Where to change your default browser on Mac
Your default browser is the one that opens when you click a link in an email, document, or another app. On Mac, you change it in System Settings under the General tab. Open System Settings, select General from the left sidebar, scroll down to the Default web browser section, and click the dropdown menu to pick a different browser from the list of installed options.
The change takes effect when ready. Any link you click outside of a web browser will now open in your newly selected default. You can change it back at any time using the same steps.
If your preferred browser does not appear in the dropdown, it may not be installed yet, or it may not support being set as default. Most major browsers — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera — all allow this. Smaller or older browsers sometimes do not.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser is set in System Settings under General, in the Default web browser dropdown menu.
- The change applies to all links opened outside a web browser, including email links and document links.
- You can switch your default browser at any time by returning to the same System Settings menu.
- If a browser does not appear in the dropdown, it is either not installed or does not support being set as default.
- Some older or less common browsers may not offer this option, even if installed.
Step-by-step walkthrough for changing your default browser
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. You can also press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type "System Settings," and press Enter.
Once System Settings is open, click General in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see the Default web browser section. Click the dropdown menu that currently shows your existing default (usually Safari on a new Mac). A list of installed browsers appears.
Click the browser you want to use as your default. The selection saves automatically — you do not need to click a confirm button or restart your Mac. Close System Settings when you are done.
Why your browser choice matters for links outside the web
Your default browser handles links that come from places other than the web itself. When you click a link in Mail, Messages, a PDF, a Word document, or Slack, your Mac uses whatever browser you set as default. If you do not change it, Safari opens these links even if you prefer using Chrome or Firefox for regular browsing.
Some people keep Safari as default because it integrates with other Apple apps and uses less battery power. Others switch to Chrome or Firefox because they want the same browser everywhere, or because they use extensions that only work in one browser. There is no right answer — it depends on what you use most.
If you use multiple browsers for different purposes, you can still change your default without losing anything. Your other browsers remain installed and you can open them manually whenever you want.
What to do if your preferred browser is not in the list
If the browser you want does not appear in the dropdown menu, it is not currently installed on your Mac. read it from the browser's official website or the App Store, then run the installer. Once installation is complete, return to System Settings and the browser should appear in the dropdown.
Some browsers downloaded from the web require you to drag them into your Applications folder to complete installation. If you downloaded a browser but it still does not show up in the dropdown after restarting your Mac, check that it is actually in Applications. Open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, and look for the browser by name.
If the browser is installed but still missing from the dropdown, it may be an older version that does not support being set as default. Check the browser's website to see if a newer version is available, or consider using a different browser that supports this feature.
Switching back to Safari or changing browsers again
You can change your default browser as many times as you want. If you want to go back to Safari, open System Settings, click General, find the Default web browser dropdown, and select Safari. The change happens when ready.
Some people switch their default browser based on what they are doing — for example, using Safari for everyday browsing but switching to Chrome temporarily if they need to test something in Chrome. You can make this change in seconds whenever you need to.
If you are testing a new browser and want to keep your old default in place while you explore, you do not have to change your default setting. You can open any installed browser manually by clicking its icon in the Dock or Applications folder, even if it is not your default.
How your default browser interacts with other Mac settings
Your default browser setting is separate from your search engine choice. You can use Google as your search engine in Safari while keeping Chrome as your default browser, or any other combination. Search engine settings live inside each browser, not in System Settings.
Your default browser also does not affect which browser opens when you restart your Mac or log in. If you had Chrome open when you shut down, Chrome will reopen when you log back in — regardless of which browser is set as default. Default browser only controls what happens when you click a link from outside the web.
If you use iCloud Keychain to store passwords, changing your default browser does not affect which passwords sync across your devices. Passwords stored in Safari stay in Safari, and passwords stored in Chrome stay in Chrome, even if you switch which one is default.
Troubleshooting when your default browser does not seem to change
If you change your default browser but links still open in the old one, restart your Mac. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you restart, especially if you had the old browser open when you made the change.
If restarting does not fix it, open System Settings again and check that your preferred browser is actually selected in the dropdown. It is possible the change did not save the first time. Select it again and restart once more.
If you are still having trouble, try closing all open browsers completely before changing your default. Some browsers lock the default setting while they are running. Close them all, change your default in System Settings, and then test by clicking a link in Mail or another app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different default browser for work and personal use?
No, Mac only allows one default browser at a time. You can change it whenever you want, but you cannot have two defaults running simultaneously. If you need to use different browsers for different purposes, you can open them manually by clicking their icons, or change your default before switching tasks.
Does changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay inside each browser. Changing your default browser does not move, delete, or share any of that data. Each browser keeps its own separate storage.
What if I read a browser but it will not let me set it as default?
The browser may be an older version that does not support this feature, or it may not be fully installed. Check the browser's website for a newer version, or verify that it is in your Applications folder. If it is still not appearing in the dropdown after restarting, the browser may not support being set as default.
Will changing my default browser slow down my Mac?
No. Your default browser setting only controls which app opens when you click a link. It does not affect your Mac's speed or performance. If you want to reduce the number of browsers running at startup, you can change which apps open automatically in System Settings under General > Login Items.
Can I change my default browser on my iPhone or iPad too?
Yes, but the process is different. On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, scroll down to find the browser app you want to set as default, tap it, and select Default Browser. The setting works the same way — links from other apps will open in your chosen browser.