When activated, this script tells your Mac to launch Google Chrome and simulate a user pressing the 'Command,' 'Shift' and 'F' keys simultaneously, which is the keyboard shortcut to place Chrome in full. How to add a Google Chrome icon to your Mac desktop. Connect alexa to my mac. Once you're sure you have Google Chrome installed, follow the steps below: 1. Go to your desktop and open 'Finder.' Close any other open.
- Open Google Chrome. It's in the Applications folder on macOS, and the Windows menu on Windows. Older versions of Chrome allowed you to go to the previous page by pressing the ← Backspace key on the keyboard. Though this feature is no longer available by default, you can install a free extension that will bring it back.
- If you want to download the browser, head to this link from your desktop, and click on the Download Chrome button. You'll see a dialog box pop up to choose a version suited for your Mac.
Google Docs is arguably the best online word processor since it is incredibly easy to use. Also, you can comfortably collaborate with others. That said, it's not a pretty picture with all browsers. For instance, if you use Google Docs using Safari on your Mac, you will run into a major problem—you can't use it offline. So you won't be able to access and work on your documents if you lose internet connectivity.
The support for offline mode function in Google Docs is limited to Google Chrome. In short, you'll have to install Chrome on your Mac if you want to use Google Docs in offline mode.
That said, you can also use Google Docs offline with Chromium-based web browsers (Edge, Opera, Vivaldi, etc.) as long as you are willing to use a workaround. But, that experience won't be as polished as you get on Chrome.
Let's set up Chrome and figure out how to work on Google Docs offline. We shall then look at what you must do to get offline Google Docs functionality in the officially unsupported Chromium web browsers.
Also on Guiding TechHow to Create a Custom Template in Google Docs
Read MoreInstall Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a prerequisite to use Google Docs offline. Although you may not want to have another web browser on your Mac, the convenience and peace of mind are worth the hassle.
Download Google ChromeThat said, Google Chrome is quite easy to install on the Mac. Download the Chrome installer file and open it. Then, drag and drop the Chrome app to the Applications folder.
Open Chrome, and you can choose to sign into it with your Google Account at the browser level if you want to set up Chrome sync.
Or, you can use the browser without signing into it. It would help if you disabled the Allow Chrome Sign-in feature (Settings > Sync and Google Services > Allow Chrome Sign-in). If you don't do that, Chrome will automatically log you in at the browser level once you sign in to Google Docs later.
Chrome will also prompt you to set it as the default browser. It's up to you to decide whether you want to do that. If you prefer your current browser for your main browsing activities, you can use Chrome just for working on Google Docs.
Add Google Docs Offline Extension
After installing Google Chrome, you must add the Google Docs Offline extension to the browser. As its name implies, the extension allows you to use Google Docs Offline. It is only available for Chrome, but you can also install it on alternative Chrome-based browsers as you will later on.
Download Google Docs Offline ExtensionHead into the Chrome Web Store, search for 'Google Docs Offline' (or click the Download button above). Then, click Add to Chrome to add the extension to Chrome.
Once you've done that, you are ready to start using Google Docs offline. But, you must first enable the functionality.
Enable Google Docs Offline
Load Google Docs in a new Chrome tab and sign in to Google Docs. If you are already signed into Chrome at the browser level, you do not have to sign in to Google Docs again.
On the Google Docs dashboard, select the 3-stacked lines to the top-left of the screen. Then, select the option labeled Settings. On the Settings pop-up that shows up, turn on the switch next to Offline.
Finally, click OK to enable offline functionality in Google Docs. The web app will then start to cache the most recent documents offline.
That means you can load the Google Docs web app in Chrome and start working on your documents. The Google Docs Offline extension will save your changes offline. Once you reconnect to the internet, your changes will automatically sync with Google Drive.
Google Docs also lets you keep working if connectivity drops in the midst of working on a document. Again, the web app will save your changes offline and upload them once you re-establish a connection. However, you can't create new Google Docs documents while you are offline.
Also on Guiding Tech#chrome
Click here to see our chrome articles pageSet Document As Offline
How To Get Google Chrome On Mac Air
Additionally, Google Docs allows you to set any document to be always available offline. To do that, click the three-dot icon next to a document within the Google Docs dashboard and turn on the switch next to Offline Access.
Alternatively, you can do that while working on a document — open the File menu and select Make Available Offline.
Alternative Chromium Browsers
If you prefer an alternative Chromium-based web browser over Chrome (such as Microsoft Edge, Opera GX, or Vivaldi), you can use Google Docs offline.
Start by installing the Google Docs Offline extension from above. Chromium-based browsers support Chrome Web Store extensions, so you should have no trouble installing it.
Follow by adding the User-Agent Switcher and Manager extension. That allows you to masquerade the browser as Chrome by modifying the user agent string.
Install User-Agent Switcher and ManagerOnce you've done that, select the User-Agent Switcher and Manager icon and set the user-agent string to Chrome—you can do that for a single tab or the browser in general.
Once you've done that, you can enable Offline functionality by diving into the Google Docs Settings pane. You can then keep working in Google Docs even after you lose internet connectivity.
