Chrome for Mac Gains 64-Bit Support in Latest Chrome 39 Update - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Chrome for Mac Gains 64-Bit Support in Latest Chrome 39 Update

by

chrome.jpgBack in August, Google launched a beta build of 64-bit Chrome for Mac, following the public release of 64-bit Chrome for Windows. After several months of testing, Google today launched Chrome 39, its first stable-release 64-bit browser for OS X.

As Google said when it launched a beta version of 64-bit Chrome for Mac, 64-bit support will bring several speed and security improvements to the browser, in addition to decreasing the amount of memory that it uses.

Chrome 64-bit Chrome has become faster as a result of having access to a superior instruction set, more registers, and a more efficient function calling convention. Improved opportunities for ASLR enhance this version's security. Another major benefit of this change comes from the fact that most programs on a modern Mac are already 64-bit apps.

In cases where Chrome was the last remaining 32-bit app, there were launch-time and memory-footprint penalties as 32-bit copies of all of the system libraries needed to be loaded to support Chrome. Now that Chrome's a 64-bit app too, we expect you'll find that it launches more quickly and that overall system memory use decreases.

With the release of Chrome 39, the 32-bit version of Chrome will be retired, left on Chrome 38, which means that some users of older Macs will not be able to use the new Chrome 39.

Along with 64-bit support, the new Chrome update includes new apps and extension APIs, plus improvements to stability and performance. There are also 42 security fixes for various vulnerabilities, which resulted in $41,500 in bounties that Google paid out to the individuals that reported the issues.

Chrome 39 can be downloaded from Google's Chrome website or installed using the Chrome browser's built-in update functionality.

Top Rated Comments

gmanist1000 Avatar
151 months ago
Can't be worse than safari. About 25% of the time safari takes 10-20 seconds to open a page.

You may need to look into your ISP.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
Welcome to 2009, Chrome!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
I bought a iMac. I bought an iPad. I bought an iPhone. I don't see any reason to ruin that with Chrome. Now with handoff integration there really isn't any reason to allow Google and the NSA onto my Apple hardware.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
Can't be worse than safari. About 25% of the time safari takes 10-20 seconds to open a page.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnnnw Avatar
151 months ago
One of the reasons I stopped using Chrome altogether and went to Safari primarily. Too little, too late. 32bit was a memory pig.
Safari is bad though. Looks good, but still one of the slower browsers. And huge lack of extensions for people who like that. And Adblock is bad on Safari because of API restrictions (can't block a lot of pre-roll type ads).
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
151 months ago
Safari is great and all, but does no good when people use a mac AND Windows PC. If they had a valid Safari for windows that was continually updated, that would be a different story. At least with chrome, you can sync bookmarks/profiles over different devices AND platforms

This is my #1 reason for using Chrome. No matter which device I chose for browsing (OSX, Android, or Windows), my profile carries over. Plus I genuinely like Chrome.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

Apple Says macOS 27 Won't Be Compatible With These Macs

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:29 am PDT by
During WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. macOS 27 will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. Apple will unveil macOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote this Monday, June 8, and the...
MacBook Neo on Yellow Feature

MacBook Neo is So Popular That Apple Reportedly Doubled Production

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:24 am PDT by
On an earnings call in late April, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo was "off the charts," and the popularity of the laptop has reportedly led the company to significantly boost production. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week said he believes that MacBook Neo shipments to Apple were doubled from an initial target of 5 million units to 10...
iphone 18 pro blue%402x

iPhone 18 Pro: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Dark Gray Chassis Leaked [Update]

Thursday June 4, 2026 5:18 am PDT by
Update: Since publication, new information has come to light suggesting the images have been AI-manipulated and are not in fact iPhone 18 Pro chassis parts. The original article follows. The color options Apple is reportedly planning for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max have appeared online today in the form of images of chassis parts of unknown authenticity....