Set Chrome as your default browser in three steps

Making Google Chrome your default browser means Chrome opens automatically when you click a link in email, documents, or other programs. The process differs slightly by device, but on any system it takes less than a minute. You change one setting in Chrome itself, or sometimes in your operating system, and you're done.

On Windows, open Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right, select Settings, then click Default browser on the left. Click the Make default button. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Chrome in the list of browsers, then Set as default. On Mac, open Chrome, click Chrome in the menu bar, select Settings, click Default browser, then click Make default. On Android and iPhone, the steps are in your phone's settings app rather than Chrome itself — see the device-specific sections below.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac let you set the default browser directly from Chrome's settings menu without touching your operating system.
  • On Android, you change the default in your phone's Settings app under Apps, not in Chrome itself.
  • On iPhone, you set the default browser in Settings under the app name "Chrome" — Apple does not let you change it from within Chrome.
  • If you switch browsers later, the new browser will ask to become default the first time you open it.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows

Open Google Chrome and click the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the window. Scroll down and click Settings. On the left side, click Default browser. You will see a blue button labeled Make default; click it.

Windows will open a window showing all installed browsers. Chrome should already be highlighted. Click Set as default at the bottom. A checkmark will appear next to Chrome, and you will see the message "Chrome is your default browser" on the screen. Close the window and you are finished. From now on, clicking a link in Outlook, Word, or any other program will open Chrome instead of your previous default.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome and click Chrome in the menu bar at the very top of the screen (not inside the browser window). Click Settings. On the left side, click Default browser. Click the blue Make default button. Mac will ask for permission; enter your password if prompted. You will see "Chrome is your default browser" appear on the screen.

Unlike Windows, Mac does not show you a separate confirmation window. The change takes effect when ready. If you ever need to verify that Chrome is still your default, you can return to this same Settings page and confirm the button now says "Chrome is your default browser" instead of "Make default".

Setting Chrome as default on Android phones

On Android, you cannot set the default browser from within Chrome. Instead, open your phone's Settings app (the gear icon). Scroll down and tap Apps or Applications — the exact name varies by phone manufacturer. Tap Default apps or Default applications. Look for an option called Browser app or Web browser and tap it.

A list of installed browsers will appear. Tap Chrome. You will return to the previous screen and see Chrome listed as your default. The next time you click a link in Gmail, text messages, or another app, Chrome will open automatically. If you later install a different browser, it may ask to become default when you first open it — you can accept or decline.

Setting Chrome as default on iPhone

iPhone does not let you change the default browser from within Chrome itself. Open your phone's Settings app and scroll down until you find Chrome in the list of apps. Tap it. Look for an option called Default Browser App and tap it. A list of browsers will appear; tap Chrome.

Apple restricts which browsers can be set as default on iPhone — you can only choose from browsers that Apple has approved, and all of them use Apple's own web engine underneath. This means even if you set Chrome as default, it uses the same underlying technology as Safari. The advantage of setting Chrome as default is that your bookmarks, history, and settings sync across your devices.

What happens if you change your mind

If you switch to a different browser later, that browser will usually ask you to make it the default when you first open it. You can click yes or no. If you skip that prompt, you can always change the default the same way you set Chrome — through Chrome's Settings on Windows and Mac, or through your phone's Settings app on Android and iPhone.

Changing the default does not uninstall Chrome or delete your data. Chrome will remain on your computer or phone with all your bookmarks, passwords, and history intact. You can open Chrome anytime by clicking its icon, even if it is no longer the default.

Troubleshooting: Chrome won't stay as default

On Windows 11, some users find that Windows resets the default browser back to Edge after updates. If this happens, go back to Chrome Settings and click Make default again. You may need to do this after major Windows updates. This is a Windows behavior, not a Chrome problem.

On Mac, if the button still says "Make default" after you clicked it, try restarting Chrome completely. Close all Chrome windows, wait a few seconds, then open Chrome again and check the Default browser setting. If the problem persists, restart your Mac.

On Android and iPhone, if links still open in a different browser after you set Chrome as default, open your phone's Settings app and double-check that Chrome is listed as the default. Some apps have their own internal browser and will ignore the system default — this is normal and not something you can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does setting Chrome as default change any of my passwords or bookmarks?

No. Setting a default browser only controls which app opens when you click a link. Your passwords, bookmarks, history, and all other data stay exactly where they are. You can change the default back and forth as many times as you want without losing anything.

Can I set Chrome as default on a work computer?

On a personal work computer, yes — follow the same steps. On a company-managed computer, your IT department may have locked the default browser setting so you cannot change it. If the "Make default" button is grayed out or missing, contact your IT support to ask whether they allow it.

What if I have multiple user accounts on my computer?

Each user account has its own default browser setting. If you set Chrome as default for your account, it does not affect other people's accounts on the same computer. Each person must set their own default separately.

Will Chrome stay as my default if I update Windows or Mac?

Usually yes, but Windows 11 sometimes resets the default to Edge after major updates. If this happens, you can set Chrome as default again using the same steps. Mac is more reliable about keeping your choice.

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

No. Your operating system only allows one default browser for all links. You cannot set Chrome as default for some links and Firefox for others. You can only choose one default for the entire system.