How to Change Your Default Search Engine in Firefox
Firefox gives you more control over your browsing experience than most browsers — and that includes a straightforward way to swap out which search engine runs your address bar queries. Whether you're moving away from a pre-installed default or trying out something new, the process takes under a minute once you know where to look.
Where Firefox Stores Search Engine Settings
Firefox manages search preferences inside its Settings menu, not through the address bar or any extension panel. The relevant option lives under a dedicated Search section, separate from general privacy or homepage settings.
To get there:
- Open Firefox on your desktop
- Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner
- Select Settings
- In the left sidebar, click Search
You'll land on a page that controls everything from your default search engine to search suggestions and one-click search shortcuts.
Changing the Default Search Engine on Desktop
Under the Default Search Engine heading, you'll see a dropdown menu listing every search engine Firefox currently has installed. Click it to see your options and select the one you want. That's the core change — Firefox immediately starts using your new choice for all address bar searches.
Built-in options typically include:
- Bing
- DuckDuckGo
- Ecosia
- eBay
- Amazon
- Wikipedia (varies by region)
The exact list depends on your region and Firefox version, so what you see may differ slightly.
Adding a Search Engine That Isn't Listed
If your preferred engine isn't in the dropdown, you have two main paths:
Option 1 — Add via the website directly. Visit the search engine's website in Firefox. If the site supports the OpenSearch standard, Firefox will detect it automatically. You'll see a small icon appear in the address bar or a notification offering to add it. Once added, it shows up in your dropdown.
Option 2 — Use an extension. Some search engines publish Firefox extensions that integrate them more deeply, including setting them as default. These are available through the Firefox Add-ons store.
Option 3 — Manual entry. In the Search settings page, scroll down to Search Shortcuts (sometimes labeled "One-Click Search Engines"). There's an option to add a custom search engine by entering a name and a search URL with %s as the query placeholder — for example: https://example.com/search?q=%s. Once added, you can promote it to your default.
Changing the Default Search Engine on Firefox for Android 🔍
The mobile process is slightly different:
- Tap the three-dot menu at the bottom-right (or top-right, depending on your layout)
- Go to Settings
- Tap Search
- Tap Default search engine
- Select from the available list
Android's available engines may differ from the desktop list. Adding custom engines on mobile is more limited — you're generally restricted to what Firefox offers in your region unless you use an extension or a workaround through the desktop sync settings.
Firefox for iOS
On iPhone and iPad, the path is:
- Tap the hamburger menu
- Go to Settings
- Tap Search
- Tap Search Engine and choose from the list
iOS options are typically more limited than desktop due to platform restrictions. Custom search engine additions aren't supported in the same way.
One-Click Search Shortcuts — A Useful Detail
Even after setting a default, Firefox lets you keep multiple search engines as shortcuts. These appear in the address bar dropdown when you start typing, letting you send a query to a specific engine without changing your default.
| Feature | Default Search Engine | Search Shortcuts |
|---|---|---|
| Used for all address bar searches | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Quick access from address bar | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Requires explicit trigger | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (click or keyword) |
| Multiple active at once | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
This is worth knowing if you regularly use more than one engine for different purposes — technical searches, shopping, privacy-focused queries — without wanting to constantly switch your default.
What Affects Which Option Works Best for You
Several variables shape which setup actually suits your situation:
- Privacy needs — Some users switch defaults specifically to reduce tracking. Different engines have meaningfully different data practices.
- Search quality for your use case — Developers, researchers, shoppers, and general users often get different value from different engines.
- Device and platform — Desktop Firefox offers the most flexibility. Mobile Firefox, especially iOS, has more constraints.
- Sync settings — If you use Firefox Sync across devices, search engine preferences may or may not carry over depending on what sync options you have enabled.
- Regional availability — Not all engines are offered in all countries by default.
- Extensions installed — Some extensions override search settings, which can interfere with manual changes you make through Settings.
When Changes Don't Stick 🛠️
If your default keeps reverting, the most common causes are:
- A browser extension with permission to change search settings is overriding your preference
- Firefox policies set by a work or school IT environment are locking the setting
- A recently installed application changed it at the OS level
Check your installed extensions first — go to Add-ons and Themes in the menu and review what has permission to affect browser settings.
The mechanics of changing Firefox's default search engine are consistent and well-documented. What varies considerably is which search engine actually fits your browsing patterns, privacy expectations, and the specific devices you use Firefox on — and those factors look different for every setup.