How to Download ChromeDriver in 2025 – Step-by-Step Guide for Selenium Web Automation

Introduction: Why ChromeDriver is Crucial for Selenium Automation in 2025

Web automation is more popular than ever in 2025. With businesses, testers, and developers striving to save time and improve accuracy, Selenium remains the go-to automation tool. But here’s the catch — Selenium can’t control your Chrome browser without ChromeDriver. Think of ChromeDriver as the bridge between Selenium scripts and your Chrome browser. 

Without it, your automation scripts won’t even open a browser window, let alone run your tests. That’s why learning how to download ChromeDriver correctly is essential if you’re getting into web automation. Whether you’re trying to download ChromeDriver for Mac, Windows, or Linux, this guide will walk you through every step. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know exactly how to get the chromedriver latest version and set it up flawlessly.

What is ChromeDriver?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of downloading and setting up ChromeDriver, it’s worth taking a minute to understand what it actually does. ChromeDriver is a small executable maintained by Google that enables Selenium to communicate with the Chrome browser using the WebDriver protocol. Selenium alone can’t “speak” directly to Chrome; it needs this middleman.

You can think of ChromeDriver as a remote control for Chrome. You write your test in Selenium, and ChromeDriver sends the instructions to the browser and fetches the results back to Selenium. Without ChromeDriver, Selenium would be like a car with no engine. That’s why keeping your ChromeDriver updated and properly installed is critical to ensure smooth web automation.

One common mistake people make is downloading the wrong version of ChromeDriver, which leads to compatibility errors. Hence, always go for the chromedriver latest version that matches your browser. You’ll see how to do that in this guide.

Why You Need the Latest ChromeDriver Version

In 2025, Chrome updates itself frequently — sometimes weekly. Every update brings subtle changes under the hood, and ChromeDriver needs to be compatible with these changes. That’s why it’s strongly recommended to always download the chromedriver latest version.

If you use an older ChromeDriver with a newer Chrome, you’ll likely encounter errors like “session not created: This version of ChromeDriver only supports Chrome version XX”. To avoid this, ensure you’re downloading from the official https chromedriver chromium org downloads page, where the most recent stable versions are posted.

Using the latest version also ensures:

Better performance and bug fixes.

Support for the newest Chrome features.

Enhanced security.

So whenever you update your Chrome browser, make it a habit to update your ChromeDriver as well. It’s a small step that saves hours of troubleshooting.

Prerequisites Before Downloading ChromeDriver

Before rushing to hit the download button, you should first check a few things to make your setup process smooth:

Installed Google Chrome: Make sure Chrome is installed and up-to-date. You can’t test web apps without it.

Check your Chrome version: You’ll need this to pick the right ChromeDriver version.

Administrative rights: On some systems, you might need admin access to modify environment variables or install files.

Internet connection: Since you’ll be downloading from the web, a stable internet connection is a must.

With these in place, you’re ready to begin.

Step 1: Visit the Official ChromeDriver Website

This is the most important step because downloading ChromeDriver from unofficial sources can lead to outdated or malicious software. Always use the official site for google chromedriver download. Here’s how:

Open your browser and go to: https://chromedriver.chromium.org/downloads

This is the official download page maintained by Google.

You’ll see a list of ChromeDriver versions corresponding to different Chrome browser versions.

Bookmark this page — you’ll likely visit it often if you work in web automation.

On this page, you can also find links to beta and experimental versions if you’re working with unreleased Chrome builds. But for most use cases, stick to the latest stable release.

Step 2: Identify Your Chrome Browser Version

Now you need to find out which version of Chrome you’re currently running. ChromeDriver is very picky about versions, so this step is crucial. Here’s how to check your Chrome version:

Open Chrome.

Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

Go to Help > About Google Chrome.

You’ll see your Chrome version listed at the top, something like Version 124.0.6367.203.

Note the first two or three numbers (e.g., 124). You’ll need this number to pick the matching ChromeDriver version. If your Chrome version is outdated, update it before proceeding so you can get the chromedriver latest version.

Step 3: Select the Correct ChromeDriver Version

Back on the https chromedriver chromium org downloads page, find the ChromeDriver that corresponds to your Chrome version. For example:

If your Chrome version is 124.x.xxxx.x, download ChromeDriver 124.

If it’s 125.x.xxxx.x, download ChromeDriver 125.

Google typically provides links to the current stable, beta, and previous versions. Don’t guess — always match the exact version. If your Chrome is ahead of the stable channel, you might need to download a beta ChromeDriver.

On the download page, you’ll also see a changelog with details about what’s new or fixed in that release — worth skimming if you’re troubleshooting issues.

Step 4: Choose the Appropriate OS

Once you’ve identified the right version, you’ll see download links for different operating systems. ChromeDriver supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Choose the one that matches your machine.

For Windows users, click the .zip file labeled for Windows. This will contain chromedriver.exe — perfect for chromedriver exe download.

For macOS users, click on the Mac .zip file. This is the correct file if you’re searching for download chromedriver for Mac.

For Linux, choose the Linux .tar.gz archive.

If you’re on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3 chips), some newer ChromeDriver builds provide separate binaries for ARM-based Macs. Make sure you pick the correct one to avoid compatibility issues.

After clicking the link, your browser will download a .zip (or .tar.gz) file to your Downloads folder.

Step 5: Download ChromeDriver Executable

Now that you’ve picked your OS and ChromeDriver version, it’s time to grab the file:

Locate the downloaded archive in your Downloads folder.

