Change your default browser in Settings, not in the browser itself

Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in email, a document, or anywhere else on your device. To change it, you go to your device's system settings, not to the browser's own menu. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, but the principle is the same: you're telling your operating system which browser to use by default.

Most people try to change this setting inside their browser and get frustrated when nothing happens. That's because browsers don't control what the system default is — your device does. Once you know where to look, the change takes about one minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser setting lives in your device's system settings, not in the browser's own preferences or menu.
  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, find your browser, and click it to set it as default.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then Default Web Browser, and pick your browser from the dropdown.
  • On iPhone, open Settings, scroll down to find your browser's name, tap it, and select Default Browser App.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, find your browser, tap it, then look for Set as Default or Default App.

Changing your default browser on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Apps on the left side of the window.

In the Apps menu, look for Default Apps and click it. You'll see a list of app categories like "Web browser," "Email," and "Maps." Click on the category labeled Web browser. A window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click the browser you want to use as your default. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and you're done.

If you don't see your browser in the list, it may not be installed yet. Download it first from the browser's official website, then return to this same Settings screen and select it.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). On the left side, click General.

Scroll down until you see Default Web Browser. Click the dropdown menu next to it, and you'll see a list of every browser on your Mac. Select the one you want to use. The change takes effect immediately, and you can close System Settings.

Changing your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down through the list of apps until you find the name of the browser you want to set as default — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Tap it.

Inside that browser's settings, look for an option called Default Browser App or just Default Browser. Tap it, and you'll see a list of browsers installed on your phone. Select the one you want. The change is immediate.

If you don't see a Default Browser option for your browser, it may not support being set as default on your version of iOS. Check the App Store to see if an update is available, or try a different browser.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Apps (sometimes labeled Applications). Look for your browser in the list — you may need to scroll to find it. Tap the browser you want to set as default.

Inside the browser's app settings, look for Set as Default or Default App. Tap it, and Android will show you a list of browsers. Select the one you want. Some Android phones organize this differently, so if you don't see this option, try going back to the main Settings menu and looking for Default Apps or Default Applications as a separate category.

After you select your browser, test it by clicking a link in an email or text message. Your new default browser should open automatically.

What to do if your browser doesn't appear in the default list

If you've installed a browser but it doesn't show up as an option for default, the browser may not have finished installing completely. Restart your device and check again. On Windows and Mac, restarting often fixes this.

On mobile devices, open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and check if an update is available for your browser. Older versions sometimes don't support being set as default. Install the update, then return to your default browser settings and try again.

If the browser still doesn't appear after a restart and update, uninstall it completely, restart your device, and reinstall it fresh from the official app store.

Changing your default browser back if you change your mind

You can change your default browser as many times as you want using the same steps above. There's no limit to how often you switch, and changing your default doesn't uninstall your old browser — it just stops using it as the automatic choice for links.

If you want to use a different browser for a single link without changing your default, you can usually right-click the link (on Windows and Mac) or long-press it (on mobile) and select "Open with" or "Open in," then pick a different browser from the menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords from my old browser?

No. Changing your default browser only changes which browser opens automatically when you click a link. Your old browser stays on your device with all your bookmarks, passwords, and history intact. You can still open it manually whenever you want.

Why does my browser keep resetting to a different default?

Some browser installers automatically set themselves as default when you update them. If this happens, go back to your Settings and change it again. You can also check your browser's own settings menu to see if there's an option to stop it from doing this automatically.

Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?

No. Your device allows only one default browser for all web links. However, you can right-click or long-press any link and choose "Open with" to pick a different browser for that single link without changing your system default.

What if I'm using a work computer or school device?

Your IT department or administrator may have locked down the default browser setting so you can't change it. If you don't see the default browser option in your Settings, contact your IT support to ask if they can unlock it or change it for you.