Set Chrome as your default browser in Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then select Default apps. Scroll down until you see Web browser and click on whatever browser is currently listed there — usually Microsoft Edge.

A window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click on Google Chrome, and Windows will when ready switch it to your default. From now on, when you click a link in email, documents, or other programs, Chrome will open instead of Edge or Firefox.

You can verify the change worked by going back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and confirming that Chrome now appears next to "Web browser". If you ever want to switch back, follow the same steps and pick a different browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users should open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps, click the current browser under "Web browser", and select Chrome from the list.
  • Mac users can open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default browser, and click "Make default".
  • On Android phones, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, select "Browser app", and choose Chrome.
  • On iPhones, open Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and select Chrome — this only works on iOS 14 and later.
  • Setting Chrome as default on one device does not change it on your other devices; you must repeat the process on each one.

Set Chrome as your default browser on Mac

Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu in the top-left corner of the screen (three horizontal lines). Select Settings from the dropdown. On the left sidebar, click Default browser.

You will see a button that says Make default. Click it. Your Mac will ask you to confirm that you want Chrome to be the default browser — click Open to confirm. Chrome is now your default, and links from Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in Chrome instead.

If the "Make default" button is grayed out or does not appear, Chrome is already your default browser. You can close Settings and move on.

Set Chrome as your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app on your phone. Scroll down and tap Apps. Tap Default apps (the exact name varies slightly by phone model — you may see "Default applications" or "App defaults" instead).

Look for Browser app or Web browser in the list. Tap it, and a menu will show all the browsers you have installed. Select Chrome. Android will confirm the change when ready, and Chrome will now open when you tap links in text messages, email, or other apps.

Some Android phones organize this setting differently. If you cannot find "Default apps" in Settings, try searching for "default browser" in the Settings search bar at the top of the screen.

Set Chrome as your default browser on iPhone

This feature only works on iPhones running iOS 14 or later. To check your iOS version, open Settings and tap General, then About. Look for the number next to "Software Version".

If you have iOS 14 or later, open Settings and scroll down until you find Chrome in the list of apps. Tap it, then tap Default Browser App. Select Chrome from the menu. Your iPhone will now open links in Chrome instead of Safari.

If you have an older version of iOS, you cannot set Chrome as your default browser. Apple requires all iPhones to use Safari for links that come from outside apps. You can still use Chrome to browse manually, but links will always open in Safari first.

What happens after you set Chrome as default

Once Chrome is your default, any link you click outside of a web browser will open in Chrome. This includes links in email, text messages, documents, social media apps, and news apps. If you are already in a web browser and click a link, it will stay in that browser instead of switching to Chrome.

Setting Chrome as default does not change which browser opens when you restart your computer or phone. The setting stays in place until you manually change it again. You can switch back to a different default browser at any time by following the same steps and selecting a different browser name.

Why you might want a different default browser

Chrome is fast and syncs across devices, but it uses more memory than some alternatives. If your computer is slow or you have limited storage, Firefox or Edge might feel snappier. If you use Safari on an iPhone or Mac, keeping Safari as your default keeps everything in one ecosystem.

You do not have to pick one browser for everything. Many people use Chrome as their default but open Firefox or Safari manually when they want to. The default only matters for links that open automatically — you can always choose which browser to use when you are actively browsing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default delete my bookmarks in other browsers?

No. Changing your default browser does not touch your bookmarks, history, or passwords in any other browser. They stay exactly where they are. If you want to move bookmarks from Safari or Firefox into Chrome, you can import them through Chrome's Settings menu under "Import bookmarks and settings".

Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?

No. Your operating system only allows one default browser. However, you can right-click a link in most programs and choose "Open with" to pick a different browser for that single link. Some email clients let you set a preferred browser in their own settings, but this overrides your system default only within that app.

What if I accidentally set the wrong browser as default?

Just follow the same steps again and select Chrome. There is no penalty or waiting period — the change takes effect when ready. You can switch your default browser as many times as you want.

Does setting Chrome as default on my phone affect my computer?

No. Each device has its own default browser setting. If you want Chrome as your default on both your phone and your computer, you must set it on each one separately. Your Chrome account syncs your bookmarks and history across devices, but not your default browser choice.

Why does my default browser keep changing back to Edge?

Windows sometimes resets your default browser after major updates. If this happens, go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and set Chrome again. You can also prevent some automatic resets by turning off Windows updates temporarily, though this is not recommended for security reasons.