How to change your default search engine to Google

The steps to make Google your default search engine depend on which browser you use. Most browsers let you change this in settings within a few clicks — you do not need to reinstall anything or restart your computer. The change takes effect immediately, so the next time you search from your address bar, Google will handle the search instead of whatever engine was set before.

Your default search engine is the one that runs a search when you type words into your browser's address bar (also called the omnibox or search bar). It is separate from your homepage, which is the page that loads when you open a new tab. You can have Google as your default search engine but a different page as your homepage, or vice versa.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change your default search engine through their settings menu without downloading anything extra.
  • The setting usually lives under "Search engine" or "Search" in the settings, and takes effect as soon as you change it.
  • If Google does not appear in your list of options, you may have installed a browser extension that changed your settings — removing it will restore your choices.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect which search engine you use when you click a search result link or use a search engine's website directly.

Setting Google as default in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Search engine.

You will see a list of search engines under "Search engines used when searching from the address bar." Google should already be in this list. Click the radio button next to Google to select it as your default. If Google is not listed, click Manage search engines and site search, then click the three dots next to Google and select Make default.

Setting Google as default in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right. Select Settings. On the left, click Search.

Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click it and select Google from the list. The change happens immediately. If you want to remove other search engines from appearing in the search bar, scroll down to "One-Click Search Engines" and click the X next to any you do not want.

Setting Google as default in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Search tab.

Under "Search engine," click the dropdown menu and select Google. Close the settings window. The change takes effect right away. Safari also lets you choose a search engine for private browsing separately — if you want Google for both, set it in the "Private Browsing" dropdown as well.

Setting Google as default in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services.

Scroll down to "Search engine" and click the dropdown showing your current default. Select Google. You can also toggle on "Show search suggestions" if you want Edge to suggest results as you type. The new default takes effect immediately.

What to do if Google is not in your search engine list

If Google does not appear as an option in your search engine settings, a browser extension has likely changed your settings. Check your installed extensions by opening your browser's extension or add-ons menu. In Chrome, click the three dots, go to More tools, then Extensions. In Firefox, click the hamburger menu and select Add-ons and extensions. Look for any extension you do not recognize or did not intentionally install.

Remove any suspicious extensions by clicking the trash icon or toggle switch next to them. After you remove an extension, refresh your search engine settings — Google should now appear in your list. If you still do not see it, restart your browser completely and check again.

Why your default search engine might change on its own

Browser extensions, malware, or a program you installed can reset your default search engine without your permission. This happens most often after installing free software that bundles other programs, or after clicking a misleading ad or pop-up. If you notice your default search engine has changed back to something else, check your extensions first, then run a malware scan using your operating system's built-in tool (Windows Defender on Windows, or Malwarebytes on Mac).

Some websites also try to change your default search engine when you visit them. Your browser will usually ask for permission before allowing this. If you see a prompt asking to change your search engine, click Don't allow unless you recognize and trust the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my default search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history is stored separately from your default search engine setting. Changing which search engine is default does not delete or hide any searches you have already made. If you want to clear your search history, you can do that in your browser settings under Privacy or History.

Can I use Google for some searches and a different search engine for others?

Yes. You can set Google as your default (for searches from the address bar), but still use a different search engine by visiting its website directly or by clicking a link that uses a different engine. Some browsers also let you right-click in the address bar to choose a different search engine for a single search without changing your default.

What if I want to change my default search engine back later?

You can change it back anytime using the same steps. Open your browser settings, find the search engine section, and select a different default. There is no limit to how many times you can switch.

Does my phone browser use the same default search engine as my computer?

Not automatically. Your phone's browser has its own settings. If you use Chrome on both your phone and computer and you are signed into the same Google account, some settings sync between devices, but search engine defaults do not always sync. You may need to change the default on your phone separately.