Google says it found a critical crash in the browser

Nov 18, 2020 19:16 GMT  ·  By

Apple announced the M1 chip earlier this month, and the very first devices powered by Apple Silicon started shipping only recently, so software developers out there are in a rush to optimize their apps for these computers.

And of course, Google is one of the first trying to take advantage of Apple Silicon, so this week the company shipped Google Chrome specifically optimized for the M1 chip.

Those who have already purchased a device powered by Apple Silicon were allowed to download Google Chrome from the official website, only that the Mountain View-based search giant actually pulled it only a few hours after launching the browser.

And it’s all because of a critical crash that was rapidly acknowledged by Google.

“Earlier today we updated our Chrome download page to include a new version of Chrome optimized for new macOS devices featuring an Apple processor. We’ve discovered that the version of Chrome made available for download today may crash unexpectedly. This should only affect users who have installed Chrome today, and only on new macOS devices with an Apple processor,” Google explains.

The search giant said that a fix has already been developed, but in the meantime, the download links have been removed.

The temporary fix

Workarounds have already been offered for devices struggling with the crash, with Google sharing the following steps for Apple Silicon users:  

  • Open System Preferences.
  • Navigate to Security & Privacy.
  • At the top, select Privacy.
  • From the left, select Bluetooth.
  • Below your approved applications, select add application (+).
  • Select Google Chrome.
  • Restart Chrome.

There’s no ETA available at this point as to when the search giant could once again publish Google Chrome for Apple Silicon, but given that a fix has already been developed, it shouldn’t take too long before the go-ahead is giving to the browser.