Set Chrome as default in three steps on Windows

Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then Default apps. Scroll down to find Web browser, click it, and select Google Chrome from the list that appears.

Windows will ask you to confirm. Click Switch anyway if a dialog appears. Chrome is now your default browser — any link you click outside of an application will open in Chrome instead of Edge or whatever browser was set before.

If you don't see Chrome in the list, it may not be installed yet. Download it from google.com/chrome, run the installer, and repeat the steps above.

Set Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Default browser in the left sidebar. Click the blue Make Google Chrome the default browser button.

macOS will ask you to confirm in a system dialog. Click Open to allow Chrome to become the default. You'll see a checkmark next to "Default browser" in Settings once it's set.

If the button doesn't appear or nothing happens after clicking it, your Mac may already have Chrome set as default. You can verify this by opening System Settings, clicking General, then Default web browser, and confirming Chrome is selected in the dropdown.

Set Chrome as default on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app on your device. Scroll down and tap Chrome. Tap Default Browser App and select Chrome from the list.

iOS requires you to set a default browser separately from Safari. Once Chrome is set, links from Mail, Messages, and other apps will open in Chrome by default. This setting applies to both iPhone and iPad if you use the same Apple account on both devices.

Set Chrome as default on Android

Open the Settings app. Tap Apps or Applications (the name varies by manufacturer). Tap Default apps or Default applications. Find and tap Browser app or Web browser, then select Chrome.

Some Android phones place this setting under Settings > System > Default apps instead. If you can't find it, search "default browser" in Settings to jump directly to the right page. Once set, Chrome will open when you tap links in text messages, emails, and other apps.

What happens when you set a default browser

Setting Chrome as default means that links clicked outside of web applications will open in Chrome instead of another browser. This applies to links in email, text messages, documents, and system notifications. It does not affect links clicked within websites or web applications — those still open in whatever browser you're currently using.

You can still use other browsers at any time. Setting a default browser is a preference, not a lock. If you open Firefox or Safari directly, they will work normally. You can also change your default browser back at any time by following the same steps and selecting a different browser.

Why Chrome might not stay as default

On Windows, some applications or browser updates can reset your default browser without asking. If you notice Chrome is no longer default, return to Settings and set it again. This is most common after installing a new browser or updating Windows itself.

On Mac, third-party applications occasionally request permission to become the default browser. If you accidentally click "Allow" for another browser, go back to Chrome Settings and click Make Google Chrome the default browser again.

On mobile devices, default browser settings are more stable and rarely change on their own. If Chrome stops being your default, check whether you've recently installed a new browser or updated your phone's operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find Web browser, and select Chrome.
  • On Mac, open Chrome Settings, click Default browser, and click the blue button to confirm.
  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Chrome, then tap Default Browser App and select Chrome.
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, find Browser app or Web browser, and select Chrome.
  • Setting a default browser does not prevent you from using other browsers — it only controls which browser opens when you click links outside of applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default affect my bookmarks or passwords in other browsers?

No. Setting a default browser only changes which browser opens links. Your bookmarks, passwords, and data in other browsers remain unchanged. If you want to move bookmarks from another browser to Chrome, you can import them through Chrome Settings > Import bookmarks and settings.

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

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser at a time. All links outside of applications will open in whichever browser you've set as default. You can manually choose a different browser each time by right-clicking a link and selecting "Open with," but there's no way to automate this for specific link types.

What if I don't see Chrome in the default browser list?

Chrome may not be installed on your device. Download it from google.com/chrome and run the installer. After installation completes, return to your default browser settings and Chrome should appear in the list. Restart your device if it still doesn't show up.

Does setting Chrome as default on my phone affect my computer?

No. Default browser settings are separate on each device. You can set Chrome as default on your phone and Edge as default on your computer, or any other combination. The settings do not sync across devices.

Can I undo setting Chrome as default?

Yes. Follow the same steps you used to set Chrome as default, but select a different browser from the list instead. Your previous default browser, or any other browser installed on your device, can be set as default at any time.