Set Chrome as your default in Windows

To make Chrome your default browser in Windows, open Chrome and look for the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Click it, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Default browser. You'll see a section that says "Default browser" with a button that currently shows another browser name. Click the Change button, and a list of installed browsers will appear. Select Google Chrome from that list.

Windows will ask you to confirm. Click Switch anyway to complete the change. Chrome is now your default browser — any link you click outside of Chrome will open in Chrome instead.

Set Chrome as your default on Mac

On a Mac, the process starts in Chrome's menu. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select Settings.

In the left sidebar, click Default browser. You'll see a button labeled Make default. Click it, and your Mac will open the System Settings app automatically. A popup will appear asking which browser you want to use as default. Select Google Chrome from the dropdown menu and close the window.

Return to Chrome to confirm the change took effect. The "Make default" button should now say "Chrome is your default browser." If you don't see this confirmation, repeat the steps — sometimes the change takes a moment to register.

Key Takeaways

  • In Windows, go to Chrome Settings, click Default browser, then click Change and select Chrome from the list.
  • On Mac, go to Chrome Settings, click Default browser, click Make default, and select Chrome in System Settings.
  • After you set Chrome as default, all links from emails, documents, and other programs will open in Chrome automatically.
  • You can change your default browser back to another browser at any time using the same steps.
  • Setting Chrome as default does not uninstall other browsers or affect your passwords and bookmarks.

What happens when you set a default browser

When you set Chrome as your default browser, the operating system remembers your choice. Any time you click a link in an email, a document, or a text message, your computer or Mac will open that link in Chrome instead of whatever browser was set before.

This does not change which browser you can use — you can still open other browsers and use them whenever you want. It only changes what happens when you click a link from outside the browser itself. If you open Firefox or Safari directly, they will work normally. The default setting only affects links that come from other programs.

Your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history are not affected by changing your default browser. These stay exactly where they are, stored within Chrome itself. The default browser setting is purely about which program launches when you click a link.

Set Chrome as default on Android

On Android phones and tablets, the steps are slightly different because Android uses a different settings structure. Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner (or top right, depending on your phone model). Tap Settings.

Scroll down and tap Default browser. Tap Chrome to select it. Android will confirm the change immediately. From that point on, links from text messages, emails, and other apps will open in Chrome.

Set Chrome as default on iPhone or iPad

iPhone and iPad handle default browsers differently than Android. Open the Settings app on your device (not Chrome's settings). Scroll down until you find Chrome in the list of apps.

Tap Chrome, then tap Default Browser App. Select Chrome from the list. iOS will save your choice, and links from Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will now open in Chrome by default.

Troubleshooting: Chrome won't stay as default

Sometimes Windows or Mac will reset your default browser after a system update or when you install a new browser. If this happens, repeat the steps above to set Chrome as default again. The process is the same each time.

If you are on Windows and the Change button does not appear, make sure you are logged into Windows with an administrator account. Some work computers restrict which programs can be set as default. If your computer is managed by an employer or school, you may not have permission to change the default browser. Contact your IT department or administrator if you cannot find the Change button.

On Mac, if the "Make default" button does not respond when you click it, try restarting Chrome completely and repeating the steps. Close Chrome entirely using Command+Q, then reopen it and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default uninstall my other browsers?

No. Setting Chrome as default only changes what happens when you click links from outside the browser. Your other browsers remain installed and you can open them whenever you want. You can switch between browsers freely.

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

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser. All links will open in whichever browser you set as default. However, you can always manually open a different browser and paste the link into it if you want to use a different browser for a specific link.

What if I change my mind and want a different default browser?

You can change your default browser back to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other installed browser at any time. The steps are identical — just select a different browser instead of Chrome when you reach the default browser settings.

Does setting Chrome as default affect my passwords or bookmarks?

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history stay exactly where they are. Setting a default browser only changes which program opens when you click a link from outside the browser. It does not move or delete any of your data.