Have you ever wanted to look closely at the planet and see famous places with just a click of the mouse? With Google Earth you can navigate on a virtual globe built thanks to images taken by satellites. It only takes a few minutes to install Google Earth; you can also install it on your browser, or download the application for your smartphone or tablet.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Install Google Earth on Computer
Step 1. Check that your computer has the necessary requirements
To work properly, Google Earth requires a medium-powerful computer, it would be better to have a rather powerful one to be sure. That said, consider that modern computers should be able to run the program without any problems. Below are the requirements to have to have the best performance:
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Windows:
- Operating System: Windows 7 or 8
- CPU: Pentium 4 2.4GHz +
- RAM: 1GB +
- Free Hard Disk Space: 2GB +
- Connection Speed: 768 Kbps
- Graphics Card: DX9 256MB +
- Display: 1280x1024 +, 32-bit
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Mac OS X:
- Operating System: OS X 10.6.8+
- CPU: Dual Core Intel
- RAM: 1GB +
- Free Hard Disk Space: 2GB +
- Connection Speed: 768 Kbps
- Graphics Card: DX9 256MB +
- Display: 1280x1024 +, Millions of Colors
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Linux:
- Kernel 2.6+
- glibc 2.3.5 w / NPTL or newer
- x.org R6.7 or newer
- RAM: 1GB +
- Free Hard Disk Space: 2GB +
- Connection Speed: 768 Kbps
- Graphics Card: DX9 256MB +
- Display: 1280x1024 +, 32-bit
- Google Earth is officially compatible with Ubuntu
Install Google Earth Step 2 Step 2. Visit the Google Earth site (https://www.google.it/earth/)
You can download Google Earth for free from the Google site. When you visit the Google Earth site, the message "Geographic information at your fingertips" will appear, with random images taken from Google Maps underneath.
Install Google Earth Step 3 Step 3. Click on the "Explore" link
In the google.com version, in the center of the page, there will be two options: Google Earth and Google Earth Pro. The standard Google Earth is free for everyone. The Pro version costs money, but contains more tools for salespeople and business planers. In the google.it/earth version click on "Explore"
Install Google Earth Step 4 Step 4. Click on the desktop option
This button redirects you to the "Google Earth for Desktop" page. Know that this version also works on laptops; the word "Desktop" refers to applications to be installed on the computer, and not to be used on the browser.
Install Google Earth Step 5 Step 5. Click on the "Download Google Earth" button
You can find it in the lower right corner in the middle of the image collage of the Google Earth for desktop page.
Install Google Earth Step 6 Step 6. Read and accept the Terms of Service
Before you can download, you will need to read the regulations. You will download the program only after accepting the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Install Google Earth Step 7 Step 7. Click on "Agree and Download"
The installer will be downloaded to your computer. Depending on your browser settings, you may need to give the ok to start downloading the program.
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The most suitable installer for your operating system will be downloaded automatically.
Install Google Earth Step 7Bullet1
Install Google Earth Step 8 Step 8. Install Google Earth
Once the installation file is downloaded, install the program:
- Windows - Double click on the downloaded installation file. The program will connect to the Google Earth server and download some necessary files. After a few seconds, Google Earth installs itself and starts automatically. You don't have to configure anything during the installation process.
- Mac - Double click on the.dmg file you just downloaded on your computer. This will open a new folder containing the Google Earth application. Drag the icon to the Applications folder. Now you can start Google Earth by clicking on the icon in the Applications folder.
- Ubuntu - Linux - Open Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T), type sudo apt-get install lsb-core, and press ↵ Enter. After the lsb-core package has finished installing (or if it was already installed), double click on the.deb file you downloaded from the Google Earth site. The program will install itself and you will find it in Applications → Internet.
Install Google Earth Step 9 Step 9. Start using Google Earth
Once installed, you can start using Google Earth. When you open it for the first time, a window will appear with tips and guides for using it. Read them or ignore them, do as you wish.
You can log in with your Google account to view your saved maps and places
Method 2 of 3: Install the Google Earth Plugin on the Browser
Install Google Earth Step 10 Step 1. Make sure you have all the necessary requirements
You can download a browser plugin that allows you to see the Google Earth globe inside web pages, and you can enable the Earth view on Google Maps. Your computer must have some system requirements (see the previous section) and your browser must be one of these versions, or newer:
- Chrome 5.0+
- Internet Explorer 7+
- Firefox 2.0+ (3.0+ OS X)
- Safari 3.1+ (OS X)
Install Google Earth Step 11 Step 2. Go to the Google Earth site
You can download the plugin from the Google site, just like before.
Install Google Earth Step 12 Step 3. Click on the "Google Earth" link
This is if you download the program in English from google.com/earth. In the center of the page, you will find two options: Google Earth and Google Earth Pro. The Google Earth plugin is free for everyone. If you browse from the Italian page, google.it/earth click on "Explore" at the top.
Install Google Earth Step 13 Step 4. Click the Web option
The page with the Google Earh plugin will appear immediately. Google will automatically install the plugin for you. Depending on your browser settings, you may need to confirm this action.
Firefox users cannot install the plugin while Firefox is running. This means that you will need to install the plugin on another browser. The plugin is the same for all browsers
Install Google Earth Step 14 Step 5. Test the plugin
Once the plugin is installed, reload the page you are on (F5). You should see the Google Earth globe loading.
You will see a message under the globe informing you that you have successfully installed the plugin
Method 3 of 3: Install Google Earth on a Mobile Device
Install Google Earth Step 15 Step 1. Open your device store
Google Earth is free and available for both Android and iOS devices. You can use Google Earth on both smartphones and tablets.
You can also find links that redirect you directly to the application within the store by visiting the Google Earth site on your phone, selecting "Mobile Devices" and then clicking the link that best suits your device's characteristics
Install Google Earth Step 16 Step 2. Search for the Google Earth application
Be sure to download the free app put on the store by Google Inc.
Install Google Earth Step 17 Step 3. Install the application
On Android, press the Install button to start downloading the application. On iOS devices, press the Free button and then the Install button that appears later. You may be asked for your account password.
If your rate plan has a certain data ceiling that you must not exceed, it is better to download the application when you are connected with Wi-Fi
Install Google Earth Step 18 Step 4. Open the application
Once installed, the application should appear on the Home Screen or in the Application Grid. Press the application icon to open it, and start using Google Earth. We recommend that you pay attention to the quick tutorial before you start having the planet at your fingertips.
