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How to Make Google Your Default Search Engine (All Major Browsers & Devices)

Switching your default search engine to Google takes less than two minutes — but the exact steps depend on which browser you're using, which device you're on, and sometimes which version of an operating system you have installed. Here's a clear breakdown of how it works across every major platform.

What "Default Search Engine" Actually Means

When you type a query directly into your browser's address bar (also called the omnibar or URL bar), your browser sends that query to whichever search engine is set as your default. It's not about your homepage — it's specifically about where search queries go when you type them and hit Enter.

Changing your default search engine doesn't affect bookmarks, saved passwords, or any other browser settings.

How to Set Google as Default in Chrome 🔍

Chrome and Google share the same parent company, but Chrome doesn't always ship with Google as the default — it depends on regional agreements and device manufacturers.

On Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux):

  1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu (top right)
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Click Search engine in the left sidebar
  4. Open the dropdown under Search engine used in the address bar
  5. Select Google

On Android:

  1. Open Chrome
  2. Tap the three-dot menu → Settings
  3. Tap Search engine
  4. Select Google

On iPhone/iPad:

  1. Open Chrome
  2. Tap the three-dot menu → Settings
  3. Tap Search engine
  4. Select Google

How to Set Google as Default in Safari

Safari defaults to Google in most regions, but if it's been changed, here's how to restore it.

On iPhone or iPad:

  1. Open the Settings app (not Safari itself)
  2. Scroll down and tap Apps, then Safari
  3. Tap Search Engine
  4. Select Google

On Mac:

  1. Open Safari → Settings (or Preferences on older macOS)
  2. Click the Search tab
  3. Use the Search engine dropdown to select Google

How to Set Google as Default in Firefox

Firefox frequently defaults to other search engines depending on your region or device.

On Desktop:

  1. Open Firefox and click the hamburger menu (three lines, top right)
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Click Search in the left panel
  4. Under Default Search Engine, open the dropdown and select Google

On Android or iOS:

  1. Tap the three-dot or hamburger menu
  2. Go to Settings → Search
  3. Tap Search engine and select Google

How to Set Google as Default in Microsoft Edge

Windows devices often ship with Bing as Edge's default search engine.

On Desktop:

  1. Open Edge and click the three-dot menu → Settings
  2. Click Privacy, search, and services
  3. Scroll to Address bar and search
  4. Click Search engine used in the address bar
  5. Select Google from the dropdown

If Google doesn't appear in the list, you'll need to visit google.com first so Edge registers it as an available option, then return to settings.

On Mobile (Android/iOS):

  1. Open Edge → three-dot menu → Settings
  2. Tap Search engine
  3. Select Google

Platform-Specific Variables That Affect the Process

Not all setups behave identically. A few factors can change how (or whether) these steps work:

VariableHow It Affects the Process
Browser versionOlder versions may have menus in different locations
Operating systemiOS/Android paths differ from desktop; some steps go through system Settings
Device manufacturerSome Android devices (Samsung, etc.) have their own browsers with separate settings
Regional defaultsBrowser defaults vary by country due to licensing agreements
Managed devicesWork or school devices may have locked search engine settings controlled by IT policy

What About the Google App vs. the Browser?

On mobile, there's an important distinction: the Google app and using Google as your browser's default search engine are different things.

  • The Google app gives you access to Google Search, Discover feed, and voice search — but it's a standalone app, not a browser.
  • Setting Google as your default search engine in Chrome, Safari, or Firefox means queries typed into that browser's address bar go to Google.

On Android, you can also set a default browser through system settings, which determines which app opens links. That's separate from which search engine your browser uses.

When the Option Doesn't Appear

A few situations where Google may not show up as an option:

  • Samsung Internet and some other manufacturer browsers list only a limited set of search engines — Google is usually included, but you may need to search the settings menu specifically
  • Managed/enterprise devices may have search engine options grayed out entirely
  • Some older browser versions may require an update before additional search engine options become available
  • If you've recently installed a browser, visiting google.com first registers it as an available option in browsers like Edge that populate the list dynamically

The Part That Depends on Your Situation

The steps above cover the most common scenarios, but your actual experience depends on the specific browser version you're running, the device you're using, whether it's personally owned or managed by an organization, and what your current default is set to. Someone on a corporate-managed Windows machine running an older version of Edge is working with different constraints than someone on a personal iPhone using the latest Safari. The process is the same in principle — but which path gets you there, and whether any steps are locked or missing, is specific to your setup. ⚙️