Setting Chrome as your default browser on Windows, Mac, and mobile

Making Chrome your default browser means that when you click a link in an email, document, or another program, Chrome opens instead of whatever browser your device currently uses. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, but the process takes less than a minute on any device.

On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings, then Apps, then Default apps. Scroll down to Web browser and click the current default (usually Microsoft Edge). A menu appears showing installed browsers — select Google Chrome and close Settings. On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then Default web browser, and choose Google 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 and notifications, then Advanced, then Default apps, select Browser app, and choose Chrome.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users find the default browser setting under Settings > Apps > Default apps, where they select Chrome from the web browser menu.
  • Mac users access the same setting through System Settings > General > Default web browser and choose Chrome from a dropdown list.
  • iPhone users must go to Settings > Chrome > Default Browser App and select Chrome, since iOS requires this step for third-party browsers.
  • Android users navigate to Settings > Apps and notifications > Advanced > Default apps > Browser app and select Chrome.
  • Once set, all links from emails, documents, and other apps will open in Chrome until you change the default again.

Why your device has a default browser

Your operating system needs to know which browser to open when you click a link outside of a browser window. Without a default set, your device would ask you every time, or it would use whatever came pre-installed. Most Windows computers ship with Edge as the default, and most Macs come with Safari.

Setting a default is purely a preference — you can still use other browsers whenever you want. Changing the default only affects what happens when your device automatically opens a browser for you.

Windows: Finding the default apps menu

On Windows 10, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then Default apps. Scroll down until you see Web browser, which will show your current default (usually Edge with a blue icon).

On Windows 11, the path is the same: Settings > Apps > Default apps. The interface looks slightly different but the Web browser option appears in the same place. Click on the current default browser name, and a window will pop up showing all installed browsers on your computer. Select Google Chrome and the change takes effect when ready.

Mac: Using System Settings

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). In the sidebar, click General. Scroll down to the Default web browser section — you'll see a dropdown menu showing your current default, usually Safari.

Click the dropdown and select Google Chrome from the list. If Chrome doesn't appear, it means Chrome is not installed on your Mac yet. Close System Settings and the change is complete. You can verify it worked by clicking a link in Mail or another app and watching Chrome open.

iPhone: Setting Chrome as default

iPhone requires a different approach because Apple's system treats default browsers differently than Windows and Mac do. Open the Settings app, scroll down to find Chrome (you may need to scroll quite far), and tap it. Look for Default Browser App and tap it. A list of installed browsers appears — select Chrome.

This setting only affects links that open from outside Safari. If you're already in Safari and click a link, it stays in Safari. But links from Mail, Messages, Notes, or other apps will now open in Chrome. If you don't see a Default Browser App option in Chrome's settings, your iPhone may be running an older version of iOS — update to the latest version and try again.

Android: Navigating the default apps menu

On Android, the exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer, but the general route is consistent. Open Settings, then tap Apps and notifications (sometimes labeled just Apps). Look for Advanced or App permissions and tap it. Select Default apps, then Browser app. A list of installed browsers appears — tap Google Chrome.

Some Android phones put this setting in a slightly different place. If you can't find it under Apps and notifications, try Settings > System > Default apps or Settings > Applications > Default applications. Once you've selected Chrome, any link that opens from Gmail, Messages, or other apps will use Chrome instead of your previous default.

Changing your default back if you need to

If you decide later that you want a different browser as your default, the process is identical — just follow the same steps and select a different browser at the end. You can change your default as many times as you want, and it doesn't affect your bookmarks, passwords, or any data stored in Chrome.

Changing the default also doesn't uninstall Chrome or any other browser. All your browsers remain on your device and you can open them manually whenever you choose. The default setting only controls what happens when your device automatically opens a browser for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in Chrome regardless of whether it's your default browser. Changing the default only changes which browser opens when you click a link outside of a browser window.

What if Chrome doesn't appear in my default browser options?

Chrome must be installed on your device before it can be set as default. If you don't see it in the list, read Chrome from google.com/chrome first, then return to your default apps settings and select it.

Can I set different defaults for different types of links?

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser for all links. However, you can manually open any browser you want at any time — the default only affects automatic link-opening.

Does setting Chrome as default make it faster?

No. The default setting only controls which browser opens for links. Chrome's speed depends on your internet connection and computer performance, not on whether it's your default browser.

Will my default browser change if I update my operating system?

Usually not. Most operating system updates preserve your default browser choice. However, major version updates occasionally reset defaults, so you may need to set Chrome as default again after a major update.