What a browser is and why you need one
A web browser is the program you use to look at websites. It takes the address you type in (like google.com or housing.gov) and fetches the page from the internet so you can read it. Without a browser, you cannot visit websites at all — it is the tool that makes the web work on your device.
Your computer or phone almost certainly came with at least one browser already installed. You do not need to buy anything or read anything to get your free guide. You just need to know where to find it and how to open it.
Key Takeaways
- Every computer and phone comes with a browser already installed — usually Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox.
- On Windows, look for the blue-and-green circle (Chrome), the compass (Edge), or the orange fox (Firefox) on your desktop or taskbar.
- On Mac, look for the blue compass (Safari) in your dock at the bottom of the screen.
- On iPhone or Android, the browser icon is usually on your home screen or in your app drawer.
- Once open, type a web address into the search bar at the top and press Enter to visit a website.
Opening a browser on Windows
Look at your desktop (the main screen you see when you turn on your computer). You should see several small pictures called icons. One of them is your browser. The most common ones are Microsoft Edge (a blue-and-green circle), Google Chrome (a blue, red, yellow, and green circle), or Firefox (an orange fox wrapped around a blue globe).
Double-click on whichever icon you see. The browser will open in a few seconds. If you do not see any of these on your desktop, look at the bottom left of your screen for a taskbar — a row of icons along the very bottom. Your browser icon may be there instead. Click it once to open it.
If you still cannot find it, click the Windows logo (four squares) at the bottom left, type the name of the browser you want (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox), and click the result when it appears.
Opening a browser on Mac
Look at the bottom of your screen for the dock — a row of icons that usually sits along the bottom edge. Safari (a blue compass) is the browser that comes with Mac computers and is almost always in the dock. Click it once to open it.
If you do not see Safari, click the Finder icon (a blue and white face) in the dock, then click Applications in the left sidebar. Look for Safari in the list and double-click it. If you have Chrome or Firefox installed instead, you will find them in the Applications folder as well.
Opening a browser on iPhone or iPad
Look at your home screen (the main page of apps you see when you unlock your phone). Safari is the browser that comes with iPhones and iPads. It looks like a blue compass. Tap it once to open it.
If you cannot find Safari on your home screen, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the search box, type Safari, and tap it when it appears in the results.
Opening a browser on Android
Look at your home screen for Chrome (a blue, red, yellow, and green circle) or another browser icon. Tap it once to open it. Android phones usually come with Chrome pre-installed.
If you do not see a browser icon on your home screen, look for an app drawer — usually a grid of dots or a folder icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, then scroll through your apps until you find Chrome, Firefox, or another browser. Tap it to open it.
What to do once the browser is open
When your browser opens, you will see a search bar at the top of the window. This is where you type the address of the website you want to visit. Type the web address (called a URL) — for example, google.com or housing.gov — and press Enter on your keyboard (or tap the search button on your phone).
The browser will load the website and display it on your screen. You can now read the page, click on links, and move around the website. To go to a different website, click on the search bar again, clear what is there, type a new address, and press Enter.
Browsers you might already have
Windows computers usually come with Microsoft Edge. Macs come with Safari. iPhones and iPads come with Safari. Android phones come with Chrome. These are all full-featured browsers that work the same way — you type an address, press Enter, and the website loads.
You may also have Firefox or Chrome installed if someone set up your computer for you or if you downloaded them yourself. All of these browsers do the same job. Pick whichever one you see first, and you will be able to visit any website you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a browser and the internet?
The internet is the network that connects computers together. A browser is the program you use to look at websites on that network. Think of the internet as the roads and the browser as the car you drive on them.
Do I need to read a browser?
No. Every computer and phone comes with at least one browser already installed and ready to use. You can read a different one if you want to, but you do not have to.
Why do I see different browsers on different devices?
Different companies make different devices, and each one includes the browser made by that company. Apple puts Safari on iPhones and Macs. Microsoft puts Edge on Windows computers. Google puts Chrome on Android phones. They all work the same way.
Can I use more than one browser?
Yes. You can have Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all installed on the same computer and switch between them whenever you want. Some people use different browsers for different tasks, though most people just pick one and stick with it.
What if I accidentally close my browser?
Just open it again the same way you did the first time — click the icon on your desktop, in the dock, or in your app drawer. Nothing is broken. You can close and reopen your browser as many times as you want.