Setting Chrome as your default browser in three steps
Making Chrome your default browser means that when you click a link in an email, document, or app, it opens in Chrome instead of whatever browser your device currently uses. The process differs slightly between Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but each takes fewer than two minutes.
On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find your current default browser, click it, and select Chrome from the list. On Mac, open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default browser, and click "Make default". On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and choose Chrome. On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select Chrome.
Your device will remember this choice until you change it again. You can switch back to a different browser at any time using the same steps.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users find the default browser setting in Settings > Apps > Default apps, where they can click their current browser and switch to Chrome.
- Mac users can set Chrome as default directly from Chrome's menu without opening system settings.
- iPhone and Android users must go into their device settings rather than the Chrome app itself to change the default browser.
- Changing your default browser does not uninstall your old browser — both can exist on your device at the same time.
- You can change your default browser back whenever you want by following the same steps with a different browser selected.
Why your device has a default browser
Your operating system needs to know which browser to open when you click a link outside of a browser window. Without a default set, your device would ask you every single time, which would become tedious quickly. Setting a default is purely a convenience choice — it does not affect which browsers you can use or install.
Changing your default does not delete your old browser or affect your bookmarks, passwords, or history in any browser. Each browser keeps its own data separate. You can have Chrome as your default and still use Firefox, Safari, or Edge whenever you want to.
Windows: Setting Chrome as default through Settings
Open the Windows Settings app (press the Windows key and type "Settings"). Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps. Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed — it might say "Microsoft Edge" or another browser name. Click on that browser name.
A window will open showing you all the browsers installed on your computer. Find Google Chrome in the list and click it. Windows will confirm the change when ready. The next time you click a link outside of a browser, it will open in Chrome.
If you do not see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer. You would need to read and install Chrome from google.com/chrome first.
Mac: Setting Chrome as default from the Chrome menu
Open Chrome on your Mac. Click the Chrome menu in the top-left corner (next to the Apple logo), then select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Default browser. You will see a blue button that says "Make default". Click it.
Your Mac will ask for permission to make the change. Click the button to confirm. Chrome is now your default browser. Unlike Windows, Mac users do not need to open system settings — Chrome handles this directly from its own menu.
iPhone: Changing the default browser in iOS Settings
On iPhone, the default browser setting lives in your device settings, not in the Chrome app itself. Open the Settings app, scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Default Browser App. You will see a list of browsers installed on your phone. Tap Chrome to set it as your default.
After you make this change, links from Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in Chrome. If you later want to switch back to Safari or another browser, return to the same Settings > Apps > Default Browser App screen and select a different browser.
Android: Changing the default browser in device settings
Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Tap Apps (the exact name varies by phone model — it might say process Manager or Manage Apps). Look for Default apps or Default applications. Tap Browser app, then select Chrome from the list.
Some Android phones organize this differently. If you cannot find Default apps, try searching "default browser" in Settings using the search bar at the top. Android will show you the exact path on your specific phone model.
What happens if you change your mind
Changing your default browser back is the same process you used to set Chrome as default. Go to the same settings screen, find the default browser option, and select a different browser. Your old browser does not need to be reinstalled — it is still on your device.
You can switch your default browser as many times as you want. Some people set Chrome as default for work and Safari as default on personal devices, or change it depending on which browser they are using most that week. There is no penalty or limit to how often you change it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?
No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens when you click a link outside of a browser window. Your other browsers remain installed and fully functional. You can still open them manually and use them whenever you want.
What if I cannot find the default browser setting on my device?
The location varies by device model and operating system version. Try using your device's search function to look for "default browser" or "default apps". You can also search the browser name plus "set as default" to find instructions specific to your exact device model.
Does changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Each browser stores its bookmarks, passwords, and history separately. Changing your default browser does not move or delete any of that data. Your bookmarks stay in the browser where you saved them.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your device allows only one default browser at a time. However, you can always manually open a different browser and paste a link into it if you want to use a browser other than your default for a specific task.
What if Chrome does not appear in my default browser options?
Chrome is not installed on your device. read it from google.com/chrome and install it. Once installation is complete, Chrome will appear in your default browser settings and you can select it.