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

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

On Windows, you change the default through Settings. On Mac, you do it through System Preferences. On iPhone and Android, the option lives in the Chrome app itself. Once you set Chrome as default, your system remembers the choice until you change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, find Chrome, and select it as the default browser.
  • Mac users open System Preferences, click General, and select Chrome from the "Default web browser" dropdown menu.
  • iPhone users open the Chrome app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, and choose Chrome as the default browser.
  • Android users open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Apps, and set Chrome as the default browser.
  • Chrome may prompt you to set it as default the first time you open it, and you can accept or skip that prompt.

How to set Chrome as default on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Apps" in the left sidebar.

In the Apps section, click on "Default apps" near the top of the list. Scroll down until you see "Web browser" with your current default browser listed next to it. Click on that browser name to open a list of installed browsers. Select "Google Chrome" from the list. Windows will confirm the change when ready, and Chrome is now your default.

If you do not see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer. You would need to read and install Chrome first from google.com/chrome before you can set it as default.

How to set Chrome as default on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer Mac versions). Look for "General" in the list and click it.

In the General preferences window, look for the dropdown menu labeled "Default web browser." Click on it and select "Google Chrome" from the list. The change takes effect when ready. Close the preferences window, and you are done.

If Chrome does not appear in the dropdown, it is not installed on your Mac. read it from google.com/chrome and install it first, then return to this step.

How to set Chrome as default on iPhone

Open the Chrome app on your iPhone. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Settings."

In Settings, tap "Default Browser App." A list of available browsers appears. Tap "Chrome" to select it. Your iPhone now sends all links to Chrome by default. You can verify this worked by tapping a link in an email or text message — it should open in Chrome instead of Safari.

How to set Chrome as default on Android

Open the Chrome app and tap the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top-right corner. Tap "Settings" from the menu that appears.

In Settings, tap "Apps and notifications." Then tap "Advanced" at the bottom. Tap "Default apps." Find "Browser app" in the list and tap it. Select "Chrome" from the options shown. Android confirms the change, and Chrome is now your default browser.

On some Android phones, the path is slightly different. If you do not see "Apps and notifications," go back to Settings and look for "Default apps" or "Default browser" directly in the main Settings menu.

What happens when Chrome is your default browser

Once Chrome is set as default, any link you click outside of a web browser opens in Chrome. This includes links in email, text messages, documents, social media apps, and news apps. If you are already using Chrome and click a link, it opens a new tab in the same window.

Setting Chrome as default does not prevent you from using other browsers. You can still open Safari, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser manually whenever you want. Default browser status only affects what happens when you click a link from outside a browser.

If Chrome prompts you to set it as default

When you first install Chrome or open it for the first time, Chrome may show a message asking if you want to make it your default browser. You can click "Set as default" to accept, or you can close the message and set it manually later using the steps above.

If you skip the prompt and change your mind, you can always go back and set Chrome as default using the instructions for your device. There is no penalty for declining the prompt or changing your default browser later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have two default browsers?

No. Your system can only have one default browser at a time. If you want to use multiple browsers regularly, you can open them manually by clicking their icons. The default setting only affects what happens when you click a link outside a browser.

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

No. Changing your default browser does not affect your bookmarks, history, or data in any other browser. Each browser keeps its own information separate. You can switch back to another browser as your default at any time without losing anything.

What if I cannot find the default browser setting on my device?

The location varies by device and operating system version. Try searching your device's settings for "default browser" or "default app." If you still cannot find it, check your device manufacturer's support page or search for "[your device name] set default browser" online.

Does setting Chrome as default mean I have to use a Google account?

No. You can use Chrome as your default browser without signing in to a Google account. However, signing in lets you sync your bookmarks and settings across devices, which many people find useful.