This is the file you downloaded from https chromedriver chromium org downloads.

For Windows, this contains the file you’ll recognize as chromedriver.exe download. For Mac and Linux, it’s just chromedriver.

Keep this file somewhere safe — preferably in a dedicated folder for your Selenium tools. Don’t just leave it in Downloads because you’ll need to reference its path when running tests.

Pro tip: Create a folder like C:\Selenium\ on Windows or /usr/local/bin/ on Mac/Linux and move the executable there. This keeps your workspace organized and makes it easier to set up the system PATH later.

Step 6: Extract the Downloaded Files

Once you’ve downloaded the .zip or .tar.gz archive, it’s time to extract it. This step is simple but important because Selenium won’t be able to use the file while it’s still compressed.

For Windows:

Right-click on the .zip file you downloaded.

Choose Extract All… and pick a folder where you want to keep ChromeDriver.

You’ll see chromedriver.exe inside the extracted folder.

For Mac and Linux:

Open the Terminal.

Navigate to the folder where the downloaded .zip or .tar.gz file is.

Run the following command:

This will extract the chromedriver binary into the current directory.

After extracting, double-check that the file exists and is executable. On Mac/Linux, you may also need to give it execution permissions:

Organize your files by moving chromedriver (or chromedriver.exe) into a dedicated folder for your automation tools. This makes it easier to set up in the next steps.

Step 7: Add ChromeDriver to System PATH

You don’t want to type the full path to chromedriver every time you run Selenium tests, right? That’s where adding it to your system PATH comes in handy. Once it’s in your PATH, you can call it from anywhere.

On Windows:

Press Windows + S, search for Environment Variables, and open it.

In the System Properties dialog, click on Environment Variables….

Under System variables, find and select Path, then click Edit.

Click New and add the folder where chromedriver.exe is located (e.g., C:\Selenium\).

Click OK on all dialogs to save changes.

Open a new Command Prompt and type:

css

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chromedriver --version

You should see the version output, confirming it’s working.

On Mac/Linux:

Open Terminal.

Edit your shell configuration file (.bash_profile, .zshrc, or .bashrc) and add:

ruby

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export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/chromedriver/folder

Save the file and run:

bash

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source ~/.zshrc

or

bash

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source ~/.bash_profile

Test with:

css

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chromedriver --version

If you see the version printed, you’ve successfully added it to your PATH.

Step 8: Verify ChromeDriver Installation

It’s good practice to confirm everything is working properly before writing Selenium scripts.

Here’s how you test it:

Open your Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).

Run:

nginx

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chromedriver

If it’s properly installed, you’ll see something like:

pgsql

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Starting ChromeDriver 124.0.6367.0 (abcdef123456)

Only local connections are allowed.

Please see https://chromedriver.chromium.org/security-considerations for suggestions on keeping ChromeDriver safe.

Press CTRL+C to stop it.

This means your google chromedriver download was successful, it’s installed correctly, and ready to use with Selenium.

Tips for Automating with ChromeDriver

Now that your ChromeDriver is installed, here are a few pro tips to get the most out of it:

Keep it updated: Remember to re-check the chromedriver latest version whenever your Chrome browser updates.

Use headless mode for speed: If you don’t need a GUI, run Chrome in headless mode to save resources.

Check release notes: Visit the official site to stay informed about bug fixes and new features.

Version control: If your test suite runs on different machines, always ensure everyone uses the same ChromeDriver version for consistency.

With these practices, you’ll avoid many of the headaches common in Selenium automation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best setup, you might run into a few bumps along the way. Here are some common issues and their fixes:

✅ Error: SessionNotCreatedException:

Cause: ChromeDriver version does not match your Chrome browser.

Fix: Download the correct version from https chromedriver chromium org downloads.

✅ chromedriver not recognized as an internal or external command:

Cause: ChromeDriver not added to PATH.

Fix: Recheck your PATH settings and restart your terminal.

✅ Permission denied (Mac/Linux):

Cause: Missing execute permission.

Fix: Run chmod +x chromedriver.

✅ Port already in use:

Cause: Another instance of ChromeDriver is running.

Fix: Kill the existing process or choose a different port.

By keeping these quick fixes in mind, you’ll save yourself hours of debugging time.

Conclusion

Setting up ChromeDriver correctly in 2025 is essential for anyone serious about Selenium web automation. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve learned how to check your Chrome version, download the right chromedriver latest version, install it for your operating system — whether it’s Windows, Linux, or download chromedriver for Mac — and make sure it’s running properly. Automation can seem intimidating at first, but once your tools are set up correctly, you’re ready to write powerful, time-saving scripts that do the hard work for you. Don’t forget: always download ChromeDriver from the official https chromedriver chromium org downloads page to avoid malware and stay up to date.

FAQs

1. Where can I find the official ChromeDriver download page?

You can find it at: https://chromedriver.chromium.org/downloads

2. Do I need to reinstall ChromeDriver every time Chrome updates?

Yes, if your Chrome browser updates and the major version changes, you’ll likely need to update ChromeDriver as well.

3. How do I download ChromeDriver for Mac specifically?

On the official download page, choose the Mac .zip file (or ARM version if you have an M-series chip). Then extract and set up as shown in this guide.

4. Can I use ChromeDriver without adding it to PATH?

Yes, but you’ll have to specify the full path to chromedriver in your Selenium script every time.

5. What is the file I need to look for after downloading?

On Windows, look for chromedriver.exe download; on Mac/Linux, it’s just chromedriver.