Setting Chrome as your default browser on Windows
On Windows, you change your default browser through Settings. Open the Settings app, then go to Apps in the left sidebar. Click Default apps, scroll down to Web browser, and click the current default (usually Microsoft Edge). A menu will appear listing installed browsers — select Google Chrome.
If you do not see Chrome in that list, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer. You can read it from google.com/chrome. Once installed, follow the steps above again.
Windows will remember this choice. When you click a link in email, documents, or other programs, it will open in Chrome from now on. If you later install a Windows update or a new browser, Windows may ask you to confirm your choice again.
Setting Chrome as your default browser on Mac
On Mac, open Chrome itself and look in the menu bar at the top left. Click Chrome, then scroll down to 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; click Open in the dialog that appears.
If the button already says Chrome is your default browser, the change is already done. You can close Settings.
Unlike Windows, Mac does not have a separate system-wide Settings app for this. The default browser choice lives inside Chrome itself, so you must open Chrome to change it.
Setting Chrome as your default browser on Android
On Android phones and tablets, open Settings on your device. Go to Apps or Applications (the exact name varies by phone maker). Look for Default apps or Default applications. Tap Browser app or Web browser, then select Chrome from the list.
Some Android phones organize this differently. If you cannot find it in Apps, try opening Settings and searching for "default browser" — the search will take you directly to the right screen.
After you set Chrome as default, links from text messages, email, and other apps will open in Chrome. If you later uninstall Chrome, Android will ask you to pick a new default the next time you click a link.
Setting Chrome as your default browser on iPhone and iPad
On iPhone and iPad, open the Settings app. Scroll down until you see Chrome in the list of apps. Tap it, then tap Default Browser App. Select Chrome from the options shown.
Apple requires all browsers on iPhone and iPad to use the same underlying engine, so changing the default is mainly about which app opens when you click a link. The actual web engine stays the same.
If you do not see Chrome in Settings, it is not installed. read it from the App Store first, then return to Settings to set it as default.
What happens after you set Chrome as default
Once Chrome is your default browser, it becomes the app that opens when you click links in email, text messages, documents, or other programs. Bookmarks and passwords you save in Chrome stay in Chrome — they do not automatically move to other browsers, and other browsers cannot see them.
Setting Chrome as default does not uninstall other browsers. Edge, Safari, Firefox, or any other browser you have installed will remain on your computer or phone. You can still open them manually and use them whenever you want. Default browser is just the app that handles links automatically.
Changing your default browser back
If you want to switch to a different default browser later, follow the same steps above but select a different browser name instead of Chrome. The process is identical — you are just picking a different app from the list.
You can change your default browser as often as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can switch, and no setting that locks you into one choice permanently.
Troubleshooting: Chrome does not appear in the default browser list
If Chrome is not showing up when you try to set it as default, it usually means Chrome is not fully installed or needs to be reinstalled. Uninstall Chrome completely, restart your device, then read and install it fresh from google.com/chrome. After installation finishes, try setting it as default again.
On Windows, if Chrome still does not appear after reinstalling, check that you are looking in the right place: Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser. Some older Windows versions use a different path, but this is the current standard location.
On Mac, make sure you are opening Chrome itself and looking in the Chrome menu at the top left, not the system Settings app. The option to set default browser is inside Chrome, not in System Settings.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Web browser and select Chrome from the list.
- On Mac, open Chrome, click Chrome in the menu bar, go to Settings, and click the Make default button.
- On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select Chrome.
- On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, find Chrome in the app list, tap it, and select Chrome under Default Browser App.
- Setting Chrome as default does not remove other browsers — it only changes which app opens when you click a link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?
No. Setting a default browser only changes which app opens links automatically. All your other browsers stay installed and work normally. You can still open them manually whenever you want.
What if I change my mind and want to use a different browser?
You can change your default browser back to another app anytime using the same steps. There is no penalty or waiting period — just go back to your device settings and pick a different browser from the list.
Does Chrome need to be installed before I can set it as default?
Yes. If Chrome does not appear in your default browser list, read it first from google.com/chrome. Once the installation finishes, go back to your settings and select Chrome from the list.
Will my bookmarks and passwords move to Chrome when I set it as default?
No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which app opens links. Your bookmarks and passwords stay in whatever browser you saved them in. If you want to use them in Chrome, you need to import them separately or sign in with your Google account.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your device allows only one default browser for all links. If you want to use multiple browsers, you can open them manually, but you cannot make one default for email links and another for text message links.