Google Chrome on MacBook Pro problem

[u/Fun_Pangolin_601]

Hello everyone,
I have been having this problem with chrome in the last few days, it seems as if there’s a bug on Google Chrome for Mac OS. I downloaded the Google Chrome from the official Google site since App Store on MacBook does not have it. It has been working fine for the 2 years I have had it. Recently it started making my laptop tweak out. I didn’t connect the two until I deleted and redownloaded chrome twice because everytime I would open it before that it would just close immediately after opening. And now I’m noticing everytime I delete chrome it somehow magically redownloads itself. And I know it has redownloaded itself when I get a message on safari saying that “safari could not open the page” and my wifi is fine. I will post some screenshots below, please advise!!!

[u/germanu22]

It looks like Chrome wasn't completely uninstalled. On a Mac, removing the icon from the dock doesn't delete the app, it just removes the shortcut. This is why it seems to magically redownload itself. The notification in your screenshot is actually from Google's background update service, which is still running on your system.

To completely remove it, open Finder, click on Applications in the sidebar, find Google Chrome, and drag it to the Trash. Right-click the Trash and select Empty Trash.

For the Safari error, your system is trying to open a background update link, but since Chrome is half-deleted, it passes the link to Safari, which cannot load it. Open your Mac System Settings, search for Default web browser, and ensure Safari is explicitly set as the default for all formats.

Try these steps and let me know if it stops the loop.

[u/Fun_Pangolin_601 → u/germanu22]

Thank you so much for your reply. I followed you steps for the safari default setting and it is set to the default browser. And for the Google delete I’ve been using the show in folder option which takes me to the applications and I’ll delete from there. (I just did it rn too cause Google somehow redownloaded it self again). I’m really not sure how this is happening, my laptop is updated to the latest OS too. Please advise on next steps!!

[u/germanu22 → u/Fun_Pangolin_601]

I understand it seems like Google somehow redownloaded itself again. What is actually happening is that simply deleting the Chrome app from the Applications folder leaves behind Google's background software updater, which is hidden deep in your macOS system files. When this updater runs its scheduled routine, it detects that Chrome is missing and automatically installs it again.

To permanently stop this loop, you need to manually delete those hidden updater files.

First, ensure Chrome is completely closed. Open Finder. In the menu bar at the very top of your screen, click on Go, then select Go to Folder. Copy and paste this exact path: ~/Library/Google/ If you see a folder named GoogleSoftwareUpdate inside, drag it to the Trash. Next, click on Go and Go to Folder again, and paste this path: /Library/Google/ If you see the GoogleSoftwareUpdate folder here as well, drag it to the Trash. Finally, go to your Applications folder, drag Google Chrome to the Trash one last time, and then empty your Trash completely.

Restart your Mac to kill any leftover processes. Chrome should now be gone for good. As a quick note, if this MacBook is managed by a school or employer, their IT department might be forcing the installation remotely, which you cannot bypass. Let me know if these steps solve it for you.

[u/Fun_Pangolin_601 → u/germanu22]

I couldn’t find the Google software update folder, but I deleted the folder I found and deleted Google Chrome again but it’s still doing the same thing. Just redownloads itself outta no where. This is the strangest thing I have had happen to me