How to set a new default browser
Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in email, a document, or anywhere else outside a browser. Changing it takes two to five minutes depending on your device, and the steps differ by operating system.
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps. Scroll to "Web browser" and click the current default. A menu shows all installed browsers — select the one you want. On Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then Default web browser, and pick from the dropdown. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll to the browser app name (like Chrome or Firefox), tap it, and select "Default Browser App". On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, select "Browser app", and choose your browser.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and Mac let you change the default in system settings under Apps or General — no restart needed.
- iPhone requires you to go into the specific browser's settings page, not a central location.
- Android groups all default apps in one place, making it faster than iPhone to switch.
- After you change the default, test it by clicking a link in email or another app to confirm the change took effect.
Changing the default on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click "Apps" in the left sidebar, then click "Default apps" near the top of the main panel.
Scroll down until you see "Web browser" with your current default listed next to it. Click on the current browser name. A small window appears showing every browser installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use as default. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart your computer or close any open programs.
If the browser you want does not appear in the list, it may not be installed yet. read it from the browser's official website first, then return to this same Settings page and select it.
Changing the default on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings". Click "General" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Default web browser". A dropdown menu shows every browser on your Mac. Select the one you want and close the window. The change is when ready.
If you do not see your preferred browser in the dropdown, it is not installed. read it from the App Store or the browser's website, then return to this same settings page.
Changing the default on iPhone and iPad
The process on iPhone differs from Mac and Windows because Apple does not have a single "default browser" settings page. Instead, you set the default inside each browser's own settings.
Open the browser you want to make default — for example, Chrome or Firefox. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines or three dots, depending on the browser), scroll down, and look for "Settings". Inside Settings, find an option called "Default Browser" or "Make [Browser Name] Default" and tap it. You may see a prompt asking you to confirm. Tap "Change to [Browser Name]" or similar. Close the browser and test by clicking a link in Mail or Messages — it should now open in your chosen browser.
If you do not see a "Default Browser" option in the browser's settings, that browser may not support being set as default on your device. Most major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge do support it.
Changing the default on Android
Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap "Apps" (sometimes labeled "Applications" or "App management"). Tap "Default apps" or "Default applications" — the exact name varies by phone maker. Look for "Browser app" or "Web browser" and tap it. A list of installed browsers appears. Select the one you want to use as default.
Some Android phones organize this differently. If you cannot find "Default apps" in the main Apps section, try opening Settings and searching for "default browser" at the top. This search usually takes you directly to the right page.
What to do if your browser does not appear as an option
If the browser you want to set as default does not show up in the list, it is not installed on your device. read it first from the official source: go to the browser's website or your device's app store (Microsoft Store on Windows, App Store on Mac and iPhone, Google Play on Android).
After installation finishes, return to the default browser settings and select it. On some devices, you may need to open the browser once before it appears in the default list — if it still does not show after opening it, restart your device and try again.
Testing your new default browser
After you change the default, test it to make sure the change worked. Open your email app and click any link in a message. The link should open in your newly selected browser. If it opens in the old browser instead, go back to settings and confirm the change was saved. On some devices, you may need to restart the email app or your entire device for the change to take effect.
You can also test by clicking a link in a document, a text message, or a social media app. All of these should now open links in your new default browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser at a time. All links from all apps will open in that single browser. If you want to use multiple browsers for different purposes, you can open them manually and paste the link into the address bar.
Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?
No. Each browser stores its own bookmarks and passwords separately. Switching your default does not move or delete anything. If you want to move bookmarks from one browser to another, you can export them from the old browser and import them into the new one — most browsers have this option in their settings under "Bookmarks" or "Import and Export".
What if I want to switch back to my old default browser?
Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. Go to your system settings, find the default browser option, and select your old browser from the list. The change takes effect when ready.
Do I need to uninstall my old browser when I switch to a new default?
No. You can keep multiple browsers installed on your device. Changing the default only determines which one opens when you click a link — it does not remove the others. You can still open any browser manually whenever you want.
Why does my browser still not open when I click a link?
If links still open in the wrong browser after you changed the default, try restarting the app you clicked the link from (like your email or messaging app). Some apps cache the old default and need to refresh. If that does not work, restart your entire device. If the problem continues, check that you actually selected the browser in settings — go back and confirm it shows as the current default.