This is a common question that many users have about Google Chrome. The short answer is: No, Chrome is now 64-bit by default on most desktop platforms. However, there are still some cases where 32-bit Chrome is used.
When did Chrome switch to 64-bit?
Google Chrome first launched in 2008 as a 32-bit browser. At the time, 32-bit was still the dominant architecture on personal computers. However, as 64-bit computing became more popular in the 2010s, Google started the process of transitioning Chrome to 64-bit.
The first official 64-bit version of Chrome was released in 2014 for Windows. But this was opt-in – users had to manually download the 64-bit installer if they wanted it. Google Chrome for Mac switched to 64-bit by default in 2016.
Finally, in 2018, Google Chrome 69 was released and switched all desktop platforms to 64-bit by default. This included Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS. So any Chrome browser installed or updated after this point will be 64-bit.
When is 32-bit Chrome still used?
Despite the switch to 64-bit, there are still some cases where you may encounter 32-bit Chrome:
- On older machines that do not support 64-bit – Some older PCs and Macs (pre-2009) may still be stuck on 32-bit processors and unable to run 64-bit software.
- Chrome installations that have not been updated – If you install an old version of Chrome and do not keep it updated, it will remain 32-bit.
- Specific browser distributions – Some Linux distros may still package 32-bit Chrome in their repos.
- Chrome OS – The Chrome browser on Chromebooks is still 32-bit due to the hardware constraints of many Chromebooks.
So in summary, while Chrome itself is 64-bit, you may find some situations where a 32-bit version is running for compatibility reasons. But for most general desktop users, Chrome is now 64-bit.
Why did Chrome switch to 64-bit?
There were a few key reasons Google wanted to transition Chrome to 64-bit:
- Security – 64-bit software is generally more secure than 32-bit due to exploit mitigations like ASLR.
- Speed – 64-bit browsers can better leverage the hardware capabilities of modern devices for improved performance.
- Memory – 64-bit applications can access more RAM, which allows Chrome to manage memory better, especially with lots of tabs open.
- Future-proofing – As more PCs and devices switched to 64-bit, Google wanted to stay ahead of the curve.
The move to 64-bit has allowed Chrome to become faster, safer, and more responsive as modern web pages and applications continue to become more complex.
How to tell if your Chrome is 32-bit or 64-bit
You can easily check whether your installed Chrome browser is running as 32-bit or 64-bit:
On Windows
- Open Chrome
- Click the 3-dot menu in the top right > Help > About Google Chrome
- Look at the version number – if it says “32-bit” it’s 32-bit, if it says “64-bit” it’s 64-bit
On macOS
- Open Chrome
- Click Chrome in the menu bar > About Google Chrome
- Look at the version number – if it says “32-bit” it’s 32-bit, if it says “64-bit” it’s 64-bit
On Linux
Open a terminal and run:
$ google-chrome --version
If it says “i386” it’s 32-bit, if it says “x86_64” it’s 64-bit.
Conclusion
Google Chrome switched to 64-bit by default in 2018 for desktop platforms, bringing improved security, speed, and memory handling. However, you may still encounter some 32-bit versions in specific cases for compatibility. Checking Chrome’s version will let you know if you have 64-bit or if you are still running 32-bit.