Change your default browser in System Settings
Your Mac's default browser is the one that opens when you click a link in email, Messages, or another app. To change it, open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), then click General in the left sidebar.
Scroll down until you see Default web browser. Click the dropdown menu next to it — it currently shows your active default, usually Safari on a new Mac. A list of all installed browsers appears: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, or others you have downloaded. Select the one you want to use instead.
The change takes effect when ready. The next time you click a link outside a browser window, your new default will open it. You do not need to restart your Mac or the browser itself.
If you do not see the Default web browser option, make sure you are in the General section of System Settings, not another section like Privacy or Network. On older Macs running versions before macOS Sonoma, this setting may be in a different location — see the FAQ below for that path.
Key Takeaways
- Open System Settings, click General, scroll to Default web browser, and choose from the dropdown menu of installed browsers.
- The change happens when ready and affects all links you click outside of a browser window.
- If a browser does not appear in the dropdown, it is not installed on your Mac or was not installed correctly.
- On older macOS versions, the default browser setting is in a different location — check your macOS version if you cannot find it in General settings.
Why your browser choice matters for links outside the browser
When you receive a link in Mail, Messages, Slack, or a document, your Mac needs to know which browser to open. That instruction comes from the default browser setting. Without it, your Mac would not know whether to use Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
Setting a default does not prevent you from using other browsers. You can still open Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser manually and use it whenever you want. The default only controls what happens when something else — not you — tries to open a web address.
What to do if your browser does not appear in the dropdown
If the browser you want to use is not listed in the Default web browser dropdown, it is either not installed on your Mac or the installation did not complete properly. First, check your Applications folder to confirm the browser is there: open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, and look for the browser's icon.
If the browser is in Applications but still does not appear in the dropdown, try opening the browser and checking its settings. Some browsers have their own default-browser setting that must be enabled first. In Chrome, for example, go to Settings > Default browser and click Make default. In Firefox, go to Settings > General and scroll to Browsing, then click Make Default.
If the browser still does not appear after that, try restarting your Mac. Sometimes the system needs to refresh its list of installed applications. If it still does not show up, the browser may need to be reinstalled.
Changing your default browser back to Safari
If you want to return to Safari as your default, the process is identical: open System Settings, go to General, find Default web browser, and select Safari from the dropdown. Safari is always listed, even if you have never used it, because it comes built into every Mac.
You may want to switch back to Safari if you are troubleshooting a problem with another browser, or if you prefer Safari's integration with other Apple apps like iCloud Keychain and Apple Pay. Changing the default does not uninstall the other browser — it remains on your Mac and you can open it manually whenever you choose.
Setting a default browser on older macOS versions
If your Mac is running macOS Monterey, Big Sur, or an earlier version, the default browser setting is not in System Settings. Instead, open System Preferences (the gear icon), click General, and look for Default web browser near the bottom of the window. The dropdown and selection process work the same way.
To check which macOS version you have, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. The version number appears at the top of the window. If you see Sonoma (14), Ventura (13), or Sequoia (15), use the System Settings path described in the first section. For anything earlier, use System Preferences instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in the browser where you created them. Changing the default only controls which browser opens when you click a link outside the browser. You can still access all your data by opening each browser manually.
Can I set a different default browser for work and personal use?
macOS does not support multiple default browsers at the same time. You can only have one default for your entire Mac. If you need to use different browsers for different purposes, you can manually open the browser you want and use it for that task, then switch to another browser later.
What happens if I delete my default browser?
If you uninstall your default browser, macOS automatically switches the default to Safari. The next time you click a link, Safari will open instead. You can then choose a different default from System Settings if you prefer another browser.
Does changing the default browser affect which browser opens when I start my Mac?
No. The default browser setting only controls what opens when you click a link. It does not affect which apps launch when you turn on your Mac. If you want a browser to open automatically at startup, you can add it to System Settings > General > Login Items.
Can I change the default browser for specific websites only?
macOS does not have a built-in feature to set different default browsers for different websites. You would need to manually open the browser you want for each site. Some third-party apps claim to do this, but they are not part of macOS and require additional setup.