Setting Google as your default browser depends on what device you use

Google is a search engine, not a browser. What you probably want is to make Google Chrome your default browser — the program that opens when you click a link — or to make Google your default search engine within whatever browser you already use. These are two different things, and the steps differ by device.

If you mean Chrome specifically, the process takes under a minute on Windows or Mac, and a few taps on a phone. If you mean you want Google search results to appear when you search from your address bar, that's a separate setting in most browsers. This guide covers both.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Chrome and Google Search are different — Chrome is the browser program, Google is the search engine that appears in your search bar.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps > Default Apps, find your current browser, and select Chrome from the dropdown.
  • On Mac, open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default Browser, and click "Make Default".
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and select Chrome; on Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Browser App and select Chrome.
  • To make Google your search engine instead of your default browser, open your current browser's settings and change the search engine dropdown to Google.

Making Chrome your default browser on Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then pressing Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default Apps.

Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed — it might say Edge, Firefox, Safari, or another name. Click on it. A window will pop up showing available browsers. Find Google Chrome in the list and click it once. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and Chrome is now your default.

The next time you click a link in an email, document, or web page, Chrome will open instead of your previous browser. If you change your mind later, follow the same steps and select a different browser.

Making Chrome your default browser on Mac

Open Google Chrome. Click the Chrome menu in the top left corner of the screen (next to the Apple logo), then select Settings.

In the left sidebar, click Default Browser. You'll see a button that says Make Default. Click it. Mac will ask for permission to allow Chrome to change your default browser — click Allow. Chrome is now your default, and the button will change to say "Chrome is your default browser".

Making Chrome your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Default Browser App.

A list of installed browsers will appear. Tap Chrome. You'll return to the previous screen, and Chrome is now set as your default. Any link you tap will open in Chrome from now on.

Making Chrome your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app. Tap Apps, then tap Default Apps (the exact wording varies by phone manufacturer, but it's usually in this section).

Look for Browser App or Default Browser and tap it. Select Chrome from the list. Android will confirm the change, and Chrome is now your default.

Making Google your default search engine instead

If you want to keep your current browser but make Google your search engine, the steps are different. Open whatever browser you use now — Edge, Firefox, Safari, or another.

Look for the menu button (usually three horizontal lines or three dots in the top right corner) and click Settings. Find the section called Search Engine or Search. You'll see a dropdown menu showing your current search engine. Click it and select Google from the list. Close the settings page. The next time you type in your address bar, Google search results will appear.

This doesn't change which browser opens — it only changes which search engine you use. If you want Chrome to be your default browser and Google to be your search engine, you need to do both steps.

What happens if you change your mind

Changing your default browser or search engine is not permanent. You can switch back at any time by following the same steps and selecting a different option. Some programs — like Microsoft Office or Slack — may try to reset your defaults when you install them, so check your settings after installing new software if you notice your browser has changed.

If a website or program asks you to change your default browser and you don't want to, you can usually just close that request. You're never required to change your defaults, and doing so won't break anything on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will making Chrome my default browser delete my data from other browsers?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history in other browsers stay exactly where they are. Changing your default only affects which browser opens when you click a link — it doesn't touch any of your saved information.

Can I use Chrome as my default browser but keep a different search engine?

Yes. Make Chrome your default browser using the steps above, then open Chrome's settings and change the search engine to whatever you prefer. You can use Chrome as your browser and Bing, DuckDuckGo, or any other search engine as your search tool.

Why does my default browser keep changing back?

Some programs reset your defaults when you install or update them. Windows updates can also reset defaults occasionally. If this keeps happening, check your settings after installing new software, and consider whether you've recently updated Windows or your browser.

Is there a difference between making something my default and pinning it to my taskbar?

Yes. Pinning a browser to your taskbar just puts a shortcut there so you can click it quickly. Making it your default means it opens automatically when you click links. You can pin a browser without making it your default, or vice versa.