But, the fact that you must always set the user agent string of the browser to Chrome, combined with the fact that the Google Docs Offline extension isn't officially supported, may put your work at risk. Hence, it's best to use Chrome itself to work in Google Docs offline, if possible.
Also on Guiding TechHow to Reset Google Docs Settings
Read MoreDon't Stress Out
Google should have supported offline functionality in all browsers, but considering where they are coming from, it's obvious that they want people to start using their browser. Chrome is absolutely worth installing on Mac if you love using Google Docs and want to make the best out of it.
Next up:Do you have issues with Google Docs not working offline in Chrome? Click on the next link to refer to the guide for fixing Google Docs offline problems.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
Read Next
What Does Make Available Offline Mean in Google Drive
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In the early days of Mac, its default web browser wasn't what you might expect. Surprisingly for all, Microsoft had struck a deal with Apple to ship Macs with Internet Explorer right out of the box. However, once the contract was done, Apple quickly released their own browser called Safari.
Open Chrome, and you can choose to sign into it with your Google Account at the browser level if you want to set up Chrome sync.
Or, you can use the browser without signing into it. It would help if you disabled the Allow Chrome Sign-in feature (Settings > Sync and Google Services > Allow Chrome Sign-in). If you don't do that, Chrome will automatically log you in at the browser level once you sign in to Google Docs later.
Chrome will also prompt you to set it as the default browser. It's up to you to decide whether you want to do that. If you prefer your current browser for your main browsing activities, you can use Chrome just for working on Google Docs.
Add Google Docs Offline Extension
After installing Google Chrome, you must add the Google Docs Offline extension to the browser. As its name implies, the extension allows you to use Google Docs Offline. It is only available for Chrome, but you can also install it on alternative Chrome-based browsers as you will later on.
Download Google Docs Offline ExtensionHead into the Chrome Web Store, search for 'Google Docs Offline' (or click the Download button above). Then, click Add to Chrome to add the extension to Chrome.
Once you've done that, you are ready to start using Google Docs offline. But, you must first enable the functionality.
Enable Google Docs Offline
Load Google Docs in a new Chrome tab and sign in to Google Docs. If you are already signed into Chrome at the browser level, you do not have to sign in to Google Docs again.
On the Google Docs dashboard, select the 3-stacked lines to the top-left of the screen. Then, select the option labeled Settings. On the Settings pop-up that shows up, turn on the switch next to Offline.
Finally, click OK to enable offline functionality in Google Docs. The web app will then start to cache the most recent documents offline.
That means you can load the Google Docs web app in Chrome and start working on your documents. The Google Docs Offline extension will save your changes offline. Once you reconnect to the internet, your changes will automatically sync with Google Drive.
Google Docs also lets you keep working if connectivity drops in the midst of working on a document. Again, the web app will save your changes offline and upload them once you re-establish a connection. However, you can't create new Google Docs documents while you are offline.
Also on Guiding Tech#chrome
Click here to see our chrome articles pageSet Document As Offline
How To Get Google Chrome On Mac Air
Additionally, Google Docs allows you to set any document to be always available offline. To do that, click the three-dot icon next to a document within the Google Docs dashboard and turn on the switch next to Offline Access.
Alternatively, you can do that while working on a document — open the File menu and select Make Available Offline.
Alternative Chromium Browsers
If you prefer an alternative Chromium-based web browser over Chrome (such as Microsoft Edge, Opera GX, or Vivaldi), you can use Google Docs offline.
Start by installing the Google Docs Offline extension from above. Chromium-based browsers support Chrome Web Store extensions, so you should have no trouble installing it.
Follow by adding the User-Agent Switcher and Manager extension. That allows you to masquerade the browser as Chrome by modifying the user agent string.
Install User-Agent Switcher and ManagerOnce you've done that, select the User-Agent Switcher and Manager icon and set the user-agent string to Chrome—you can do that for a single tab or the browser in general.
Once you've done that, you can enable Offline functionality by diving into the Google Docs Settings pane. You can then keep working in Google Docs even after you lose internet connectivity.
But, the fact that you must always set the user agent string of the browser to Chrome, combined with the fact that the Google Docs Offline extension isn't officially supported, may put your work at risk. Hence, it's best to use Chrome itself to work in Google Docs offline, if possible.
Also on Guiding TechHow to Reset Google Docs Settings
Read MoreDon't Stress Out
Google should have supported offline functionality in all browsers, but considering where they are coming from, it's obvious that they want people to start using their browser. Chrome is absolutely worth installing on Mac if you love using Google Docs and want to make the best out of it.
Next up:Do you have issues with Google Docs not working offline in Chrome? Click on the next link to refer to the guide for fixing Google Docs offline problems.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
Read Next
What Does Make Available Offline Mean in Google Drive
Do you want to use
Get all best apps via Setapp
In the early days of Mac, its default web browser wasn't what you might expect. Surprisingly for all, Microsoft had struck a deal with Apple to ship Macs with Internet Explorer right out of the box. However, once the contract was done, Apple quickly released their own browser called Safari.
