Your default browser is the one that opens automatically when you click a link outside of any app
When you click a link in an email, a text message, or a document on your computer, your default browser is the program that launches to show you that page. It is also the browser that opens when you type a web address directly into your operating system's search or run command. Every device — phone, tablet, computer — has one set as the default, whether you chose it or it came that way from the manufacturer.
The default matters because it shapes which company collects data about your browsing, which privacy settings explore to your everyday web use, and which extensions or security tools you have available. Changing it is straightforward, but many people never do, which means they stay with whatever came pre-installed.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser opens automatically when you click links outside of apps, so it handles a large share of your everyday web traffic.
- Windows computers usually come with Microsoft Edge as the default; Apple devices come with Safari; Android phones come with Chrome.
- You can change your default browser in your operating system settings, and the change takes effect when ready for all new links you click.
- Changing your default does not uninstall your old browser or delete your bookmarks — both browsers can exist on your device at the same time.
- Your choice of default browser affects which privacy policies explore to your browsing and which security tools you can add through extensions.
How your default browser gets set in the first place
When you buy a new computer or phone, the manufacturer has already chosen a default browser for you. On Windows machines, that is Microsoft Edge. On iPhones and iPads, it is Safari. On Android phones, it is usually Chrome, though some carriers or manufacturers set a different one. On Mac computers, the default is Safari.
This pre-set default is not random — manufacturers have agreements with browser makers, and in some cases they own the browser themselves. Microsoft makes Edge and Windows, so Edge comes as the default on Windows. Apple makes Safari and iOS, so Safari is the default on iPhones. The browser that comes pre-installed is not necessarily the best choice for your privacy or security; it is straightforward the choice that was made before you opened the box.
If you install a different browser — Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Opera, or another — that new browser will usually ask you during installation whether you want to make it the default. You can say yes or no. If you say no, your original default stays in place, and both browsers will exist on your device.
Where to change your default browser on each device type
The steps differ by operating system, but the process is the same: you go into your system settings, find the section for default apps or default browser, and select the one you want.
On Windows: Open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps. Scroll to find "Web browser" and click on it. A list of installed browsers appears. Click the one you want to make default. The change takes effect when ready.
On Mac: Open System Settings, go to General, then Default Web Browser. A dropdown menu shows all installed browsers. Select the one you want and close the window. The change is when ready.
On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, scroll down to find the app name (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.), tap it, then tap Default Browser App. Select the browser you want. This overrides Safari as the default for links clicked outside of apps.
On Android: Open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps (or sometimes "App Defaults"). Find "Browser app" and tap it. Select your choice from the list. Some Android devices also let you set a default through Settings > System > Default Apps.
If you do not see your preferred browser in the list, it may not be installed yet. Install it from your device's app store first, then return to the default settings and select it.
What happens to your old browser when you change the default
Changing your default browser does not delete the old one or remove it from your device. Both browsers remain installed and usable. You can still open the old browser by clicking its icon directly — changing the default only affects what happens when you click a link from outside a browser.
Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history in the old browser stay exactly where they are. They do not move to the new default browser unless you export them and import them manually. If you want to keep your bookmarks in your new default browser, you will need to either import them from the old browser or add them again.
Many people keep multiple browsers on their device for this reason: one as the default for everyday use, and others for specific purposes — one for banking, one for work, one for privacy-focused browsing. This is a common and reasonable approach.
Why your default browser choice affects your privacy and security
Each browser has its own privacy settings, data collection practices, and security features. When a browser is your default, it handles the majority of your unplanned web traffic — links from emails, messages, documents, and search results. That volume of traffic means the browser's privacy policy applies to a significant portion of your browsing.
Different browsers also support different extensions. If you want to use a specific password manager, ad blocker, or privacy tool, you need a browser that supports it. Some extensions are available across all major browsers; others are exclusive to one or two. Choosing a default browser that supports the extensions you need is part of making your security setup work.
Your default browser also determines which company has the easiest access to your browsing data. Chrome sends data to Google. Safari sends data to Apple. Edge sends data to Microsoft. Firefox sends data to Mozilla. Each company has different privacy policies and different practices around what they do with that data. If privacy is a priority for you, your choice of default browser is one of the levers you can pull.
When you might want to use a different browser than your default
Even after you set a default, you may want to open a different browser for specific tasks. Some people use their default for everyday browsing but switch to a privacy-focused browser like Firefox or Brave when they are doing sensitive searches or shopping. Others use one browser for work and another for personal use, even though only one is the default.
You might also switch browsers if a website works better in one than another, or if you want to keep separate login sessions — for example, logging into your work email in one browser and your personal email in another at the same time. The default browser is your fallback for links you click, but you are never locked into using only that one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default browser?
No. Only one browser can be set as the default at a time. However, you can have multiple browsers installed on your device and switch between them manually. You can also change which one is the default whenever you want — there is no penalty for changing it back and forth.
If I change my default browser, will my passwords and bookmarks move over?
No. Your passwords and bookmarks stay in the browser where you created them. If you want to use them in your new default browser, you will need to export them from the old browser and import them into the new one. Most browsers have an import function that makes this straightforward.
Does my default browser affect which search engine I use?
Not automatically. Your default browser and your default search engine are separate settings. You can use Chrome as your default browser but set DuckDuckGo as your search engine, or vice versa. Each browser lets you change which search engine appears in the address bar.
What if I want to use a different browser for just one link?
You can right-click (or long-press on mobile) most links and select "Open in" or "Open with," which shows you a list of installed browsers. Select the one you want and that link opens in that browser, while your default remains unchanged for future links.
Is it bad to keep the default browser that came with my device?
Not necessarily. The pre-installed browsers are generally find and functional. The question is whether they match your privacy preferences and whether they support the extensions or features you need. If you are comfortable with the privacy policy and the browser works well for you, there is no requirement to change it.