Switching browsers means changing which program opens when you click a link

Changing browsers is straightforward: you install the new browser, set it as your default, and move your bookmarks and passwords over if you want them. The actual switch takes about ten minutes. Most people keep their old browser installed anyway — you might use Chrome for work and Firefox for personal browsing, or Safari on your phone and Edge on your computer. Nothing breaks when you change.

The main decision is whether to move your saved information (bookmarks, passwords, browsing history) to the new browser, or start fresh. If you have hundreds of bookmarks or use saved passwords, moving them saves time. If you want a clean start, you can leave them behind. Either way, your old browser stays on your computer unless you uninstall it.

Key Takeaways

  • read the new browser from its official website, install it like any other program, and it will appear in your applications menu.
  • Set the new browser as your default by going into your computer's settings so links open in it automatically.
  • Most browsers have a built-in import tool that moves bookmarks and passwords from your old browser in one step.
  • Your old browser remains on your computer after you switch unless you uninstall it, so you can use both if needed.
  • Passwords stored in your old browser may not move automatically — check the import options or save them manually first.

read and install the new browser

Go to the official website for the browser you want. For Chrome, that is google.com/chrome. For Firefox, mozilla.org/firefox. For Safari, it comes built into Mac computers. For Edge, microsoft.com/edge. For Opera, opera.com. Do not read from a search result that looks like an ad — scroll past those and find the real website.

Click the read button. The file will land in your Downloads folder. Open it and follow the installer. On Windows, you will see a setup window that asks where to put the program — the default location is fine. On Mac, you usually drag the process icon into your Applications folder. The whole process takes two to three minutes.

Once installed, open the new browser. It will ask if you want to import bookmarks and settings from your old browser. You can do this now or skip it and do it later — either way works.

Set the new browser as your default

Your default browser is the one that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer. If you do not set a default, your computer will keep using the old one.

On Windows: Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"). Go to Apps, then Default Apps. Scroll down to Web Browser and click it. Select the new browser from the list. That is all — links will now open in it by default.

On Mac: Open System Settings. Go to General, then Default Web Browser. Click the dropdown and select the new browser. Close the window and you are done.

Some browsers also offer to set themselves as default when you first open them. If you see that prompt, you can click yes and skip the settings steps above.

Move bookmarks and passwords from your old browser

Most browsers have an import tool built in. Open your new browser and look for a menu button (usually three horizontal lines in the top right corner). Look for an option called "Import" or "Import Settings" or "Import Bookmarks and Settings". Click it.

The browser will show you a list of what it can import: bookmarks, passwords, history, autofill data. Select what you want to move. Choose your old browser from the dropdown menu. Click Import and wait — this usually takes less than a minute.

If the import tool does not find your old browser, or if you want to be more careful about what moves, you can export from the old browser first. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, go to the menu, find Bookmarks or Settings, and look for an Export or Backup option. Save the file, then import it into the new browser using the same Import tool.

Passwords are trickier. Most browsers will import saved passwords automatically, but some will not. After importing, check your new browser's password manager (usually in Settings under Passwords or Autofill) to see if they arrived. If not, you may need to save them manually or use a password manager that works across browsers, like Bitwarden or 1Password.

What happens to your old browser

Your old browser stays on your computer. It does not uninstall itself, and nothing breaks. You can use both browsers at the same time if you want — many people do. Some use one for work and another for personal browsing, or one on their computer and a different one on their phone.

If you decide later that you want to remove the old browser, you can uninstall it like any other program. On Windows, go to Settings, Apps, Apps and Features, find the browser, and click Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications, find the browser, and drag it to the Trash. Uninstalling does not affect your new browser or any files on your computer.

Moving between devices

If you use multiple computers or a phone and a computer, you can set the same browser as default on all of them. Install the browser on each device, then sign in with the same account. Most browsers will sync your bookmarks, passwords, and history across devices automatically — you do not have to import anything.

On Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, look for a Sign In button in the menu. Enter your email address and password. The browser will ask what you want to sync. Select Bookmarks, Passwords, and History, and the browser will keep them in step across all your devices.

Troubleshooting common problems

If links still open in your old browser after you set a new default, restart your computer. Windows and Mac sometimes need a restart to recognize the change. After restarting, test by clicking a link in an email or document.

If bookmarks did not import, check that you selected the right source browser in the import tool. Some browsers store bookmarks in different places depending on how old they are. If the import tool still does not find them, try exporting from the old browser first and then importing the file into the new one.

If you cannot find the read button on the browser's website, make sure you are on the official site. Scammers sometimes create fake read pages that look real. Check the web address — it should match the browser's name (google.com for Chrome, mozilla.org for Firefox, microsoft.com for Edge).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to uninstall my old browser before switching?

No. You can keep both browsers installed and use whichever one you prefer for each task. Many people use multiple browsers at the same time. You only need to uninstall the old one if you want to free up space or reduce clutter.

Will my passwords move to the new browser automatically?

Most of the time, yes — the import tool will move saved passwords along with bookmarks. However, some browsers handle this differently. After importing, check your new browser's password settings to confirm they arrived. If not, you may need to save them manually or use a password manager.

What if I change my mind and want to go back to my old browser?

You can switch back anytime. Your old browser is still on your computer. Just set it as your default again in your computer's settings. Your bookmarks and passwords will still be there because switching browsers does not delete them.

Can I use the same browser on my phone and computer?

Yes. Install the browser on both devices and sign in with the same account. The browser will sync your bookmarks, passwords, and history across devices automatically, so you have the same setup everywhere.

Why would I want to use more than one browser?

Some websites work better in certain browsers. Some people use one browser for work and another for personal browsing to keep them separate. Others use different browsers on different devices. There is no rule — use whatever works best for you.