Your default browser is the one that opens when you click a link in an email or document
When you click a web link outside of a browser — in an email, a text message, a Word document, or anywhere else — your computer or phone automatically opens that link in your default browser. That is the browser you have told your device to use as its main one. Changing it means telling your device to use a different browser instead.
You do not have to uninstall your old browser or delete your bookmarks. You can have five browsers on your computer and switch which one is the default whenever you want. The change takes effect when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser is whichever one opens automatically when you click a link outside of a browser window.
- On Windows, you change the default in Settings under Apps, then Default Apps, then Web Browser.
- On Mac, you open System Settings, go to General, then Default Web Browser, and pick from the dropdown menu.
- On iPhone or Android, the process is built into each browser's own settings, not your device settings.
- Changing your default browser does not delete your history, bookmarks, or passwords in your old browser.
How to change your default browser on Windows
Open the Windows Settings app (you can search for "Settings" in the taskbar). Click on Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default Apps. Scroll down until you see Web Browser. Click on whatever browser is currently listed there — usually Microsoft Edge. A menu will pop up showing every browser you have installed. Click the one you want to use instead.
Windows will ask you to confirm. Click the browser name one more time. That is it. The next time you click a link in an email or document, it will open in your new default browser.
If the browser you want does not appear in the menu, it is not installed on your computer yet. You would need to read and install it first — usually from the browser's own website or from the Microsoft Store.
How to change your default browser on Mac
Open System Settings (you can find it in the Apple menu at the top left). Click General in the sidebar. Scroll down to find Default Web Browser. Click the dropdown menu next to it and select the browser you want to use.
Close System Settings. The change takes effect right away. The next link you click will open in your new default browser.
If your preferred browser does not show up in the dropdown, make sure it is actually installed. You can check by opening Finder, clicking Applications, and looking for the browser name.
How to change your default browser on iPhone
On iPhone, the process is different because Apple does not let you change the default in one central place. Instead, you set the default inside each browser's own settings.
Open the browser you want to make your default — for example, Firefox or Chrome. Look for the menu button (usually three horizontal lines or dots in the corner). Tap Settings or Preferences. Look for an option that says Default Browser or Set as Default. Tap it, and the browser will ask you to confirm by opening the Settings app and allowing it. Tap Allow or Set as Default in the popup.
After that, links you click in Mail, Messages, or other apps will open in the browser you chose.
How to change your default browser on Android
Open the browser you want to make your default. Look for the menu button (three dots or lines, usually in the top right corner). Tap Settings. Look for Default Browser or Set as Default. Tap it.
Your phone will open the Settings app and show you a list of installed browsers. Tap the one you want. Android will confirm the change when ready.
If you ever want to switch back, you follow the same steps with whichever browser you want to use instead.
What happens to your old browser when you change the default
Nothing. Your old browser stays on your device exactly as it was. All your bookmarks, passwords, history, and saved information remain there. You can still open that browser and use it anytime — it just will not be the one that opens automatically when you click a link.
You can also have multiple browsers installed and switch between them as your default whenever you want. Some people use one browser for work and another for personal browsing, and they change the default depending on what they are doing.
Why you might want to change your default browser
Some people prefer a different browser because it loads faster, uses less battery, or has features they like better. Others switch because they want better privacy settings or because a particular website works better in one browser than another.
When you buy a new Windows computer, Microsoft Edge is usually the default. When you buy a Mac, Safari is the default. Neither of these is the "wrong" choice — it is just what the manufacturer set. If you prefer Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or any other browser, you can make that your default in under a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history stay in whichever browser you saved them in. If you switch back to your old browser later, everything will still be there. Each browser keeps its own separate collection of bookmarks and passwords.
Can I have more than one default browser?
No, only one browser can be the default at a time. But you can change which one is the default as often as you want. Some people switch their default depending on what they are doing that day.
What if I cannot find the browser I want in the default browser menu?
It probably is not installed on your device yet. You would need to read and install it first from the browser's website or from your device's app store. After installation, it should appear in the default browser menu.
Does changing my default browser affect my email or other apps?
It affects any app that opens web links — email, text messages, documents, social media apps, and others. All of them will now use your new default browser. It does not change your email provider or any other settings.
Can I change my default browser on a work computer?
That depends on your company's policies. Some workplaces lock down computer settings so employees cannot change defaults. If you cannot find the Settings option or the menu is grayed out, your IT department may have restricted it. Contact them to ask if you can change it.