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If you’re working with Selenium WebDriver, automated testing, or browser automation on macOS, you’ll eventually need ChromeDriver. Without it, Chrome won’t talk to your scripts and nothing will run.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about how to download ChromeDriver for Mac safely, where to get the official files, how to set it up, and how to troubleshoot common errors.

We’ll also cover best practices so you never run into version mismatches again.

What Is ChromeDriver?

Download ChromeDriver for Mac

ChromeDriver is a small executable that acts as a bridge between Selenium (or another automation tool) and your Chrome browser.

  • It translates your code (Python, Java, C#, etc.) into commands Chrome understands.

  • Without it, Selenium tests cannot run on Chrome.

  • It’s developed and maintained by the Chromium team.

On Mac, ChromeDriver works just like it does on Windows or Linux you just need the right version and proper setup in your PATH.

Why Do You Need to Download ChromeDriver for Mac?

If you’re:

  • Writing automated browser tests with Selenium

  • Scraping web data (responsibly) with Python or Node.js

  • Running end-to-end tests in CI/CD pipelines

  • Building automation scripts for Chrome

…then ChromeDriver is essential.

It ensures your scripts can control Chrome just like a real user opening tabs, clicking buttons, filling forms, and more.

Where to Download ChromeDriver for Mac Safely

Here’s the most important part: Always download ChromeDriver from official sources.

Official ChromeDriver Download Page

This is maintained by the Chromium team. You’ll always find the latest stable and beta versions here.

 Chrome for Testing Repository (Preferred)

Google recently introduced Chrome for Testing, which makes it easier to get ChromeDriver builds matched with Chrome versions.

 Avoid These

  • Third-party blogs hosting “free downloads”

  • GitHub repos from unknown developers

  • Random file-sharing sites

These may contain malware or outdated drivers that can break your setup.

Step-by-Step: How to Download ChromeDriver for Mac

Follow these steps to install ChromeDriver safely on macOS.

Step 1: Check Your Chrome Version

  1. Open Chrome.

  2. Go to Menu → Help → About Google Chrome.

  3. Note the version number (e.g., 117.0.5938.92).

ChromeDriver must match your major version (the first three numbers).

Step 2: Download ChromeDriver for Mac

  1. Visit the official ChromeDriver downloads page.

  2. Select the version that matches your Chrome browser.

  3. Choose macOS (x64 or arm64) depending on your Mac:

    • Intel Mac → x64

    • M1/M2/M3 Mac (Apple Silicon) → arm64

Step 3: Extract the File

  1. Open the .zip file you downloaded.

  2. You’ll see a single binary: chromedriver.

Step 4: Move ChromeDriver to a Safe Location

For global access, move it to /usr/local/bin/.

sudo mv chromedriver /usr/local/bin/
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/chromedriver

This ensures your scripts can call it from anywhere.

Step 5: Verify Installation

Run:

chromedriver --version

If successful, you’ll see something like:

ChromeDriver 117.0.5938.92

Adding ChromeDriver to PATH on Mac

If you don’t want to move the file, you can add its folder to your PATH.

  1. Open Terminal.

  2. Edit your shell config file:

  • For zsh (default on new macOS):

    nano ~/.zshrc

  • For bash:

    nano ~/.bash_profile

  1. Add this line (replace with your folder path):

export PATH=$PATH:/Users/yourname/Downloads/chromedriver

  1. Save and reload:

source ~/.zshrc

Now you can run chromedriver globally.

Using ChromeDriver with Selenium on Mac

Here’s a quick Python example:

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.service import Service
from webdriver_manager.chrome import ChromeDriverManager# Option 1: If chromedriver is in PATH
driver = webdriver.Chrome()# Option 2: Using webdriver-manager (auto-handles downloads)
driver = webdriver.Chrome(service=Service(ChromeDriverManager().install()))driver.get(“https://www.google.com”)
print(driver.title)
driver.quit()

Tip: Using webdriver-manager automates ChromeDriver updates, which saves time.

Troubleshooting ChromeDriver on Mac

Sometimes, you may run into issues. Here’s how to fix them.

❌ Error: “chromedriver cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified”

Solution:

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /usr/local/bin/chromedriver

❌ Error: “Session not created: This version of ChromeDriver only supports Chrome version XX”

Solution:

  • Update ChromeDriver to match your Chrome version.

  • Or use webdriver-manager to auto-install the correct one.

❌ Error: “chromedriver: command not found”

Solution:

  • Ensure it’s in /usr/local/bin/.

  • Or check your PATH settings.

Keeping ChromeDriver Updated on Mac

Since Chrome updates frequently, ChromeDriver must be updated too.

Manual Updates

  • Check your Chrome version monthly.

  • Download the matching ChromeDriver manually.

Automatic Updates with WebDriver Manager

In Python:

pip install webdriver-manager

Then update your code to:

driver = webdriver.Chrome(service=Service(ChromeDriverManager().install()))

This automatically downloads the right version.

ChromeDriver on Mac Intel vs M1/M2

  • Intel Mac (x64): Works with older .zip builds.

  • Apple Silicon (arm64): Use the arm64 build for smooth performance.

If you’re unsure which Mac you have, go to Apple Menu → About This Mac.

Best Practices for ChromeDriver on Mac

  • Always download from official sources.

  • Match your Chrome and ChromeDriver versions.

  • Use webdriver-manager for automatic updates.

  • Keep Chrome updated to avoid compatibility issues.

  • Run ChromeDriver from a secure directory (not Downloads).

FAQs About Downloading ChromeDriver for Mac

1. Is ChromeDriver free to use?
Yes, it’s completely free and open-source.

2. Do I need ChromeDriver if I don’t use Selenium?
If you’re not running automation, you don’t need it.

3. Can I install ChromeDriver with Homebrew?
Yes:

brew install chromedriver

But it may not always match the latest Chrome version.

4. How do I uninstall ChromeDriver from my Mac?

sudo rm /usr/local/bin/chromedriver

Final Thoughts

Learning how to download ChromeDriver for Mac safely is crucial for anyone working with automation or testing. By sticking to official download sources, keeping versions in sync, and following setup best practices, you’ll avoid headaches and get a smooth automation experience.

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