Set your default browser in three steps on any device

Your default browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in email, documents, or other apps. Changing it takes less than a minute on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. The steps differ slightly by device, but the goal is the same: tell your operating system which browser to use when no specific browser is named.

Most people stick with the browser their device came with — Edge on Windows, Safari on Mac and iPhone, Chrome on Android phones. If you want a different browser to open those links instead, you need to change this setting once. After that, your choice stays in place until you change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, search for your browser name, and select it.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then Default Web Browser, and choose your browser from the dropdown.
  • On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to the browser app name, tap it, and select Default Browser.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, select your browser, tap Default Apps, and choose Open Supported Links.
  • The change takes effect when ready — links will open in your new default browser the next time you click one.

How to change your default browser on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default Apps. You will see a list of app categories — scroll down until you find Web Browser.

Click on the browser name shown there (usually Edge). A window will open showing all browsers installed on your computer. Click the browser you want to use instead. Windows will confirm the change when ready. The next time you click a link in email, a document, or another app, it will open in your new default browser.

If you do not see your browser in the list, it may not be installed yet. read it from the browser's official website first, then return to this same Settings screen and select it.

How to change your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Default Web Browser. A dropdown menu will show all browsers on your Mac. Click the one you want to use, and the change takes effect when ready.

If you have just installed a new browser, you may need to wait a few seconds for it to appear in this list. Close System Settings and reopen it if your browser does not show up right away.

How to change your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down the list until you find the name of the browser you want to set as default — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Tap it. You will see an option called Default Browser App. Tap that option and select your browser from the list that appears.

This setting only works if the browser is already installed on your phone. If you want to use a browser that is not on your device yet, read it from the App Store first, then return to Settings and follow these steps.

How to change your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app and tap Apps. Find and tap the browser you want to set as default. Tap Default Apps (or Set as Default, depending on your phone model). Tap Open Supported Links and select Open in this app. Some Android phones may phrase this slightly differently, but the concept is the same.

If you have multiple browsers installed, you can set a different default for different types of links. Most people set one browser as the default for all links, which is the simplest approach.

What happens when you change your default browser

Once you set a new default browser, links in email, text messages, documents, and other apps will open in that browser instead of the old one. The old browser remains installed on your device — changing the default does not remove it. You can still open the old browser manually and use it whenever you want.

Your default browser setting does not affect which browser you use for specific tasks. If you prefer Firefox for banking but Chrome for everything else, you can set Chrome as default and still open Firefox by hand when you need it. The default only controls what happens when you click a link and do not specify which browser to use.

Changing your default browser back to the original

If you change your mind and want to go back to the browser your device came with, follow the same steps for your device type. On Windows, return to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Web Browser and select Edge. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Default Web Browser and select Safari. On iPhone or Android, open Settings and select the original browser.

There is no penalty for changing your default browser multiple times. You can switch back and forth as often as you want, and each change takes effect when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history in the old one?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in each browser where they were saved. Changing the default browser does not touch any of that data. If you switch back to the old browser later, all your information will still be there.

Can I set a different default browser for work and personal use?

Most devices only allow one default browser at a time. However, you can open any browser manually whenever you want, so you can use one for work and another for personal browsing even if one is set as default. Some Android phones allow more granular control, but the standard approach is one default for all links.

What if my new default browser does not open when I click a link?

Make sure you completed all the steps for your device type. On Windows and Mac, restart the app that contains the link (like email or a document viewer) so it recognizes the new default. On phone, try restarting the device. If the problem persists, check that the browser is fully installed and up to date.

Does changing my default browser affect my internet speed?

No. Your default browser setting only controls which program opens when you click a link. It does not change how fast your internet connection is or how quickly any browser loads web pages. Speed depends on your internet provider, your device's hardware, and the browser itself — not on whether it is set as default.