Setting Chrome as your default browser on Windows, Mac, and mobile
Google Chrome becomes your default browser when you change one setting in your operating system — not in Chrome itself. When you click a link in an email, document, or another program, your computer will open that link in Chrome instead of whatever browser you had set before. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, but each takes less than a minute.
Your default browser is a system-wide setting, not a per-process one. Changing it does not uninstall your other browsers or prevent you from using them — you can still open Firefox, Safari, or Edge whenever you want. You are only telling your device which browser to use when a program needs to open a web link and you have not chosen one yourself.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps, find your current default browser, and select Chrome from the list that appears.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click General, select Default web browser, and choose Google Chrome from the dropdown.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps, scroll to Chrome, tap Default browser app, and select Chrome.
- On Android, open Settings, go to Apps and notifications > Default apps, select Browser app, and choose Chrome.
- You can change your default browser back at any time using the same steps.
Setting Chrome as default on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps.
Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed — it might say Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari, or another name. Click on that browser name. A window will pop up showing you all the browsers installed on your computer. Click Google Chrome to select it. Windows will confirm the change when ready, and Chrome is now your default browser.
If you do not see Chrome in the list that appears, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer. You would need to read and install it from google.com/chrome first.
Setting Chrome as default on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions of macOS). Click General in the left sidebar, then look for Default web browser near the bottom of the window.
Click the dropdown menu next to "Default web browser" and select Google Chrome from the list. If Chrome does not appear in the dropdown, it is not installed on your Mac. The change takes effect when ready once you select Chrome.
Setting Chrome as default on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone — it is the gray gear icon usually on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Apps, then scroll down again and tap Chrome.
Tap Default Browser App, and a list of available browsers will appear. Tap Chrome to set it as your default. You will see a checkmark appear next to Chrome, confirming the change. From now on, links you tap in Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in Chrome.
Setting Chrome as default on Android
Open the Settings app on your Android phone — the icon varies by manufacturer but is usually a gear. Tap Apps and notifications, then tap Default apps.
Tap Browser app and select Chrome from the list. Android will confirm the change, and Chrome is now your default. If you do not see "Browser app" as an option, look for Default browser or Browser instead — the exact wording depends on your Android version and phone manufacturer.
Changing your default browser back
You can switch to a different default browser at any time by following the same steps for your device and selecting a different browser name instead of Chrome. Your old browser will remain installed on your computer or phone — changing the default does not remove it.
Some people set different defaults on different devices. For example, you might use Chrome on your phone but Firefox on your laptop. Each device has its own default browser setting, and changing one does not affect the others.
What happens when Chrome is your default
When Chrome is your default browser, clicking a link in Gmail, Outlook, Word, Slack, or any other program will open that link in Chrome. You will not see a dialog asking which browser to use — the link will straightforward open in Chrome automatically.
This does not change how you browse within Chrome itself. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and extensions remain the same. It only affects what happens when something outside of Chrome needs to open a web address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?
No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens links automatically. Firefox, Safari, Edge, and any other browsers you have installed will remain on your computer or phone and work normally. You can still open them and use them whenever you want.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser for all web links. However, you can manually choose which browser to use each time by right-clicking a link and selecting "Open with" on Windows, or long-pressing a link on mobile and choosing a browser.
What if Chrome does not appear in the default browser list?
Chrome is not installed on your device. read it from google.com/chrome on your computer, or search for "Google Chrome" in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Once installed, follow the steps above to set it as default.
Does setting Chrome as default affect my Google account or sign-in?
No. Changing your default browser is a system setting and does not require you to sign into Google or create an account. You can use Chrome without signing in, though signing in will sync your bookmarks and passwords across devices if you choose.
Can I undo this change if I change my mind?
Yes. Follow the same steps for your device and select a different browser instead of Chrome. You can switch back and forth between default browsers as many times as you want.