Setting Chrome as your default browser on Windows

To make Google Chrome your default browser on Windows, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu, then click Default browser in the left sidebar. You'll see a blue button that says Make default — click it.

Windows will open a settings panel showing your current default browser. Find Google Chrome in the list and click it, then select Set as default. After this, any link you click in email, documents, or other programs will open in Chrome instead of your previous browser.

If the Make default button in Chrome is greyed out, Windows may have restricted which apps can change this setting. In that case, go directly to Windows Settings: click the Start menu, type "Default apps", and open that settings panel. Scroll down to Web browser, click your current default, and select Chrome from the list that appears.

Setting Chrome as your default browser on Mac

On a Mac, open Chrome and click Chrome in the top menu bar. Select Settings, then click Default browser in the left sidebar. Click the blue Make default button.

macOS will ask you to confirm by opening System Settings and selecting Chrome from the default browser dropdown. Once you do, all links from Safari, Mail, and other apps will open in Chrome by default.

If you don't see the option in Chrome Settings, you can also set the default directly in macOS. Open System Settings, click General in the left sidebar, scroll to Default web browser, and select Chrome from the dropdown menu.

Setting Chrome as your default browser on Android

On Android, open Chrome and tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner. Select Settings, then tap Default browser. Tap Chrome to confirm the change.

Some Android phones may route you to system settings instead. If that happens, look for Apps or Applications in your phone's Settings, find Default apps, and select Chrome as your default browser.

Setting Chrome as your default browser on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone and iPad, open the Settings app (not Chrome). Scroll down and tap Chrome. Tap Default Browser App and select Chrome from the list.

Apple requires you to set the default through system settings rather than within the app itself. After you do this, links from Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in Chrome.

What happens when you change your default browser

When Chrome becomes your default browser, any link you click outside of an app will open in Chrome. This includes links in email, text messages, documents, and websites. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in Chrome — changing the default doesn't affect any of your saved data.

You can still use other browsers whenever you want. Setting a default just changes what happens when you click a link without choosing a specific app. If you want to open a link in Safari or Firefox instead, you can long-press the link and select which browser to use.

Switching back to a different default browser

If you decide to use a different browser as your default, follow the same steps for your device and select that browser instead. On Windows and Mac, go to Settings and choose your new default. On Android and iOS, the process is identical — just pick a different app.

Changing your default browser back and forth doesn't delete anything or cause problems. You're simply telling your device which app to use when you click a link. You can switch as often as you need to without any impact on your saved information.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Chrome Settings, click Default browser, and select Make default, or go directly to Windows Settings and choose Chrome from the Web browser dropdown.
  • On Mac, use Chrome Settings to find Default browser and click Make default, then confirm in System Settings.
  • On Android, open Chrome Settings, tap Default browser, and select Chrome.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to the Settings app (not Chrome), find Chrome, and tap Default Browser App to select it.
  • Changing your default browser doesn't affect your saved passwords, bookmarks, or history — you can still use other browsers whenever you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history stay in Chrome no matter what you set as your default. Changing the default only affects which app opens when you click a link outside of an app.

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

Most devices don't allow this — you can only set one default browser for all links. However, you can long-press any link and choose which browser to open it in, giving you control on a case-by-case basis.

What if the Make default button doesn't work in Chrome?

On Windows, your system administrator or parental controls may have locked this setting. Go directly to Windows Settings, search for "Default apps", and change the browser there instead. On Mac, make sure you're using the latest version of Chrome and macOS.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the default browser?

No. The change takes effect immediately on all devices. Any link you click after making the change will open in your new default browser.

Can I have Chrome as my default on my phone but a different browser on my computer?

Yes. Each device has its own default browser setting, so you can choose Chrome on your phone and Safari on your Mac, for example. The settings don't sync across devices.