Most Mac browsers update themselves in the background, but an update often does not finish until the browser is restarted. If a website says your browser is out of date, or a feature refuses to work, check the browser manually and relaunch it if an update is waiting.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge on Mac. Each browser has a quick place to check the installed version and trigger an update.
Update Chrome on Mac
Chrome checks immediately from its About page.
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Help > About Google Chrome.
- Wait while Chrome checks for updates and downloads one if available.
- Click Relaunch if Chrome finds an update. If the page says Chrome is up to date, no further action is needed.
Update Firefox on Mac
Firefox uses an About window for updates.
- Open Firefox.
- Click Firefox in the Mac menu bar and choose About Firefox. You can also use the menu button > Help > About Firefox.
- Let the window check for updates automatically.
- If Firefox downloads an update, click Restart to update Firefox.
- If it reports that Firefox is current, you are already on the latest available version for your Mac.
Update Safari and Edge on Mac
Safari updates through macOS. Edge updates from inside the browser.
- Safari: Open the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available macOS update, because Safari updates are bundled with macOS updates.
- Edge: Open the three-dot menu > Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge. Edge checks automatically, then shows Restart if an update is ready or confirms that it is current.
More control
Find the exact version number
The same About page used to update Chrome, Firefox, and Edge shows the exact version and build. For Safari, open Safari > About Safari. This is useful when a support team asks which version you are running.
Quit fully if updates will not finish
Closing a browser window is not always enough. Press Cmd+Q or choose Quit from the app menu, then reopen the browser. Many updates complete only after a real restart of the application.
Old macOS versions can block browser updates
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari eventually stop supporting older macOS releases. If a browser refuses to update beyond a certain version, check System Settings > General > Software Update and install a newer macOS version if your Mac supports it.
Restart occasionally
Background updates work best when browsers are closed and reopened from time to time. If you leave the same browser session running for weeks, security updates can sit waiting for a relaunch.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Update Google Chrome (2025)
- Mozilla Support – Update Firefox to the latest release (2025)
- Apple Support – Update macOS on Mac (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Update Microsoft Edge (2025)