What is Google Chrome on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Google's web browser. Its tabs and extensions run in separate 'Google Chrome Helper' processes.
Google Chrome is the browser's main process: it manages windows, tabs, downloads and settings. Each tab, extension and the graphics work run in separate Google Chrome Helper processes, which is why you see many of them. Chrome's own Task Manager (Window > Task Manager) shows which tab or extension each helper belongs to.
- Category
- Third-party
- Made by
- Safe to quit:
- Yes
Shown in Activity Monitor as Google Chrome
Why is Google Chrome using so much CPU or memory?
- Many tabs open, especially with video or heavy web apps
- Extensions running in the background
- Sync, downloads or updates
- Chrome continuing to run background apps after you close its windows
What to do
- 1Open Chrome's Task Manager (Window > Task Manager) to find the heavy tab or extension
- 2Close tabs you don't need, or turn on Memory Saver in Chrome Settings > Performance
- 3Disable extensions you don't use (chrome://extensions)
- 4Turn off 'Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed' in Settings > System
- 5Quit and reopen Chrome
Safe to quit? Yes.
Safe to quit; Chrome can restore your tabs when you reopen it.
Typical usage
Rough ranges on Apple Silicon Macs. Yours will vary.
- CPU
- 0–5% idle (main process)
- Memory
- 200 MB – 1 GB for the main process; helpers add more per tab
Related processes
- Google Chrome Helper (Renderer)Runs web pages and extensions for Chrome; usually one per site or extension.
- Google Chrome Helper (GPU)Chrome's graphics process: draws pages and plays video using your Mac's graphics chip.
- Google Chrome HelperBackground helpers that do work for Chrome, such as networking, audio and other services.
- GoogleUpdaterKeeps Chrome and other Google apps up to date in the background.
Part of the Taskglass Process Library