What setting a default browser does

Your default browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else outside a web browser. Setting one saves you from having to choose which browser to use every single time. Once you pick one, links open in that browser without asking.

Most devices come with a default browser already chosen — usually Edge on Windows, Safari on Mac and iPhone, or Chrome on Android. You can change it whenever you want, and the process takes less than a minute on any device.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows lets you change your default browser through Settings, and you can set different programs for different link types if you want.
  • Mac users change the default in Safari's preferences, and the change applies system-wide when ready.
  • iPhone and iPad require you to open the browser app itself and change the setting in its preferences — the system does not offer a central location.
  • Android users go to Settings, find Apps, and choose their browser as the default for opening links.
  • Changing your default does not uninstall your old browser or affect any bookmarks or passwords you saved there.

Setting a default browser on Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps.

Scroll down until you see Web browser. Click on whatever browser is currently listed there. A window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use as your default, and Windows will switch it when ready.

If you want to be more specific — for example, using one browser for regular links but a different one for mailto: links that open email — you can scroll further down in the Default apps screen and click Set defaults by app. This lets you pick which program handles each type of link separately. Most people do not need this, but it is there if you do.

Setting a default browser on Mac

Open Safari (the browser that comes with Mac). Click Safari in the top menu bar, then click Settings or Preferences depending on your macOS version.

Look for a dropdown menu that says Default web browser and click it. You will see a list of every browser installed on your Mac. Click the one you want, close the Settings window, and you are done. The change takes effect when ready.

If you do not see a Default web browser option, your macOS version is older. In that case, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click General, and look for Default web browser there instead.

Setting a default browser on iPhone and iPad

Open the browser app you want to set as default. For example, if you want to use Chrome, open Chrome. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu button) at the bottom right of the screen, then tap Settings.

Look for an option called Default Browser App or Set as Default Browser — the exact wording depends on which browser you are using. Tap it, and the browser will ask you to confirm. Tap Change or Set to finish.

Unlike Windows and Mac, iOS and iPad do not have a single place in Settings where you change the default for all apps. Each browser has its own setting, so you have to open the browser itself to change it. If you switch browsers later, you will need to go back into the old browser's settings and turn off its default status before the new one takes over.

Setting a default browser on Android

Open the Settings app on your phone. Scroll down and tap Apps (sometimes labeled Applications). Tap Default apps or Default applications.

Look for Browser app or Web browser and tap it. You will see a list of every browser on your phone. Tap the one you want to use, and Android will set it as your default when ready.

If you do not see a Default apps option, your Android version may be older. In that case, go back to the main Settings screen, look for Applications, tap it, then look for your current default browser in the list. Tap it, then look for a button that says Clear Defaults or Set as Default. After you clear the old default, Android will ask you to choose a new one the next time you click a link.

What happens to your old browser

Changing your default browser does not delete it, uninstall it, or affect anything stored in it. Your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and extensions all stay exactly where they are. You can still open the old browser whenever you want by clicking its icon.

The only thing that changes is what happens automatically when you click a link outside of a browser. If you change your mind later, you can switch back to your old default in the same place you changed it the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different browsers for different types of links?

On Windows, yes. In the Default apps screen, scroll to Set defaults by app and you can assign different programs to handle different link types. On Mac, iPhone, and Android, you can only set one default browser for all links.

Will changing my default browser affect my passwords and bookmarks?

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and history stay in whichever browser you saved them in. If you switch back to your old browser later, everything will still be there. Each browser keeps its own separate storage.

What if I do not see my browser in the default browser list?

The browser may not be fully installed yet. Restart your device and try again. If it still does not appear, uninstall and reinstall the browser from the official app store or website, then repeat the steps to set it as default.

Do I have to set a default browser, or can I choose each time?

You do not have to set one. If you remove all default browser settings, your device will ask you to choose a browser every time you click a link. On Windows, you can do this by going to Default apps and clicking the current browser, then clicking None.