The short answer is yes, you can use Chrome on an iPhone. Google Chrome is available as a free download from the App Store for all iPhone models running iOS 14 or later. Installing and using Chrome on an iPhone is quick and easy.
Is Chrome available for iPhone?
Yes, Google Chrome is available for download on the App Store for iPhone. The Chrome app allows you to sign into your Google account to sync all your bookmarks, history, passwords and settings from your desktop Chrome browser to your iPhone. This makes Chrome on iPhone feel very familiar for those who already use Chrome on other devices.
What iPhones can run Chrome?
Chrome is compatible with any iPhone model running iOS 14 or later. This includes:
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
- iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
- iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
So if you have an iPhone model from the iPhone 6 onwards running iOS 14 or newer, you can install and use Chrome.
How to get Chrome on an iPhone
Downloading and installing Chrome on your iPhone only takes a minute or two:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Search for “Chrome”.
- Tap “Get” next to “Google Chrome”.
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm the download.
- Once downloaded, you’ll find the Chrome app icon on your home screen – tap it to launch.
- The first time you open Chrome, you can sign into your Google account to sync everything.
And that’s it! Chrome is now ready to use on your iPhone. The browser will automatically keep itself updated whenever new versions are released too.
Features of Chrome on iPhone
Chrome on iPhone provides most of the same features as the desktop version of Chrome:
- Syncing – When signed into your Google account, Chrome will sync all your bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and settings.
- Incognito mode – Browse in private with incognito tabs that don’t store your history or cookies.
- Voice search – Use Siri or voice input to initiate searches.
- Tab management – Easily open, switch between and close tabs.
- Autofill – Forms can be automatically filled in using saved password and contact info.
- QR code scanning – Scan QR codes directly within the app using the camera.
- Google Translate – Quickly translate foreign web pages into your preferred language.
The iPhone version of Chrome also integrates well with the native iOS experience. You can share pages to other apps, save pages to your Home Screen, and access iCloud Keychain passwords for autofill.
How Chrome on iPhone compares to Safari
Safari is the default web browser that comes pre-installed on all iPhones. So how does Chrome compare?
There are pros and cons to both browsers:
| Chrome | Safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Syncing | Syncs bookmarks, history etc across devices when signed into Google account | Syncs bookmarks, history etc across Apple devices when signed into iCloud account |
| Tabs | Support for tab previews on the tab switcher | No tab previews on tab switcher |
| Privacy | Incognito browsing available | Private browsing available |
| Speed | Slightly slower page load speeds compared to Safari in testing | Faster page load speeds than Chrome in testing |
| Battery life | Higher battery usage than Safari in testing | Lower battery usage than Chrome in testing |
Some key differences:
- Chrome has deeper Google integration and syncing with your Google account.
- Safari feels a bit faster and lighter than Chrome.
- Safari is better optimized for battery life.
So Safari has some advantages when it comes to speed and battery efficiency. But Chrome offers fuller syncing of settings if you are invested in the Google ecosystem. It comes down to personal preference.
Pros of using Chrome on iPhone
Here are some of the biggest advantages to using Chrome on an iPhone:
Syncs with your Google account
When you sign into your Google account on Chrome, all of your browser data gets synced. This includes bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords, autofill information, and any browser settings you customize. This makes Chrome feel familiar across all your devices.
Access to Chrome web apps and extensions
Chrome for iPhone doesn’t support the full catalog of Chrome web apps and extensions available on desktop. But you do get access to some key web apps like Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. Extensions are limited to Google Translate, Google Dictionary, and a few others.
Google password manager
Chrome can automatically fill in saved passwords from your Google account. This works for any apps or websites you’ve saved passwords for through Chrome on desktop or other mobile devices.
Google Translate integration
The Google Translate extension built into mobile Chrome makes it easy to quickly translate foreign web pages into your preferred language. Safari does not offer a similar feature.
Consistent experience across devices
If you use Chrome extensively on a desktop or Android device, continuing to use Chrome on your iPhone provides a more seamless and consistent browsing experience as you switch between devices.
Cons of using Chrome on iPhone
There are also some downsides to keep in mind with Chrome for iPhone:
Slightly slower performance
In general, Safari tends to feel a bit snappier and faster than Chrome on an iPhone. This mainly comes down to how well optimized Safari is for iOS and the iPhone hardware.
Lower battery life
In testing, Chrome has shown slower page loading and higher battery usage compared to Safari. So you may see worse battery life if using Chrome extensively.
Less privacy than Safari
Apple makes privacy a top priority with Safari. Chrome does allow incognito browsing, but in general Apple’s browser is viewed as safer when it comes to user tracking and data collection policies.
No desktop-level extensions
The Chrome browser on iPhone does not support the full range of extensions available on the desktop version. The extension functionality is limited compared to Safari or desktop Chrome.
Conclusion
Chrome is a fully functional browser option for iPhones, providing the familiar Chrome experience many rely on across their other devices. It makes it easy to continue using your preferred Chrome settings, bookmarks, extensions, and more while on the go with your iPhone.
However, Safari still holds some advantages when it comes to battery efficiency, speed, privacy protections, and optimization for iOS. For many iPhone users, sticking with Safari as the default browser is probably the best choice.
But for heavy Google service and Chrome users, being able to sync seamlessly between Chrome on mobile and desktop may outweigh those limitations. Overall Chrome is a solid browser for iPhone that gives you flexibility if Safari alone isn’t meeting all your needs.
