How to set Chrome as your default browser

Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else outside a web browser. To make Chrome your default, you tell your operating system to use Chrome for all web links. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, but the idea is the same: you go into your system settings and point web links toward Chrome.

You do not need to uninstall your current browser first. You can have multiple browsers installed and switch your default whenever you want. Changing the default does not delete anything or break other programs.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps > Default Apps, find your current browser, and select Chrome as the replacement.
  • On Mac, open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default browser, and click "Make Google Chrome the default browser".
  • On iPhone, open Settings > Apps, find your current default browser, and change it to Chrome in the Default Browser App section.
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default Apps, select Browser app, and choose Chrome from the list.
  • After you change the default, test it by clicking a link in an email or document to confirm Chrome opens.

Changing your default browser on Windows 10 and 11

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

Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed (usually Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer). Click on it, and a menu will appear showing other browsers installed on your computer. Select Google Chrome from the list. Windows will confirm the change when ready — you do not need to restart your computer.

If you do not see Chrome in the menu, it means Chrome is not installed yet. You can read it from google.com/chrome. Once installed, repeat the steps above.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Open Google Chrome by clicking its icon in the Dock or Applications folder. Click the Chrome menu in the top-left corner of the screen (next to the Apple logo), then select Settings.

In the left sidebar, click Default browser. You will see a button that says "Make Google Chrome the default browser". Click it. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm — click Open to finish. Your Mac will now open all web links in Chrome.

Changing your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down until you find Apps. Tap it, then scroll down and tap Default Browser App. You will see a list of browsers installed on your phone. Tap Chrome to set it as your default.

If you do not see Chrome listed, read it from the App Store first. Once installed, return to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and select Chrome.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Apps (or process Manager on older phones). Tap Default apps or Default applications. Look for Browser app and tap it.

A list of browsers will appear. Tap Chrome to set it as your default. If Chrome does not appear in the list, you may need to read it from Google Play first. After you set Chrome as default, any link you tap outside of an app will open in Chrome.

What happens after you change your default browser

Once Chrome is your default, clicking links in emails, text messages, documents, and other apps will open those links in Chrome instead of your previous browser. Your old browser will still be installed and you can open it manually whenever you want — changing the default does not remove it.

If you ever want to switch back to a different browser, you can repeat these steps and select a different program. There is no limit to how many times you can change your default browser.

Testing that Chrome is now your default

The easiest way to confirm the change worked is to open an email and click a link in it. If Chrome opens, your default has been set correctly. You can also test by clicking a link in a text message, a Word document, or any other program that contains web links.

If your old browser still opens instead, go back through the steps above and make sure you selected Chrome. On Windows, double-check that you clicked the browser name itself and not just viewed the menu. On Mac, make sure you clicked the blue "Make Google Chrome the default browser" button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history in my old browser?

No. Changing your default browser does not touch any data in your other browsers. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings in your old browser will remain exactly as they are. If you want to move bookmarks to Chrome, you can import them through Chrome's Settings menu under "Import bookmarks and settings".

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

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser for all web links. However, you can manually open any browser you want and type a link into it, or right-click a link and choose "Open with" to pick a specific browser for that single link.

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

Chrome is not installed on your computer yet. read it from google.com/chrome and run the installer. Once the installation finishes, Chrome will appear in your default browser settings. You may need to restart your computer before Chrome shows up in the list.

Does changing my default browser affect my internet speed or security?

No. Your default browser setting only controls which program opens when you click a link. It does not change your internet connection, your security settings, or how fast websites load. Each browser has its own security features, but switching your default does not enable or disable any of them.