What it means to set Gmail as your default email program
Setting Gmail as your default email program means that when you click an email link on a website or in a document, Gmail will open instead of whatever email program your computer currently uses. This is different from making a Gmail account — you need the account first, then tell your computer to use it as the default.
The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook. Each operating system has its own settings menu where you choose which program handles email links. Gmail itself does not have a "make me default" button; the choice lives in your computer's settings, not in Gmail.
If you do not yet have a Gmail account, you will need to create one before you can set it as default. The process takes about five minutes and requires only a name, a password, and a phone number or recovery email address.
Key Takeaways
- Setting Gmail as default means email links on websites will open Gmail instead of your current email program.
- You must create a Gmail account before you can set it as default.
- The default setting lives in your computer's settings, not in Gmail itself — Windows, Mac, and Chromebook each have different menus.
- Once set, you can change it back anytime by returning to the same settings menu.
Creating a Gmail account if you do not have one yet
Go to gmail.com and click the blue "Create account" button in the upper right. You will see a form asking for your first name, last name, and desired email address. The email address is what people will use to reach you — choose something you are comfortable sharing, because you cannot change it later.
Next, create a password at least eight characters long. Google will suggest one, but you can type your own. Write it down somewhere safe. Then enter your phone number or an existing email address as a recovery method — this is how you get back in if you forget your password. You do not need to add a phone number if you have another email address to use instead.
Google will ask for your birth date and gender, then show you its privacy policy. Read it or skip it — either way, click "I agree" to continue. Your account is now active. You can sign in at gmail.com using your new email address and password.
Setting Gmail as default on Windows 10 or Windows 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. On the left side, click Apps. Then click Default apps.
Scroll down until you see Email. Click on whatever program is listed there — it might say "Mail" or the name of another email program. A menu will pop up showing available email programs. Look for Gmail in the list and click it. Windows will now send all email links to Gmail.
If Gmail does not appear in the list, it means your browser has not registered it as an option yet. Close the Settings window, open Gmail in your web browser, and try again. Sometimes you need to refresh the list by closing Settings and reopening it.
Setting Gmail as default on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Look for General in the sidebar and click it. Then scroll down and click Default web browser or Default email client.
A dropdown menu will appear. Click it and select Gmail from the list. If Gmail does not appear, open Gmail in your web browser first, then return to System Settings and try again.
On some older Macs, you may need to use Mail app settings instead. Open the Mail app, click Mail in the menu bar at the top, then Settings, then General. Look for "Default email reader" and choose Gmail from the dropdown.
Setting Gmail as default on a Chromebook
Chromebooks are designed to work with Gmail automatically. When you sign into your Chromebook with a Google account, Gmail is already your default email program. If you use a different email service and want to switch back to Gmail, sign out of your Chromebook and sign back in with your Google account instead.
If you want to change which Google account is default, click the time in the bottom right corner, then click your profile picture. Select Settings. On the left, click Users. You can add a new user account or switch to a different one. Whichever account you are signed in with will be the default for email links.
What happens after you set Gmail as default
Once Gmail is set as default, clicking an email link — such as a "Contact us" link on a website — will open Gmail in a new window or tab. You will see a blank email addressed to whoever the link was set up for. You can then type your message and send it.
If you change your mind later, you can always change the default back. Return to the same settings menu where you made the change and select a different email program. There is no penalty for switching back and forth.
Troubleshooting when Gmail does not appear in the default list
If you set up a Gmail account but it does not show up when you try to set it as default, the most common reason is that your browser has not registered Gmail as an email option yet. Open Gmail in your web browser, sign in, and wait a few seconds. Then close the browser completely and return to your settings menu.
If it still does not appear, try opening Gmail in a different browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari — and signing in there. Then check your settings again. Sometimes the browser you use to access Gmail affects whether the system recognizes it as an option.
On Windows, you can also try restarting your computer after creating the Gmail account. This forces Windows to refresh its list of available email programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use Gmail on my phone too?
No. Setting Gmail as default on your computer only affects that computer. Your phone has its own default email settings, which you can change separately in your phone's settings menu. You can use Gmail on your computer and a different email app on your phone if you want.
What if I want to use Gmail but keep my old email address?
You can set up Gmail to receive and send from your old email address. In Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right, then Settings, then Accounts and Import. Under "Send mail as", click "Add another email address" and follow the steps. This lets you use Gmail's interface while keeping your original email.
Can I change the default back to my old email program?
Yes. Go back to the same settings menu where you changed it to Gmail, find the Email or Default apps section, and select your old program from the list. The change takes effect when ready.
Will my old emails move to Gmail if I set it as default?
No. Setting Gmail as default only affects new email links going forward. Your old emails stay in whatever program they were in. If you want to see them in Gmail, you can forward them or import them, but that is a separate step.
What if I do not remember my Gmail password?
Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your Gmail address. Google will ask you to verify your identity using the phone number or recovery email you provided when you created the account. Follow the steps to reset your password.