How do I stop repeated Google Chrome pop-up on macOS Sonoma?

As others have previously reported on this community (on another, now closed thread), I keep getting an annoying Google Chrome pop-up window that tells me "There is no application set to open the URL chrome-extension://ekhagklcjbdpajgpjgmbionohlpdbjgc/translateSandbox/translateSandbox.html." This started happening a few months ago. I don't use Google Chrome, although it is installed on my computer. I did remove Chrome for a while, but the pop-up kept on happening, so then I tried putting it back and going into Google Chrome settings to block all pop-ups, but still it keeps happening. It happens randomly, usually late on in the day (I am in the UK). I do use DuoLingo, so have wondered if it is connected to that, but it pops up even when I haven't been onto DuoLingo. It happens several times a week, and the only way to get rid of it is to re-boot. Others have said they have rebooted in safe mode, but that has only worked for a while. I tried posting this issue on the Google Chrome users forum, but nobody could help. Apple have connected to my laptop remotely and can't see anything untoward or understand why this is happening (although inevitably it didn't happen that particular day!). So has anyone else who has had / is having this problem managed to resolve it?


I am on Sonoma 14.7.1 and use Safari as my main browser (which is when the windows pop up) on a MacBook Air. It is driving me nuts. Help!!


[Re-Titled By Moderator]

Posted on Jan 13, 2025 12:44 PM

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17 replies

Jan 14, 2025 5:23 AM in response to hcsitas

Thanks but I don't have it installed as such in the first place. There is no app for a Mac (only for iPhone or iPad) so I use via my Browser (Safari). I am not even sure that these pop-ups started at the same time I started using Duolingo, but it is the only thing I can think of that would seem to tie in with the message on the pop-up. It would be useful to know if others who also have experienced these pop-ups are also using Duolingo or any other language learning/translation based programme, as if not, the Duolingo connection may be a false assumption.

Jan 14, 2025 6:15 AM in response to hcsitas

Re apps installed, the only non-standard app I have installed on my MacBook is WhatsApp, but that has been there for about three years (and updated as required) without any previous problems. On my iPhone (which Ii guess could affect things due to the sync functionality?) I have a lot of apps, but am not aware of any dodgy ones. Apps include family history apps, delivery company apps, train and bus times, major retail stores (UK), etc, all of them there for some considerable time. The only apps I can remember installing last year were Duolingo for iPhone, and Aurora Watch. I have just deleted both of these, just in case.

Jan 14, 2025 7:07 AM in response to AJB_SC

I find your responses to be unhelpful and speculative i.e. throwing out wild theories in different directions, even devices, when what's needed is your cooperation finding the rogue app that's clearly causing this stuff.


There is one lurking in your system, clearly. Since we can't even guess what it might be, I suggest you reset your Mac to factory and start afresh. If you do so, do not involve Time Machine during any part of the process since it could be contaminated as well. Good luck!

Jan 14, 2025 8:02 AM in response to hcsitas

hcsitas - I am sorry if you find my responses unhelpful and speculative. First of all, please know that I am not very technical (hence not knowing whether apps on my iPhone can be relevant to a pop-up on my laptop - I mentioned it because I wasn't sure if it is relevant or not, given Apple synchronises devices to a certain extent). Also, you asked me to list any "dodgy third party apps" that I have installed. Well I don't have any non-standard apps installed on my laptop other than WhatsApp, which is what I responded (apps which to my simple mind are standard are those from Apple that were installed automatically (Numbers, Pages, etc), plus Microsoft Office, Zoom, Family Tree Maker, MacFamilyTree10, Dropbox, Mazda Toolbox, Malwarebytes and my HP Printer - none of which I think of as "dodgy apps" - oh and Google Docs and Google Chrome, and I have already tried uninstalling the latter for a while and clearing my history but still got the pop-ups).


I mentioned having apps on my phone just in case that was relevant, but haven't listed all those as a) it may not be relevant, b) you said there was no need to list them, and c) it would be a very long list.


As for speculating about whether or not this pop-up is related to Duolingo, I mention that because the pop-up refers to Translate, and I think I first started to get the odd pop-up around the time I started using Duolingo which is obviously language based thus involving translation, but I can't be sure (it was not within the first few days or I would have definitely associated it). Hence me asking if others who have had this same pop-up have also used Duolingo, to see if that was a clue or not. The other thread I read re this topic was posted on this site Sept/Oct time last year but appears to have been closed off towards the end of the year, without a resolution as far as I could see.


It had occurred to me I may have to resort to Factory Settings, but was hoping to avoid that as I presume I would lose some of my apps (eg Microsoft) and associated files - or would I? (As I say, I am not very technical).

Jan 14, 2025 8:25 AM in response to AJB_SC

Understood, and thank you for responding calmly to my admittedly harsh post.


Resetting to factory is the best course IMO, especially since it’s a breeze to do and not as extreme as it sounds. Here’s how to proceed:


  • manually copy local user files i.e. PDFs, Word/Excel/jpegs to an external location for restoring later
  • disable Time Machine & physically disconnect the TM disk
  • reset the iMac to factory: see What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support (but as previously mentioned, skip any step that involves Time Machine)
  • Once that’s done, setup the Mac afresh and re-install Apps, postponing those that don’t pass the smell test (whatever that is)
  • and copy back the user files saved earlier


The process is actually enjoyable - think of it as getting a new Mac for free. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours at the most. If you’re iCloud savvy, piece of cake since iCloud will take care of files, bookmarks etc. If you have tons of email accounts, a bit stressful but again painless.


All the best.

Jan 14, 2025 8:46 AM in response to hcsitas

Thanks hcsitas. I will have to wait until I have a spare few hours before I do that (and emails are my main problem - I have several accounts all used for different organisations I am involved in, and I am a prolific emailer! Unfortunately they don't copy to iCloud like everything else does and become a big headache in situations like this as I constantly have to refer back to previous ones (they are mostly with my provider as opposed to gmail etc and their webmail has very limited space so they get deleted on a regular basis from there once captured on my Mac). Any ideas? I know it is possible to create pst files, but I don't find those easy to access afterwards.

Jan 14, 2025 9:02 AM in response to AJB_SC

This might help Import or export mailboxes in Mail on Mac - Apple Support. I would practice by creating test mailboxes, populated with copies of mails and make sure the export and import works. Once you've mastered it, you will of course need to manually copy the exported mailboxes for later recovery.


If you use another app for mail, it should have similar functions. I used to work with psts a while back but since Microsoft literally gives away 1TB of cloud space, I haven't had the need for them anymore.

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How do I stop repeated Google Chrome pop-up on macOS Sonoma?

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