What it means to set a default browser, and why you might want to
Your default browser is the program your computer or phone automatically opens when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else outside a web browser. Right now, you probably have one set already — Windows comes with Edge, Macs come with Safari, and phones come with their manufacturer's browser. Setting Chrome as your default means those links will open in Chrome instead.
You might want to do this if you use Chrome for most of your browsing, store your passwords there, or prefer how it handles certain websites. You might also want to switch back later — there is no penalty for changing your default, and you can do it as many times as you want. The process takes less than a minute on any device.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, you open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, find Chrome, and click it to set it as default.
- On Mac, you open Chrome, go to Settings, find Default Browser, and click "Make Google Chrome the default browser".
- On iPhone or iPad, you go to Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap it, and select Default Browser App, then choose Chrome.
- On Android, you go to Settings, find Apps, select Chrome, tap Default Apps, and choose Chrome as your browser.
- Changing your default browser does not delete your data in other browsers and does not prevent you from using them.
Setting Chrome as default on Windows
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Apps" in the left sidebar.
In the Apps menu, click "Default Apps" near the bottom of the list. Scroll down until you see "Web browser" with your current default browser listed next to it. Click on that browser name — it will usually say "Microsoft Edge" or whatever your current default is.
A list of available browsers will appear. Find Google Chrome in that list and click it. Windows will confirm the change when ready, and Chrome is now your default. Any link you click outside of a browser will open in Chrome from this point forward.
Setting Chrome as default on Mac
Open Google Chrome by clicking its icon in your Dock or Applications folder. Once Chrome is open, click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner of the window.
Select "Settings" from that menu. In the left sidebar, click "Default browser". You will see a button that says "Make Google Chrome the default browser" — click it. Your Mac will ask you to confirm, and the change takes effect when ready.
If you ever want to switch back to Safari or another browser, you follow the same steps in that browser's settings and select it as default instead.
Setting Chrome as default on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad — it is the gray icon with gears. Scroll down the list of apps until you find "Chrome", then tap it.
Tap "Default Browser App". A list of available browsers will appear. Select "Chrome" from that list. The change takes effect when ready, and links in Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will now open in Chrome.
This setting is separate from your search engine choice, so you can use Chrome as your default browser but still search with Google, Bing, or another search engine.
Setting Chrome as default on Android
Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet. Scroll down and tap "Apps" or "Applications" — the exact name varies by manufacturer.
Find and tap "Chrome" in the apps list. Tap "Default Apps" or "Set as default" — again, the exact wording depends on your phone's manufacturer. Select "Browser" or "Web browser" from the options that appear, then choose Chrome.
Some Android phones also let you set a default by going to Settings, searching for "Default apps", and selecting Chrome from the browser list directly. Either method works.
What happens to your other browsers when you change your default
Changing your default browser does not uninstall, disable, or delete any other browser on your device. Edge, Safari, Firefox, or any other browser you have installed will still be there and will still work exactly as before. You can still open them manually and use them whenever you want.
Your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history in other browsers stay exactly where they are. Switching your default only changes which browser opens automatically when you click a link — it does not move or delete any of your data.
Switching back to a different default browser later
If you decide you prefer a different browser as your default, you follow the same steps for whichever browser you want to use instead. On Windows, you go back to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Web browser and pick a new one. On Mac, you open that browser's settings and click "Make [Browser Name] the default browser". On phones, you go back to your default browser settings and select a different app.
You can change your default browser as often as you want with no consequences. Some people switch between browsers depending on what they are doing — Chrome for work, Safari for personal browsing, Firefox for privacy-focused tasks. Your default can change along with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default change my search engine?
Not automatically. Your search engine and your default browser are separate settings. You can use Chrome as your browser but search with Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine. To change your search engine in Chrome, open Chrome Settings, click "Search engine", and pick a different one from the list.
What if Chrome does not appear in my list of default browser options?
Make sure Chrome is actually installed on your device. If it is not, read it from google.com/chrome first. If Chrome is installed but not showing up, restart your device and try again. On some older Android phones, you may need to go to Settings > Apps > Chrome > Set as default instead of using the Default Apps menu.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your device has one default browser for all links. However, you can manually choose which browser to use each time — when a link tries to open, most devices show you a menu asking which app to use, and you can pick Chrome, Safari, or another browser for that single link.
Does changing my default browser affect my passwords or bookmarks?
No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and history in Chrome, Safari, Edge, or any other browser stay in that browser. Changing your default does not move, copy, or delete any of your data. If you want to use the same passwords across browsers, you can sign into your Google account in Chrome and your Apple account in Safari, and both will sync within their own browsers.
What if I want to use Chrome for some links but keep my old default for others?
When you click a link, your device usually shows a menu asking which app to use. You can choose Chrome for that link without changing your overall default. If you want Chrome to be your default for everything, follow the steps above. If you want to keep your current default but use Chrome sometimes, just open Chrome manually when you need it.