How To Set Google As Your Default Search Engine (All Major Browsers & Devices)
Switching your default search engine to Google takes less than two minutes in most cases — but the exact steps vary depending on your browser, operating system, and device. This guide walks through the process for every major platform so you know exactly where to look.
What "Default Search Engine" Actually Means
When you type a search query directly into your browser's address bar (also called the omnibar or URL bar), the browser hands that query off to whichever search engine is set as your default. Without changing this setting, you might be using Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or whatever the browser or device manufacturer set at the factory.
Setting Google as your default means every address-bar search routes through Google.com automatically — no need to visit google.com first.
How To Set Google as Default in Chrome
Chrome is Google's own browser, so Google is almost always the default already. If it isn't:
- Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner
- Go to Settings → Search engine
- Click the dropdown next to "Search engine used in the address bar"
- Select Google
This applies to Chrome on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS — the menu location is the same across all of them, though on mobile you'll find it under the three-dot menu → Settings → Search engine.
How To Set Google as Default in Safari
Safari defaults to Google in most regions, but if yours has been changed:
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Safari
- Tap Search Engine
- Select Google
On Mac:
- Open Safari and go to Safari → Settings (or Preferences on older macOS)
- Click the Search tab
- Use the Search engine dropdown to select Google
How To Set Google as Default in Firefox
Firefox frequently defaults to a regional or partner search engine. To change it:
- Click the hamburger menu (☰) in the top-right corner
- Go to Settings → Search
- Under Default Search Engine, open the dropdown
- Select Google
Firefox also lets you manage one-click search shortcuts and remove engines you don't want — useful if you want to keep your address bar clean.
How To Set Google as Default in Microsoft Edge
Edge ships with Bing as its default. Changing it:
- Click the three-dot menu (…) → Settings
- Select Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar
- Scroll to the bottom and click Address bar and search
- Under Search engine used in the address bar, select Google
⚙️ Note: On some versions of Windows, Microsoft applies Group Policy settings that lock Edge's search engine — typically on managed work or school devices. If the dropdown is greyed out, it's likely controlled by your organization.
How To Set Google as Default on Android (System-Wide)
On Android, the default search engine is usually tied to your browser, not the OS itself. Change it within whichever browser you use (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, etc.) using the steps above.
Samsung Internet specifically:
- Tap the menu icon → Settings
- Tap Search engine
- Select Google
Some Android launchers (like Samsung's One UI Home) also have a built-in search bar widget that uses its own search engine setting — check the widget's own settings by long-pressing it.
How To Set Google as Default on Windows (System-Wide)
Windows doesn't have a single OS-level "default search engine" setting in the way it has a default browser. Search behavior depends on the browser you're using. Set Google as default inside each browser individually.
The Windows taskbar search bar uses Bing and is tied to Microsoft's ecosystem — this cannot be changed to Google without third-party tools, and those tools carry compatibility and security trade-offs worth researching before use.
Factors That Affect How This Works for You
The process sounds simple, and usually it is — but a few variables can complicate things:
| Factor | How It Affects the Process |
|---|---|
| Managed/work device | IT policies may lock browser search settings |
| Browser version | Menu locations shift between major updates |
| Operating system | iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS each have different control points |
| Multiple browsers installed | You'll need to set Google separately in each one |
| Browser extensions | Some hijack search settings and reset them — check your extensions if changes don't stick |
🔍 If your default search engine keeps reverting to something else after you change it, a browser extension is the most common culprit. Go to your extensions or add-ons page and look for anything you don't recognize or didn't intentionally install.
When the Change Doesn't Stick
If you've followed the steps and Google still isn't being used, the most likely causes are:
- A search-hijacking extension installed without your knowledge (common with free software bundles)
- Browser malware or adware — run a malware scan if extensions look clean
- A managed device profile preventing changes
- The wrong browser — you changed it in Chrome, but your system is opening links in Edge by default
The last point matters: setting Google as your default search engine inside Chrome only helps if Chrome is also your default browser. Those are two separate settings, controlled in two separate places — and which one matters more depends entirely on how you use your device day to day.