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

To make Chrome your default browser, you open Chrome's settings, find the Default Browser section, and click the button to set it as default. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — each operating system handles this differently, and some require you to change a system-wide setting rather than a setting inside Chrome itself.

Once Chrome is set as default, links you click in emails, documents, or other apps will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was set before. This change takes effect when ready and you can switch back to a different default browser at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, you can set Chrome as default directly from Chrome's settings under "Default Browser," or through Windows Settings under Default Apps.
  • On Mac, Chrome's settings include a Default Browser button, but you may also need to confirm the change in System Preferences depending on your macOS version.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and select Chrome as your default browser.
  • On iPhone and iPad, you must change the default browser through iOS Settings, not through Chrome itself, because Apple requires all browsers to use Safari's engine.
  • Changing your default browser does not uninstall your old browser or delete any data — both browsers remain on your device.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Default Browser in the left sidebar. You will see a button labeled "Make default" — click it. Windows may open a confirmation dialog asking you to confirm the change. Click Yes or confirm as prompted.

If you see a message saying "Chrome is already your default browser," then the change has already been made. If the button does not appear or does not work, you can set Chrome as default through Windows Settings instead. Open Windows Settings, go to Apps > Default Apps, find Web Browser in the list, click it, and select Google Chrome from the menu that appears.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu in the top left (next to the Apple logo). Select Settings, then click Default Browser in the left sidebar. Click the "Make default" button. On newer versions of macOS, a system dialog may appear asking you to confirm — if so, click Open or confirm as prompted.

If you are running an older version of macOS and the button does not work, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to General, and look for Default Web Browser. Click the dropdown menu and select Google Chrome. Close System Preferences and the change will take effect.

Setting Chrome as default on Android

Open your device Settings app. Scroll down and tap Apps (or Applications, depending on your Android version). Tap Default Apps or App Defaults. Look for Browser App or Web Browser in the list and tap it. Select Google Chrome from the options shown.

Some Android devices organize this differently — if you cannot find Default Apps, try searching "default browser" in Settings instead. Once Chrome is selected, any link you open from Gmail, text messages, or other apps will launch in Chrome.

Setting Chrome as default on iPhone and iPad

Unlike Android and Windows, iPhone and iPad do not let you change the default browser inside Chrome itself. Instead, open the Settings app on your device, scroll down and tap Chrome, then tap Default Browser App. Select Chrome from the list shown.

This requirement exists because Apple requires all browsers on iOS and iPad OS to use Safari's underlying engine, even though they may look and feel different. Changing the default browser setting tells iOS which browser to open when you click links in Mail, Messages, or other apps, but all browsers on your device use the same core technology underneath.

What happens after you change your default browser

Once Chrome is set as default, links in emails, documents, web pages, and other apps will open in Chrome. Your old default browser remains installed on your device — changing the default does not remove it. You can still open the old browser manually whenever you want, and you can switch back to it as your default at any time using the same steps.

Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history in other browsers stay exactly where they are. Setting Chrome as default does not move or delete data from Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser. If you want to import bookmarks or passwords from another browser into Chrome, that is a separate process handled through Chrome's Import Data feature in Settings.

Troubleshooting when Chrome will not set as default

If the "Make default" button in Chrome does not work or is grayed out, try restarting Chrome completely. Close all Chrome windows, wait a few seconds, and open Chrome again. Then go back to Settings > Default Browser and try clicking the button again.

On Windows, if Chrome still will not set as default through Chrome's settings, use Windows Settings instead (Apps > Default Apps > Web Browser > Google Chrome). On Mac, restart your computer after clicking the "Make default" button, as some versions of macOS require a restart to explore the change. On iPhone, make sure you are in the Chrome app's settings, not the main iOS Settings — tap the three-dot menu in Chrome, then Settings, then Default Browser App.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default delete my data in other browsers?

No. Changing your default browser does not affect any other browser on your device. Your bookmarks, passwords, history, and extensions in Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser remain unchanged. The only thing that changes is which browser opens when you click a link outside of a browser window.

Can I have multiple default browsers?

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser at a time. However, you can keep multiple browsers installed and switch between them manually whenever you want. You can also change which one is set as default as often as you like — there is no limit to how many times you can make this change.

What if I change my mind and want to switch back to my old browser?

Use the same steps to set your old browser as default instead. On Windows, open that browser's settings and look for Default Browser, or go to Windows Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Web Browser. On Mac, open that browser's settings or use System Preferences. On Android and iPhone, go to your device Settings and select the browser you want as default.

Does setting Chrome as default affect my Google account or sign-in?

No. Setting Chrome as your default browser is a separate action from signing into your Google account in Chrome. You can set Chrome as default without signing in, and you can sign into your Google account without making Chrome your default browser. The two settings work independently.

Why does my iPhone not have a "Make default" button in Chrome settings?

Apple requires you to change the default browser through iOS Settings rather than through the browser app itself. Open Settings > Chrome > Default Browser App and select Chrome there. This is different from Android and Windows, where you can change the default from inside the browser's own settings.