What changing your default browser means
Your default browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer. Right now, one browser is set as the default — usually the one that came with your device. Changing it means telling your operating system to use a different browser instead.
This is a one-time change that affects your whole device. Once you set a new default, every link you click will open in that browser unless you manually choose a different one. You can change it back anytime, and you can still use other browsers whenever you want — this just controls what happens by default.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser is the one that opens automatically when you click links, and you can change it to any browser installed on your device.
- On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select your browser from the list.
- On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default web browser and pick from the dropdown menu.
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Browser Name] and choose it as your default.
- Android users can go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select their choice.
Changing your default browser on Windows
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps near the top of the main panel.
Scroll down until you see Web browser listed. Click on it, and a window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use as your default. Windows will confirm the change when ready, and you are done — the next link you click will open in that browser.
If you do not see your browser in the list, it may not be installed yet. You will need to read and install it first. Once it is installed, come back to this same Settings screen and it will appear in the list.
Changing your default browser on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General, then scroll down and click Default web browser.
A dropdown menu will appear showing every browser you have installed. Click the one you want to use as your default. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart your computer or confirm anything else.
If your browser does not appear in the dropdown, make sure it is fully installed. Some browsers need to be moved to your Applications folder before they will show up in this list. Open Finder, go to Applications, and check that your browser is there.
Changing your default browser on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and scroll down until you find the name of the browser you want to set as default — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Tap on it to open that browser's settings.
Look for an option called Default Browser App or Default Web Browser and tap it. You will see a list of browsers installed on your device. Tap the one you want to use as your default. The change is when ready.
If you do not see a default browser option in your browser's settings, the browser may not support being set as default on your device. Not all browsers on iOS and iPad allow this, though the major ones like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do.
Changing your default browser on Android
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Apps. Tap it, then look for Default apps (the exact name varies slightly by device and Android version). Tap Browser app or Web browser.
A list of installed browsers will appear. Tap the one you want to set as your default. The change takes effect right away. If you change your mind later, come back to this same screen and pick a different browser.
Some Android devices organize this differently. If you cannot find Default apps, try going to Settings > Apps and Notifications > Default apps instead. The location varies by manufacturer, but the process is the same.
What to do if your browser is not in the list
If the browser you want to use does not appear in the default browser list, it is not installed on your device yet. You will need to read and install it first. Go to your device's app store or the browser's official website, read it, and complete the installation.
After installation is complete, go back to your default browser settings and your new browser should now appear in the list. If it still does not show up after installation, restart your device and try again — sometimes the system needs a restart to recognize newly installed programs.
Changing back to your original default browser
If you want to switch back to your original browser or try a different one, follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. There is no limit to how many times you can change your default browser, and changing it does not uninstall any of your other browsers.
You can also change your default browser on a per-link basis without changing the system default. Right-click any link (or long-press on mobile) and select "Open with" or "Open in," then choose a specific browser. This opens just that one link in a different browser while keeping your default setting unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history?
No. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay in each browser where you created them. Changing which browser is default does not affect any of your data. 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.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No, your operating system only allows one default browser for all links. However, you can right-click any link and choose to open it in a specific browser without changing your system default. This is useful if you want one browser as your default but occasionally use another for certain sites.
What happens to links in emails or documents after I change my default?
They will open in your new default browser. This applies to links in email, Word documents, PDFs, text messages, and anywhere else on your device. If you want a specific link to open in a different browser, right-click it and select "Open with" to choose manually.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing the default browser?
No. The change takes effect when ready on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android. You do not need to restart your device or close and reopen your browser.
Can I have multiple default browsers?
No, your device can only have one default browser at a time. However, you can install as many browsers as you want and switch between them. You can change your default browser anytime, and you can always open links in a different browser by right-clicking and selecting "Open with."