Setting Chrome as default on Windows

On Windows, the fastest way is to open Chrome itself and let it ask you. Launch Google Chrome, then look at the top right corner for the three vertical dots (called the menu button). Click it, then select Settings. On the left side, click Default browser. You will see a blue button that says Make default — click it once.

Windows will open a small window asking you to confirm. Find Google Chrome in the list, click it, then click Set this program as default. That is the only confirmation Windows needs. Close the Settings tab and you are done. From now on, when you click a link in email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer, it will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was set before.

If the blue button does not appear, Chrome is already your default browser. You can verify this by going back to Settings and checking the Default browser section — it will say "Google Chrome is your default browser" in green text.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

On a Mac, you cannot set the default browser inside Chrome itself. Instead, you use the Mac system settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). On the left side, scroll down and click Desktop & Dock.

Scroll down in that window until you see Default web browser. Click the dropdown menu next to it — it probably says Safari right now. A list of browsers will appear. Find and click Google Chrome, then close the window. The change takes effect when ready. Any link you click outside of an app will now open in Chrome.

Setting Chrome as default on Android phones and tablets

Open the Chrome app on your Android device. Tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner (or top right, depending on your phone model). Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Notifications — wait, that is not the right section. Go back and look for Apps and notifications or just Apps. The exact name varies by phone manufacturer.

Once you are in the Apps section, look for Default apps or Default browser. Tap it. You will see a list of browsers installed on your phone. Tap Chrome. Android will confirm the change, and you are finished. Links from text messages, email, and other apps will now open in Chrome.

If you cannot find this setting in Chrome's own menu, try the main Android Settings app instead. Open Settings, go to Apps, then look for Default apps or Default browser. The path is slightly different on each phone, but the option exists on all modern Android devices.

Setting Chrome as default on iPhone and iPad

Apple restricts which browsers can be set as default on iPhones and iPads more than Android does, but Chrome can still be your default. Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Chrome. Tap Default Browser App. A list of browsers will appear — tap Chrome. That is all you need to do.

After you set Chrome as default, links from Safari, Mail, Messages, and other apps will open in Chrome instead. However, Apple still forces some links to open in Safari in certain situations — for example, links in the App Store and Apple News will always use Safari. This is a limitation of iOS, not Chrome.

What happens after you set Chrome as default

Once Chrome is your default browser, any link you click outside of the Chrome app itself will open a new Chrome window or tab. This includes links in email, text messages, documents, social media apps, and web pages you view in other apps. The change is when ready and does not require restarting your device.

You can still use other browsers whenever you want — setting Chrome as default does not uninstall or disable them. If you click a link and want it to open in a different browser, you can long-press the link (on phones) or right-click it (on computers) and choose Open with or Open in, then pick a different browser from the menu.

Changing your default browser back

If you decide you want a different browser as your default, the process is identical to setting Chrome. On Windows, go to Settings in your new browser and look for Default browser. On Mac, open System Settings and change the Default web browser dropdown. On Android and iPhone, open Settings and find Default browser or Default apps, then select your new choice.

You can change your default browser as many times as you want, and there is no penalty for doing so. Some people set different defaults for different devices — for example, Chrome on their phone and Safari on their Mac. Others change their default based on what they are doing. There is no wrong choice.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Chrome, click the menu button, go to Settings, click Default browser, and click Make default.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, find Desktop & Dock, and change the Default web browser dropdown to Chrome.
  • On Android, open Settings, find Default apps or Default browser, and tap Chrome.
  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Chrome, tap Default Browser App, and select Chrome.
  • You can change your default browser back at any time using the same steps with a different browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default slow down my computer?

No. Setting a default browser does not affect your computer's speed or performance. It only changes which program opens when you click a link. Chrome will run the same way whether it is your default browser or not.

Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?

Not automatically. Your device allows only one default browser at a time. However, you can right-click or long-press any link and choose to open it in a specific browser, which overrides the default for that single link.

What if the Make default button does not appear in Chrome Settings?

Chrome is already your default browser. You can confirm this by checking the Default browser section in Settings — it will say so in green text. If you want to change to a different browser, open that browser instead and follow the same steps.

Does setting Chrome as default on my phone affect my computer?

No. Each device has its own default browser setting. You can set Chrome as default on your phone and Safari as default on your Mac at the same time, or any other combination you prefer.

Will my bookmarks and passwords move if I change my default browser?

No. Your bookmarks and saved passwords stay in whichever browser you saved them in. If you switch default browsers, you will need to import your bookmarks and passwords into the new browser if you want to use them there. Chrome has an import tool in its Settings menu to help with this.