How to Set a Chrome Policy on macOS Monterey

Managing browser settings in enterprise or educational environments is critical for maintaining security, enforcing compliance policies, and ensuring user experience standards. On macOS Monterey, setting policies for Google Chrome can be done through configuration profiles, which allow administrators to apply specific rules and preferences centrally. These profiles can restrict browsing behavior, set default pages, or enforce extensions to remain active—making them invaluable for IT professionals managing macOS fleets in business or classroom settings.

TLDR (Too long, didn’t read)

To set a Chrome policy on macOS Monterey, you’ll need to use a configuration profile in .plist format. This file can be distributed manually or through MDM solutions to enforce specific Chrome settings. Apple’s Profile Manager or third-party MDM tools can help deploy these policies efficiently across machines. By placing this profile in the right system directory, Chrome will automatically adopt the settings on next launch.

Understanding Chrome Policies on macOS

Google Chrome supports enterprise-level management through policies that administrators define. These policies can control everything from homepage settings and bookmarks to web filtering and password management. macOS Monterey continues to support the configuration of managed preferences for apps, including Chrome, through property list (.plist) files.

On macOS, Chrome reads these policies from specific file paths at system and user levels. Proper setup ensures persistent management, meaning even if a user tries to change a setting, Chrome will revert it according to the configured policy.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting a Chrome Policy on macOS Monterey

1. Understand the Required Tools

Before setting up a Chrome policy, make sure you have the following tools in place:

macOS Monterey machine with admin privileges
Google Chrome browser installed
Text editor like VSCode, Sublime Text, or Apple’s own Xcode Property List editor
Terminal access for directory navigation and confirming policy application

2. Create a Chrome Configuration Policy (.plist file)

The Chrome browser policies on macOS are typically set using a .plist (property list) file located within one of the system’s configuration directories. Below is a basic example of a policy that forces Google Chrome to start with a specific homepage:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" 
  "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
  <dict>
    <key>HomepageLocation</key>
    <string>https://www.companyhomepage.com</string>
    <key>HomepageIsNewTabPage</key>
    <false/>
    <key>RestoreOnStartup</key>
    <integer>1</integer>
  </dict>
</plist>

You can define additional keys depending on what behavior you want to enforce. Google maintains an official Chrome Policy List that outlines all available settings.

3. Installing the Policy Locally

Once you’ve created the .plist file, you need to place it in the appropriate directory:

/Library/Managed Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist for system-wide application
~/Library/Managed Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist for user-level application

To copy your new configuration file to the correct location, use the following Terminal command:

sudo cp ~/Downloads/com.google.Chrome.plist /Library/Managed\ Preferences/

Enter your admin password when prompted. Chrome will load this configuration the next time it is launched.

Verifying If Chrome Policies Are Active

After placing the policy, you’ll want to ensure that it works as intended. Chrome offers a built-in internal page to check applied policies:

Open Google Chrome.
In the address bar, type chrome://policy and press Enter.

This page lists all active and non-active policies. If your .plist file has been read correctly by Chrome, the policy keys and values will appear here. If the page shows “No Policies Set,” revisit your plist for syntax issues or check the file path.

Troubleshooting Common Errors

Here are a few issues you might encounter during setup:

Malformed .plist File: Use a dedicated plist editor or validate with `plutil` to confirm structure.
Incorrect File Path: Double-check whether you’re using system vs user-level directories.
Cached Policy Settings: Restart Chrome or the Mac after applying a new policy file.

Using MDM to Push Chrome Policies

For organizations managing many devices, using an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution is preferable to manual changes. MDMs can push configuration profiles to multiple Macs, ensuring consistency and compliance with organizational policies.

To use MDM for Chrome policies:

Create a Payload using Apple Configurator or your MDM’s profile editor.
Insert the Chrome policy settings into the com.google.Chrome domain.
Deploy this profile to target computers using the MDM dashboard.

Popular MDM providers such as Jamf Pro, Kandji, ManageEngine, and Mosyle support Google Chrome policy management.

Editing or Removing Existing Policies

If you need to update a Chrome policy, modify the corresponding keys within your plist file and reapply it using the same steps. Chrome does not require reinstallation to apply new policies, only a restart of the application (or the system, in some cases).

To completely remove a policy, delete the corresponding .plist file from the configuration directory:

sudo rm /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist

Again, relaunch Chrome or restart the Mac to ensure the changes take effect.

Best Practices for macOS Chrome Policy Management

Always test new configurations on non-production systems before full deployment.
Back up existing plist files before making changes to avoid losing critical configurations.
Document all applied settings and their rationale to aid future troubleshooting or audits.
Use MDM for large-scale management. Manual setup is prone to human error and difficult to scale.

Security Considerations

Chrome policies can dramatically improve system security and prevent data loss. Some examples of impactful policy settings include:

Disabling password saving and autofill features.
Restricting extension installations to approved items only.
Blocking access to file download locations.
Configuring safe browsing and enforcing HTTPS-only mode.

Implementing secure policies helps protect both corporate and personal user data, especially in environments with shared or public desktops.

Conclusion

Setting Chrome policies on macOS Monterey involves a combination of understanding Apple’s configuration system and appreciating Chrome’s powerful administrative controls. Whether you’re using manual plist files or deploying them via MDM, these settings let administrators craft a safer and more controlled browsing environment.

Organizations and institutions stand to benefit tremendously from proper Chrome policy implementation. Not only does it help secure macOS endpoints, but it also ensures consistency, reduces IT support overhead, and enhances the endpoint user experience.