How to Change the Default Search Engine in Firefox
Firefox gives you more control over your browsing experience than most browsers — and that includes the ability to swap out your default search engine quickly and without any technical know-how. Whether you're moving away from a pre-installed default or adding a search engine Firefox doesn't list out of the box, the process is straightforward once you know where to look.
What "Default Search Engine" Actually Means in Firefox
When you type a query directly into the address bar (also called the Awesome Bar) and hit Enter, Firefox sends that query to whichever search engine is set as your default. The same applies to searches made from the search bar, if you've added one to your toolbar.
Changing this setting doesn't affect bookmarks, direct URLs, or search engines used by extensions — it only controls where Firefox routes your open-ended searches.
How to Change Your Default Search Engine on Desktop 🖥️
Firefox on Windows, macOS, and Linux follows the same basic path:
- Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions).
- In the left sidebar, click Search.
- Under the Default Search Engine section, open the dropdown menu.
- Select your preferred search engine from the list.
The change takes effect immediately — no restart required.
What Engines Are Listed by Default?
Out of the box, Firefox typically includes a handful of well-known options in that dropdown: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Amazon, and eBay are common depending on your region and Firefox version. The exact list can vary based on where you downloaded Firefox and your locale settings.
Adding a Search Engine That Isn't in the List
If the engine you want isn't showing in the dropdown, you have a couple of options.
Option 1: Install a search engine from a website Many websites support OpenSearch, a standard that lets browsers detect and add their search functionality. When you visit a compatible site, Firefox may show a small icon in the address bar indicating a search engine is available to add. You can then go to Settings > Search > Find More Search Engines and add it from there.
Option 2: Use an extension Some search engines offer Firefox extensions that integrate their search directly into the browser. Once installed, they usually appear in the default search engine dropdown automatically.
Option 3: Add a custom search engine manually Firefox allows you to define your own one-click search engines using a URL format. In Settings > Search, scroll to the Search Shortcuts section and click Add. You'll fill in the engine's name and its search URL — using %s as a placeholder for the search term (for example: https://example.com/search?q=%s).
Changing the Default Search Engine on Firefox for Android 📱
The mobile version of Firefox has its own settings path:
- Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom-right corner.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Search.
- Tap Default search engine and choose from the available options.
Firefox for Android also lets you add search engines not in the default list, though the process is slightly more limited than on desktop. Some engines can be added by visiting the site and selecting "Add" when prompted, while others may require a workaround through custom search engine shortcuts.
Changing It on Firefox for iOS
On iPhone and iPad:
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Search.
- Under Default Search Engine, choose your preferred option.
The iOS version of Firefox offers a somewhat shorter list of built-in options compared to desktop, and adding custom engines has historically been more restricted on iOS due to Apple's platform constraints.
Key Variables That Affect Your Experience
Not all search engine changes behave the same way across setups. A few factors shape how this plays out:
| Variable | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Firefox version | Older versions may have different menu labels or fewer built-in engine options |
| Operating system | Desktop vs. mobile Firefox have different UI layouts and capability sets |
| Region/locale | Pre-installed engine lists vary by country |
| Extensions installed | Some extensions override or compete with the default search setting |
| Sync settings | If Firefox Sync is active, changing the default on one device may or may not propagate to others depending on your sync preferences |
One Setting, Multiple Search Points
It's worth knowing that Firefox separates address bar search behavior from search bar behavior — and both can be configured independently. Under Settings > Search, you'll also find options for Search Suggestions, which controls whether Firefox displays predictive results as you type. This behavior is tied to the default engine, so switching engines also changes whose suggestion data you're pulling from.
If you use keyword shortcuts (like typing @google or @duck before a query in the address bar), those are configured in the same Search Shortcuts section and work independently of the global default.
A Note on Search Engine Defaults After Browser Updates
Firefox updates occasionally reset or re-prompt search engine preferences, particularly after major version upgrades or if you've installed a fresh copy. This is worth keeping in mind if you notice your default has reverted — it's usually not a sign of a deeper issue, just a side effect of how updates sometimes interact with stored preferences.
What the right default engine looks like for you depends on your privacy preferences, the kinds of searches you run most often, and whether you're prioritizing features like image search, AI-assisted answers, or minimal data collection — all of which vary significantly between the engines Firefox supports. 🔍