Unfortunately for Apple's new browser, a stronger alternative under the name of Google Chrome browser had already snapped up the market share. 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.
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Getting Started With Chrome On Mac
Web browsers have come a long way in recent years, with most reaching some sort of feature parity and common user experience, which makes switching between them fairly easy. Chrome browser for Mac is no exception, but the sheer number of users have led to it having an interesting advantage in the marketplace — mostly due to Chrome's presence on any device, from iPhones to Windows desktops. If you've been considering a switch and are wondering how to install Chrome on Mac, your best guide is below.
The benefits of Google Chrome for Mac
There are good reasons for Mac users to prefer Chrome, especially with its natural overlap with other Google products. Users, for example, can sign into their Google Account on Chrome and have it synchronize with their other devices, integrating account data and preferences accordingly. More reasons to make the switch to Chrome include: Create iso mac sierra.
Web developer tools make it easy to test web apps on Chrome, which means strong compatibility with the latest sites and tech standards
Support by nearly every device and operating system, including Windows and Apple products, whereas Safari is only available in iOS and macOS
An impressive library of browser extensions, which grant additional capabilities, such as ad-blocking and custom integrations. It's true that most other browsers also use extensions, but the wider support for Chrome means more developers can get the best bang for their buck by releasing their products on Chrome first.
Truth be told, Chrome isn't without its downsides. A common complaint one might hear is that Google Chrome for Mac uses a lot of system memory (and therefore laptop battery), especially when lots of tabs are open and running.
One might argue it's because Chrome has some of the best security and malware protection, which inherently uses more RAM and battery to accommodate its scans — but whatever the reason, it's not impossible to mitigate — just use Endurance.
Endurance is a lightweight utility that helps you take back the control of your battery life, sometimes extending it by up to 20%. In just a few clicks, Endurance will lower your processor speed, hide background apps, and dim the screen to preserve battery when you don't need to be using it in full brightness — perfect for when you're in and out of Google Chrome.
How to download and install Chrome for Mac
Not sure how to install Google Chrome for Mac? 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. If you agree, click on Accept and Install.
When the Chrome for Mac download is finished, open the file called googlechrome.dmg and go through the installation process
Drag the Chrome icon to the Applications folder when asked — the last step before you finally have Chrome on Mac
Launch Google Chrome from Applications or straight from your Dock Latest word update for mac.
Remove the Google Chrome download for Mac from the Downloads folder by dragging it to the Trash
Now that you know how to download Google Chrome, you might want to make Chrome default browser on Mac. To do this, simply open it and click the three dots in the top-right corner, followed by Settings, then in the Default Browser section click Make Default.
If you're wondering how to update Google Chrome on Mac, you don't have to — Chrome will do this automatically the next time you launch the browser, so you never have to worry about having to look for the latest version.
Making the best use of Google Chrome
Chrome is already a fast web browser, but it can be even faster if you take full advantage of its keyboard shortcuts. From how to search a page on Mac through to opening and closing tabs, here are a few to help you become more productive:
Open a private window for browsing (called Incognito mode) with ⌘ + Shift + N
Open a new tab in a snap using ⌘ + T
Close that same tab by hitting ⌘ + W
Jump to specific tabs holding Command and selecting a number (e.g. 1, 2, or 9). This shortcut will take you directly to the tab number reading from left to right.
Zoom in and out with ⌘ and tapping the + or - keys
Looking for how to search a page on Mac? You can press ⌘ + L to go to Chrome's URL bar, which also doubles as the Google search engine — this makes searching for new pages and websites easier, as you no longer have to navigate to google.com first.
Need to know how to search for a word on a web page in Chrome for Mac? Try ⌘ + F.
Those are just a few of the built-in shortcuts on Chrome, but there may be times when you need more — such as a quick and easy way to take and store screenshots of your web pages. That's where Inboard comes in handy.
Install Google Chrome On Macbook
Capture webpages with Inboard
Get Inboard, an app that enables you to quickly take a screenshot of any part of a webpage as well as organizes screenshots for you.
Inboard is an app that lets you quickly take a screenshot of the full page or just a specific part, then save it to a moodboard among your other favorite images for inspiration. It's like Pinterest but on your desktop, and it can even hook into your Dribble account to measure likes.
To take screenshots with Inboard:
Go to the app's icon in menu bar and select Capture Screenshot or Capture Web Page
For webpages, Inboard will ask you to install a browser extension
Once you have the extension, simply click it on any website to produce a full screenshot
Another tip for making the most out of Chrome is managing your privacy and security better — using a password manager.
Secrets is an app that manages all of your passwords in one place. Using industry-standard PGP encryption, you can store, view, and update all of your passwords without worrying about being hacked or compromised. It syncs with all of your devices, and even manages credit card and other information — without handing it all over to Google.
Now that you know how to download Chrome on Mac and some of the reasons it's so popular — you're ready to go. To really make the most out of Chrome though, you'll want to explore Endurance, Inboard, and Secrets. Best of all, you can do so for free with a 7-day trial on Setapp, a subscription service for Mac that has over 150 exceptionally useful apps to enrich your digital life.
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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