How to set Google as your default search engine

Your default search engine is the one that runs a search when you type words into your browser's address bar without visiting a website first. Most browsers ship with a different default — Microsoft Edge uses Bing, Safari uses Google but can be changed, Firefox uses a rotating set depending on your region. Changing it to Google takes one to three minutes and works the same way across Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, though the exact menu names differ slightly by device.

The reason to set a default matters if you arrived here from the previous article: if you use Google as your search engine, your searches are tied to your Google account and stored in your Google Search History. If you use a different default search engine, those searches go somewhere else. Changing the default means you control where your everyday searches land, rather than letting your browser decide.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type in the address bar, and it is separate from which search engine you visit by typing google.com.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Privacy and Security, then Search Engine, and pick Google from the list.
  • On Mac, open Safari Preferences, click Search, and select Google from the dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone and Android, the default is usually set in your Google account settings or in the browser app itself, depending on which browser you use.
  • Changing your default search engine does not delete past searches — it only affects new searches going forward.

Setting Google as default on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. In the Settings window, click the search box on the left side and type "search engine". Click "Search engine" when it appears in the results.

You will see a section called "Search engine used in the address bar". Below that, you will see your current default — probably Bing. Click the dropdown menu and look for Google in the list. If Google does not appear, click "Add" and type google.com, then follow the prompts to add it. Once Google is in the list, click it to make it your default. The change takes effect when ready.

Setting Google as default on Mac

Open Safari and click "Safari" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click "Preferences" or "Settings" (the name changed in newer versions). Click the "Search" tab.

You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine". Click it and select "Google" from the list. If Google is not there, you may need to update Safari or check that your Mac is running a recent version of macOS. Close the Preferences window — the change is saved automatically.

Setting Google as default on iPhone

The method depends on which browser you use. If you use Safari, open Settings on your home screen, scroll down and tap "Safari", then tap "Search Engine" and select "Google".

If you use Chrome, open the Chrome app, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner, tap "Settings", tap "Search Engine", and select "Google". If you use a different browser like Firefox or Edge, open that app, look for Settings or Preferences, and find the Search Engine option — the path varies, but the option exists in every major browser.

Setting Google as default on Android

Open your default browser app. Tap the three dots or lines in the corner (usually bottom right or top right depending on the app). Tap "Settings" or "Preferences". Look for "Search engine" or "Search settings".

Tap the current default search engine and select "Google" from the list. The change takes effect when ready. If you use multiple browsers on Android, you will need to change the default in each one separately — changing it in Chrome does not change it in Firefox or Edge.

What happens after you change your default

Once you set Google as your default, any search you type into the address bar goes to Google instead of your previous default. This means those searches will be stored in your Google Search History if you are signed into your Google account, which is the same behavior described in the previous article.

Changing your default does not affect searches you already did — those remain in whatever search engine's history they were stored in. It also does not delete your browsing history or change any other browser settings. You can change your default back at any time by following the same steps and picking a different search engine.

If Google does not appear in your search engine list

On Windows, click "Add" in the Search engine settings and type google.com. On Mac, update Safari to the latest version — older versions may not include Google in the dropdown. On iPhone and Android, make sure you are signed into your Google account and that your device has an internet connection, then try again.

If Google still does not appear after these steps, your device may be in a restricted mode or managed by an organization. If your phone or computer is owned by your employer or school, they may have limited which search engines you can use. Check with your IT department or device administrator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my default search engine delete my old search history?

No. Your old searches remain in whatever search engine stored them. Changing your default only affects new searches going forward. If you want to delete old searches, you need to do that separately in each search engine's history settings.

Can I use Google for some searches and a different search engine for others?

Yes. You can always type google.com directly into your address bar to use Google, even if a different search engine is your default. The default only controls what happens when you type a search into the address bar without visiting a website first.

Will changing my default search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?

No. Your default search engine is separate from your Google account. Changing it does not sign you out, delete anything, or affect Gmail, Drive, or any other Google service.

What if I want to change my default back to something other than Google?

Follow the same steps you used to set Google as default, but select a different search engine from the list instead. You can change your default as many times as you want.