What it means to set a default browser, and why you might want to

Your default browser is the program your computer or phone opens automatically when you click a link in email, a text message, or another app. Setting Chrome as your default means that instead of Safari, Firefox, Edge, or whatever came with your device, Chrome will be the one that opens.

You might want Chrome as your default if you use Chrome for most of your browsing already, if you have bookmarks and passwords saved there, or if you prefer how Chrome handles certain websites. The process is different depending on whether you are on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — each operating system has its own settings for this.

Changing your default browser does not delete or affect any other browser on your device. You can still open Firefox, Safari, or Edge whenever you want by clicking their icons. This just changes what happens when a link opens on its own.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, you change your default browser in Settings under Apps, then Default Apps, then search for Chrome and select it.
  • On Mac, you open Chrome, go to Settings, scroll to Default Browser, and click Make Default.
  • On iPhone, you go to Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap Default Browser App, and select Chrome.
  • On Android, you go to Settings, tap Apps, find Chrome, select Open by Default, and choose Open Supported Links.
  • You can change your default browser back at any time using the same steps.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on Apps in the left sidebar.

In the Apps menu, look for Default Apps near the bottom of the left sidebar and click it. You will see a list of app categories — look for Web Browser. Click on whatever browser is currently listed there (it might say Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or something else).

A window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click on Google Chrome. Windows will confirm the change when ready. You can close Settings after that — the change is already saved.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome by clicking its icon in your dock or Applications folder. Once Chrome is open, click the Chrome menu in the top left corner (it shows three horizontal lines, sometimes called a hamburger menu).

Scroll down to Settings and click it. In the left sidebar, click Default Browser. You will see a button that says Make Default — click it. Mac will ask you to confirm; click Open when the dialog appears.

Close the Settings tab when you are done. The change takes effect right away.

Setting Chrome as default on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down through the list of apps until you find Chrome — it may take a moment to scroll, depending on how many apps you have.

Tap on Chrome. You will see several options; look for Default Browser App and tap it. A list of browsers will appear. Tap Chrome to select it as your default.

You can close Settings after that. The next time you click a link in Mail, Messages, or another app, it will open in Chrome instead of Safari.

Setting Chrome as default on Android

Open the Settings app on your phone. Tap Apps (sometimes labeled as Applications or App Management, depending on your phone model).

Find Chrome in the list and tap it. Look for a button or option called Open by Default or Default Apps and tap it. You may see a list of link types — tap Open Supported Links and select Chrome.

Some Android phones organize this differently. If you cannot find it in the Chrome app settings, try going back to the main Settings menu, looking for Apps or Default Apps, and searching for Chrome there instead.

Changing your default browser back

If you decide you want a different browser as your default, the steps are exactly the same — just select a different browser name at the end instead of Chrome. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.

Changing your default browser does not remove Chrome from your device or delete any of your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history. Chrome will still be installed and ready to use whenever you open it directly.

What happens if you do not set a default

If you have never set a default browser, your device will either use whatever came with it (Edge on Windows, Safari on Mac and iPhone, Chrome or Samsung Internet on Android) or ask you to choose each time you click a link. Setting a default just saves you from having to make that choice repeatedly.

Some devices and operating systems will also let you set different defaults for different types of links — for example, using Chrome for most links but a different browser for banking sites. That level of control is usually found in the same Default Apps or Default Browser settings where you set your main default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?

No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens automatically when you click a link. All your other browsers stay on your device and work normally. You can still open them by clicking their icons.

What if Chrome does not appear in my default browser list?

Make sure Chrome is actually installed on your device. If it is not, read it from the Chrome website or your device's app store first. Once it is installed, wait a few minutes and try the default browser settings again — sometimes the system needs a moment to recognize a newly installed app.

Can I set different defaults for different types of links?

On some devices, yes. Windows and Android both allow you to set different defaults for email links, web links, and other types. Look in the same Default Apps menu where you set your main default — there may be separate options for each link type.

If I set Chrome as default, will my passwords move to Chrome?

No. Your passwords stay in whatever browser you saved them in. If you saved passwords in Firefox, they stay in Firefox. You can import passwords into Chrome separately if you want, but setting Chrome as default does not do that automatically.

Does setting a default browser slow down my device?

No. Changing your default browser does not affect your device's speed or performance. It only changes which app opens when you click a link.