How to Change Your Default Browser, Search Engine, and Other System Settings

What "change the default" means and why it matters

When you open a link on your computer or phone, it automatically opens in a specific program — usually the browser you set as your default. The same happens with search: when you type something into your address bar, it searches using a specific search engine. These defaults are set by your device, but you can change them to use whatever browser, search engine, or program you prefer.

Changing defaults is useful when you install a new browser and want to use it instead of the one that came with your device, or when you want Google searches instead of Bing, or when you want PDFs to open in a different reader. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, and which program you want to change.

Key Takeaways

On Windows 10 and 11, you change defaults through Settings > Apps > Default apps, where you can set your browser, search engine, and file type handlers one at a time.
On Mac, you right-click a file type or link, choose "Open With", select the program you want, then click "Change All" to make it the default for that file type.
On iPhone, go to Settings > [App Name] and look for a "Default Browser" or "Default Mail" option — not all apps offer this choice.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default apps (or similar, depending on your phone brand) and select which program handles links, email, and other actions.
After you change a default, test it by opening a link or file to confirm the new program opens instead of the old one.

Changing your default browser on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Apps on the left side, then click Default apps. Scroll down until you see your current browser listed — it will show the browser name and a blue icon. Click on it.

A window will open showing you other browsers installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use as your default. Windows will ask you to confirm; click "Switch Anyway". From now on, when you click a link in email or a document, it will open in the browser you just selected.

If the browser you want does not appear in the list, it may not be installed yet. You will need to download and install it first — go to the browser's official website, download the installer, and run it. After installation, repeat the steps above.

Changing your default search engine on Windows

Open Settings and go to Apps > Default apps again. Scroll down to find "Web search" or "Search engine". Click on it, and you will see a list of search engines available on your computer — usually Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo.

Click the one you want to use. If your preferred search engine is not listed, you may need to add it through your browser's settings instead. Open your browser, go to its settings or preferences, find the search engine section, and add the search engine you want. Then return to Windows Settings and select it from the list.

Changing your default browser and search engine on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu and selecting System Settings. Click General on the left, then scroll down to find "Default web browser". Click the dropdown menu and select the browser you want to use.

To change your default search engine, open the browser itself — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or whichever you use. Go to that browser's preferences or settings (usually under the browser name in the menu bar), find the search section, and select a different search engine from the dropdown. Mac does not have a system-wide search engine setting the way Windows does; each browser chooses its own.

Changing defaults on iPhone

iPhone limits which apps can be set as defaults, and the options depend on which apps you have installed. Open Settings and scroll down until you see the app you want to change — for example, "Chrome" or "Firefox" if you want to change your browser. Tap it.

Look for an option called "Default Browser" or "Default Mail App" or similar. If you see it, tap it and select the app you want to use. Not all apps offer this option; some apps can only be defaults if the developer built that feature in. If you do not see a default option for an app, that app cannot be set as your system default.

Changing defaults on Android

Open Settings and look for Apps or Application Manager — the exact name varies by phone brand. Tap it, then look for Default apps or similar. Tap that option.

You will see categories like "Browser app", "Phone app", "Messages app", and others. Tap the category you want to change, and a list of installed apps will appear. Select the one you want to use as the default. After you select it, that app will handle all links or actions of that type going forward.

If you change your mind later, you can return to this same menu and select a different app. Some phones also let you clear defaults by going to Settings > Apps, finding the app, tapping Storage, and selecting "Clear Defaults".

What to do if a program keeps opening instead of your new default

Sometimes after you change a default, the old program still opens. This usually happens because the old program is set to always open that file type, and that setting is overriding your system default. Open the old program, go to its preferences or settings, and look for an option like "Always open files of this type" or "Set as default". Turn that option off.

If that does not work, try right-clicking a file of that type (a link, a PDF, an image) and selecting "Open With". Choose the program you want to use, then look for a checkbox that says "Always use this app" or "Set as default". Check it and click Open. This forces that file type to open in your chosen program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different defaults for different file types?

Yes. On Windows and Android, you can set one program as the default for PDFs, another for images, and another for videos. Go to Default apps and change each file type separately. On Mac, right-click any file, select "Open With", choose a program, and click "Change All" — this sets that program as the default only for that file type.

What if I want links to open in one browser but searches to use a different search engine?

On Windows, you can set your default browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps, then set your search engine separately in the same menu. On Mac, set the browser in System Settings > General > Default web browser, then set the search engine in that browser's own preferences. They work independently.

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history?

No. Changing your default browser does not affect your data in any browser. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay in the browser where you created them. If you want to move them to a new browser, most browsers have an import feature — open the new browser, go to settings, and look for "Import bookmarks" or "Import from another browser".

Why does my phone keep asking me which app to use every time I click a link?

This means no default is set for that action. When you see the popup, select the app you want to use, then look for a checkbox or button that says "Always" or "Set as default" before you tap Open. On Android, you can also go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and set it there directly.

Can I undo a default change if I change my mind?

Yes. Go back to the same menu where you changed it — Settings > Apps > Default apps on Windows, System Settings > General on Mac, or Settings > Apps > Default apps on Android — and select a different program. You can change your defaults as many times as you want.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.