M1 Mac owners opt for the appropriate Chrome build.

We're live now. Head on over to https://t.co/H3bYthKx3z and grab the latest M1 build!
— Mark Chang (@mchang) November 18, 2020

5 Comments

mobird 758 comments · 20 Years

About 4 years ago

;) I have never heard or seen anyone inquire whether Google Chrome "is snappier"?...

22july2013 3725 comments · 11 Years

mobird said:

;) I have never heard or seen anyone inquire whether Google Chrome "is snappier"?...

Since Chrome comes from Google, it is indeed "snappier", because it takes many snapshots of you while you browse the web and sends the pictures back to Google HQ for monetization. Facebook's upcoming browser is even snappier: they take videos with audio. /s

focher 686 comments · 16 Years

Would be better if they just published a Universal Binary instead of making a user have to know which architecture they are using.

focher said:

Would be better if they just published a Universal Binary instead of making a user have to know which architecture they are using.

Good point, but maybe Universal Binaries can be created only in Xcode. I don't use other compilers (and I barely use Xcode.)

CarmB 91 comments · 4 Years

22july2013 said:

focher said:

Would be better if they just published a Universal Binary instead of making a user have to know which architecture they are using.

Good point, but maybe Universal Binaries can be created only in Xcode. I don't use other compilers (and I barely use Xcode.)

It’s highly unlikely that anyone at this stage would need to check to see which version of machine they are running. The M1s are just arriving in consumers’ hands as we speak and absolutely everything else is Intel. It’s highly unlikely that anyone buying an M1 Mac in the next while would need to find out if they’re using an M1 Mac or an Intel Mac. Meanwhile everyone else can safely assume they have an Intel chip in their Mac because for years that’s what they have put in Macs exclusively. So if you have a Mac that’s older than a week and not truly vintage, it’s an Intel-powered unit.

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