Setting Chrome as your default browser on Windows
On Windows, you set Chrome as your default through Settings. Open the Settings app (search for "Settings" in your taskbar), then go to Apps in the left menu. Click Default apps, scroll down to find Web browser, and click the current default (usually Microsoft Edge). A menu will pop up showing installed browsers — select Google Chrome and it becomes your default when ready.
Once Chrome is set as default, clicking links in emails, documents, or other programs will open them in Chrome instead of Edge or Internet Explorer. You do not need to restart your computer for this to take effect.
If you cannot find the Default apps section, you may have an older version of Windows. In Windows 10, you can also go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and scroll to the bottom, where you will see Set defaults by app — click Chrome there and select it as default for all file types.
Setting Chrome as your default browser on Mac
On Mac, open Chrome and go to the menu in the top left corner. Click Chrome, then Settings. In the left sidebar, click Default browser. You will see a button that says Make default — click it. Your Mac will ask you to confirm in System Settings, and Chrome becomes your default.
If you do not see the Make default button, Chrome is already your default browser. You can verify this by going to System Settings > General > Default apps and checking that Chrome is listed under Default web browser.
Setting Chrome as your default browser on Android
On Android phones and tablets, open Settings and search for "default apps" or "default browser." The exact path varies by phone model — Samsung phones have it under Apps, while Google Pixel phones have it under Apps > Default apps. Tap Browser app or Web browser and select Chrome from the list.
Some Android phones do not let you change the default browser if you have not installed Chrome yet. If you see only one option, read Chrome from the Google Play Store first, then return to Settings to change the default.
Setting Chrome as your default browser on iPhone and iPad
On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Apps (or General on older iOS versions) and scroll down to find Default Browser App. Tap it and select Chrome. This tells Safari and other apps to open links in Chrome instead.
Apple requires that all browsers on iPhone use Safari's engine underneath, so Chrome on iPhone is technically Safari with Chrome's interface. Changing the default browser only affects which app opens when you click a link — it does not change how web pages actually load.
What happens after you set Chrome as default
Once Chrome is your default, links in emails, text messages, news apps, and documents will open in Chrome automatically. You can still open other browsers if you want — setting a default does not uninstall or disable them.
If you change your mind later, you can switch back to a different default browser using the same steps. There is no penalty for changing defaults, and you can do it as many times as you want.
Troubleshooting: Chrome is not staying as default
On Windows, some programs or updates can reset your default browser without asking. If Chrome keeps reverting to Edge or another browser, check whether you have recently installed software that changes defaults — antivirus programs and some manufacturer utilities do this. Open Settings and set Chrome as default again, then look for any programs that might be overriding your choice.
On Mac, if Chrome is not staying as default, make sure you have the latest version of Chrome. Open Chrome, go to Chrome > About Google Chrome, and let it update if needed. Then repeat the steps to set it as default.
On Android and iPhone, defaults usually stick unless you manually change them again. If links are still opening in a different browser, go back to Settings and confirm that Chrome is actually selected — sometimes the change does not register on the first try.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, find Web browser, and click it to select Chrome from the menu.
- On Mac, open Chrome > Settings, click Default browser in the sidebar, and click Make default.
- On Android and iPhone, go to Settings, search for default browser or default apps, and select Chrome from the list.
- Setting a default browser does not uninstall other browsers — you can still open them manually or change the default later.
- If Chrome keeps reverting to another browser on Windows, check for recently installed software that may be overriding your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does setting Chrome as default make it faster?
No. Setting a browser as default only controls which app opens when you click a link — it does not change how fast the browser runs or how web pages load. Speed depends on your internet connection, your computer's hardware, and which extensions you have installed.
Can I have two default browsers?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser at a time. You can install and use multiple browsers, but only one will open automatically when you click a link. You can always manually open a different browser if you want.
Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in Chrome even if you change the default to a different browser. Each browser keeps its own data separate. If you want to move bookmarks between browsers, you can export them from Chrome and import them into another browser.
What if I do not see Chrome in the default browser list?
Chrome may not be installed on your device. read it from google.com/chrome on Windows or Mac, or from the Google Play Store on Android and the App Store on iPhone. Once installed, return to your default browser settings and Chrome will appear in the list.
Can my workplace or school force a different default browser?
Yes. If your device is managed by an organization, they may have policies that override your default browser choice. Contact your IT department if you cannot change the default — they can tell you whether it is locked and why.