Setting Safari as your default browser

To make Safari your default browser on a Mac, open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then look for the "Default web browser" dropdown near the bottom of the window. Click the dropdown and select Safari from the list. Once you do this, any link you click in Mail, Messages, Notes, or other apps will open in Safari instead of whatever browser was set before.

On an iPhone or iPad, the process is similar but lives in a different place. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap "Default Browser App" and select Safari from the list. The change takes effect when ready — the next link you tap will open in Safari.

After you change the default, test it by clicking a link in an email or text message. It should open in Safari. If it opens in a different browser, go back and check that Safari was actually selected in the dropdown — sometimes the change does not stick on the first try.

Key Takeaways

  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, find "Default web browser," and select Safari from the dropdown.
  • On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Safari, tap "Default Browser App," and choose Safari.
  • The change takes effect when ready, but you should test it by clicking a link in Mail or Messages to confirm.
  • If the change does not stick, go back to the same menu and select Safari again — sometimes it requires a second attempt.
  • Changing your default browser does not delete or uninstall other browsers; it only changes which one opens when you click a link.

Why Safari might not open links even after you change the default

Sometimes you change the default to Safari but links still open in Chrome, Firefox, or another browser. This usually happens because the other browser is set to "Always Open" for a specific type of link, and that setting overrides the system default. To fix this, open the browser that keeps stealing your links, look for Preferences or Settings, find the section about default browser or link handling, and turn off any "Always Open" or "Always Use This Browser" toggle.

On Mac, you can also check System Settings > General > Default web browser one more time to make sure Safari is actually selected. Close System Settings completely and reopen it — sometimes the display does not refresh and shows the old choice even though Safari is now the default.

Changing the default browser on a work or shared Mac

If you share a Mac with other people, each person can have their own default browser. When you log in with your own user account and change the default to Safari in System Settings, that change only affects your account. When someone else logs in, their default browser setting stays the same.

If you are on a work Mac managed by your company's IT department, you may not be able to change the default browser. Some organizations lock this setting to enforce a specific browser for security or compatibility reasons. If Safari does not appear in the dropdown or the dropdown is grayed out, contact your IT support team — they can tell you whether the setting is locked and why.

What happens to your other browsers when you change the default

Changing Safari to your default browser does not remove, disable, or uninstall Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser on your Mac or iPhone. All of them stay on your device and work exactly as before. You can still open them manually and use them whenever you want — changing the default only affects which browser opens automatically when you click a link in another app.

If you decide later that you want a different browser as your default, you can change it back the same way: System Settings > General > Default web browser on Mac, or Settings > Safari > Default Browser App on iPhone.

Links that might not respect your default browser setting

A small number of links are set up to open in a specific browser no matter what your default is. This happens when a website or app uses code that forces a particular browser to open. For example, some banking apps or corporate portals may force themselves to open in Safari for security reasons, even if you set a different default. You cannot override this — it is built into how the link was created.

If you notice that certain links always open in Safari even though you set a different default, that is why. The website or app owner decided that Safari was the only safe option for that particular link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or passwords in other browsers?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history in Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser stay exactly where they are. Changing the default browser only changes which app opens when you click a link — it does not touch any of your data in other browsers.

Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?

No. macOS and iOS only let you set one default browser for all links. You cannot make Safari the default for some links and Chrome the default for others. You can only pick one browser as the system default.

What if Safari does not appear in the default browser dropdown?

Safari should always appear in the dropdown on any Mac or iPhone. If it does not, try restarting your device and opening System Settings or Settings again. If Safari still does not appear, make sure Safari is actually installed — on a Mac, check the Applications folder to confirm Safari is there.

Does changing the default browser on my Mac also change it on my iPhone?

No. Your Mac and iPhone have separate settings. If you want Safari as the default on both, you need to change the setting on each device separately. Changing it on your Mac does not automatically change your iPhone, and vice versa.

Can I undo a default browser change?

Yes. Go back to the same menu where you changed it — System Settings > General > Default web browser on Mac, or Settings > Safari > Default Browser App on iPhone — and select a different browser. The change takes effect when ready.