What "default email" means and why it matters

Your default email app is the one that opens automatically when you click an email link on a website, in a document, or in another app. If you use Gmail but your computer or phone is set to open Outlook or Apple Mail instead, you have to copy the email address, switch apps, and paste it in manually. Setting Gmail as default skips those steps.

The process is different depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. Each operating system stores this setting in a different place, and some require you to change it in multiple locations if you use the same device for work and personal email.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, you change the default email app in Settings under Apps, then Default Apps, then Email.
  • On Mac, you set the default in Gmail itself by opening Preferences and choosing Gmail as the default mail client.
  • On iPhone, you change the default email app in Settings under Mail, then Default Mail App.
  • On Android, you can set Gmail as default through Settings or by opening a mailto link and selecting "Always" when prompted.
  • If you have multiple email accounts, setting one as default does not prevent you from using the others — it only controls which app opens first.

Setting Gmail as default on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Windows Settings app (press the Windows key and type "Settings"). Click Apps in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Default apps. Scroll through the list until you see Email. Click on whatever app is currently listed there — it might say "Mail" or "Outlook" or another name.

A window will pop up showing all the email apps installed on your computer. Click Gmail (you may need to scroll to find it). Windows will confirm the change when ready. The next time you click an email link, Gmail will open instead of the previous default.

If Gmail does not appear in the list, you may need to open Gmail in your web browser first and then repeat these steps. Windows sometimes requires you to have used an app before it shows up as an option.

Setting Gmail as default on Mac

Open Gmail in your web browser. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select See all settings. Go to the General tab. Scroll down until you see Default client and click the button that says Make Gmail your default mail client.

Your Mac will ask you to confirm. Click Use Gmail. From that point on, clicking an email link will open Gmail in your browser rather than the Mail app.

If you use the Gmail app from the Mac App Store instead of the web version, the process is slightly different: open the Gmail app, click Gmail in the menu bar at the top, then Preferences, then look for the default mail client option there.

Setting Gmail as default on iPhone

Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Mail. Tap Default Mail App. You will see a list of email apps installed on your phone. Tap Gmail. The setting takes effect when ready.

This only works on iPhone running iOS 14.5 or later. If you have an older iPhone, you cannot change the default email app — Apple Mail will always be the default. You can still use Gmail; you just have to open the app manually when you want to send an email from a link.

Setting Gmail as default on Android

Open the Settings app. Tap Apps (or Applications, depending on your phone model). Tap Default apps or Default applications. Look for Email or Email app and tap it. Select Gmail from the list.

Alternatively, you can open any email link on your phone and when Android asks which app to use, select Gmail and then tap Always. This sets Gmail as the default for that action without going into Settings.

If you have multiple Gmail accounts on your phone, setting Gmail as default will open whichever account you used most recently. You can switch between accounts once Gmail opens.

What happens if you change your mind

Changing the default back is the same process: go to the same settings location and select a different email app. Your old default app will not be deleted or affected — it will straightforward stop opening automatically when you click email links.

You can also override the default on a single occasion. If you click an email link and Gmail opens but you want to use a different app that time, most operating systems will show you a menu asking which app you want to use. Select the other app and you can choose whether to use it just this once or make it the new default.

Why Gmail might not appear as an option

If you do not see Gmail in the list of email apps, it usually means you have not installed it yet or your operating system does not recognize it. On Windows, make sure you have opened Gmail in your browser at least once. On Mac, check that you have the Gmail app installed from the App Store or that you have used Gmail in your browser. On iPhone and Android, read the Gmail app from the App Store or Google Play Store if you have not already.

Some older devices or operating systems do not support changing the default email app at all. If you cannot find the setting after checking these steps, your device may not have that feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I set Gmail as default, will my other email accounts stop working?

No. Setting Gmail as default only controls which app opens when you click an email link. You can still use Outlook, Apple Mail, or any other email app whenever you want — they just will not open automatically anymore.

Can I set different default email apps for work and personal email?

Most operating systems only allow one default email app at a time. If you need to use two different apps regularly, you can change the default back and forth, or you can add both email accounts to Gmail and use Gmail for everything.

What if I use Gmail in my browser instead of the app?

You can still set Gmail as the default. On Windows and Mac, the browser version counts as an app for this purpose. On iPhone and Android, you need the Gmail app installed to set it as default, but you can use the browser version anytime you want.

Does setting a default email app cost anything?

No. Changing your default email app is a free setting on every device. Gmail itself is free to use.