Set Chrome as your default browser in three steps
Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in an email, document, or text message. To make Chrome your default, you tell your operating system to use Chrome for all web links instead of Edge, Safari, or Firefox. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android — you go into your system settings, find the default browser option, and select Chrome from the list.
Once Chrome is set as default, every link you click outside of another program will open in Chrome automatically. You can change it back anytime by following the same steps with a different browser.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, find the web link option, and select Chrome.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click General, select Default web browser, and choose Chrome from the dropdown.
- On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap Default Browser App, and select Chrome.
- On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, select Default apps, choose Browser app, and tap Chrome.
- Changing your default browser does not remove other browsers from your computer — you can still open them manually whenever you want.
How to change the default browser on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps near the top of the screen.
Scroll down until you see the section labeled Web browser. The current default browser will be shown with its icon and name. Click on it, and a list of installed browsers will appear. Select Google Chrome from the list. Windows will confirm the change when ready, and Chrome is now your default browser.
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 first from google.com/chrome before you can set it as default.
How to change the default browser on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General, then look for the Default web browser option near the bottom of the window.
Click the dropdown menu next to "Default web browser" and select Google Chrome from the list. The change takes effect when ready. You can close System Settings now.
If Chrome does not appear in the dropdown, you need to install it first. Visit google.com/chrome, read the Mac version, and follow the installation steps before returning to System Settings to set it as default.
How to change the default browser on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down through the list of apps until you find Chrome. Tap on Chrome to open its settings page.
Look for the option labeled Default Browser App and tap it. A list of available browsers will appear. Select Chrome from the list. The setting is saved automatically, and Chrome is now your default browser on iPhone.
If you do not see Chrome in the list, read it from the App Store first, then return to Settings to set it as default.
How to change the default browser on Android
Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Default apps (the exact name may vary slightly depending on your phone model and Android version).
Look for the option labeled Browser app or Web browser. Tap it and select Chrome from the list of available browsers. The change takes effect when ready.
Some Android phones place this setting in a different location. If you cannot find it under Apps, try searching "default browser" in the Settings search bar at the top of the app.
What happens when you change your default browser
Changing your default browser only affects what happens when you click links outside of other programs. If you click a link in Gmail, a text message, or a Word document, that link will now open in Chrome. Links clicked inside other browsers still open in that browser.
Your other browsers remain installed on your computer or phone. You can still open Firefox, Edge, or Safari manually anytime you want. Setting Chrome as default does not uninstall anything or prevent you from using other browsers — it just changes which one opens automatically when you click a link.
If you change your mind later, you can follow the same steps and select a different browser as your default. There is no limit to how many times you can switch.
Troubleshooting: Chrome does not appear as an option
If Chrome is not showing up in your default browser list, the most common reason is that Chrome is not installed on your device. Visit google.com/chrome and read the version for your operating system (Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android). Follow the installation instructions, then return to your settings and try again.
On Windows, if you installed Chrome but it still does not appear, restart your computer and check again. Sometimes Windows needs to refresh its list of installed programs. On Mac, make sure you dragged Chrome into your Applications folder during installation — if it is only in your Downloads folder, the system may not recognize it as an installed app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history in other browsers?
No. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay in each browser where they were created. Changing your default browser does not touch any data in Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any other program. Each browser keeps its own separate information.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser for all web links. You cannot set Chrome as default for some links and Firefox for others. However, you can always manually open a different browser and paste a link into it if you want to use a specific browser for a particular task.
What if my workplace or school controls my computer settings?
If your computer is managed by an organization, you may not have permission to change the default browser. Contact your IT department or help desk to request the change, or ask whether they can change it for you. Some organizations lock these settings to maintain security or compliance standards.
Does changing my default browser affect my Google account or Chrome sync?
No. Your Google account and Chrome sync settings are separate from the default browser setting. Changing your default browser does not sign you out, delete your synced data, or change any Chrome settings. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history will continue to sync across your devices as before.
Can I change my default browser on a Chromebook?
Chromebooks run Chrome OS, which uses Chrome as the only available browser. You cannot change the default browser on a Chromebook because Chrome is the system browser. If you need to use a different browser, you would need to use a different device.