The fastest way to set Chrome as your default

On Windows, open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Settings, then click Default browser on the left sidebar. Click the blue Make default button. Windows will open a settings panel asking you to confirm — click Chrome from the list and you're done.

On Mac, open Chrome, click Chrome in the top menu bar, select Settings, then click Default browser on the left. Click Make default. Your Mac will ask for permission — click Chrome in the dialog that appears.

On Android, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right, go to Settings > Apps and notifications > Default apps, then select Browser app and choose Chrome.

On iPhone and iPad, open Settings on your device, scroll down and tap Chrome, then tap Default Browser App and select Chrome.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac users can set Chrome as default directly from Chrome's Settings menu in under one minute.
  • Android requires you to go through your device's system settings rather than Chrome's own menu.
  • iPhone and iPad users must change the default in their device Settings app, not in Chrome itself.
  • Once set, all links you click from emails, texts, and other apps will open in Chrome automatically.

Why your browser choice matters for links outside Chrome

When you click a link in an email, text message, or social media app, your device uses the default browser to open it. If you don't set Chrome as default, those links may open in Safari, Edge, or whatever browser your device chose during setup. Setting Chrome as default means every link goes to Chrome without you having to copy and paste it.

This also affects which browser handles web addresses typed into your device's search bar or voice assistant. On Android, for example, asking Google Assistant to search for something will open the result in your default browser.

Windows: Step-by-step from Chrome's menu

Open Chrome and look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Click it, then scroll down to Settings. On the left sidebar, you'll see Default browser — click it. The main panel will show a blue button labeled Make default. Click that button.

Windows will open a small settings window showing a list of browsers. Find Chrome in that list and click it. The window will close, and Chrome is now your default. You can close the Settings tab.

If the Make default button appears grayed out, Chrome is already your default browser.

Mac: Using Chrome's Settings and system confirmation

Open Chrome and click Chrome in the menu bar at the very top of your screen (not inside the browser window). Select Settings from the dropdown. On the left sidebar, click Default browser. You'll see a blue Make default button — click it.

Your Mac will show a dialog asking which browser you want to use. Click Chrome in that list. The dialog closes and the change is complete. If you see a message that says Chrome is already your default, no action is needed.

Android: Finding the default browser setting in system settings

Unlike Windows and Mac, Android doesn't let you set the default browser from within Chrome itself. Instead, open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right of the screen. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Apps and notifications. Tap Default apps. You'll see an option for Browser app — tap it and select Chrome from the list.

If you don't see Apps and notifications in Chrome's settings, go directly to your device's main Settings app instead. Open Settings, scroll down to Apps, tap Default apps, select Browser app, and choose Chrome.

iPhone and iPad: Setting Chrome in the Settings app

Apple requires all browsers on iPhone and iPad to use Safari's engine underneath, but you can still set Chrome as the browser that opens when you click links. Open your device's Settings app (not Chrome). Scroll down the list until you find Chrome and tap it. Tap Default Browser App. Select Chrome from the options shown.

After this change, links from Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in Chrome. The change takes effect immediately — you don't need to restart anything.

What happens if you change your mind

You can switch back to a different default browser at any time using the same steps. On Windows and Mac, open that browser's settings and look for a Default browser option. On Android and iPhone, go back to your device's system settings and select a different browser from the list.

If you uninstall Chrome, your device will automatically switch your default browser to whatever came with your device — usually Safari on Apple devices and Edge on Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default change anything about how Chrome works?

No. Setting a default browser only controls which app opens when you click links from outside that browser. It doesn't change Chrome's performance, speed, or any of its features. You can still use other browsers whenever you want.

Can I have two default browsers?

No. Your device can only have one default browser at a time. However, you can always manually choose which browser to use by long-pressing a link and selecting "Open with" on Android, or right-clicking and choosing an app on Windows and Mac.

What if the Make Default button doesn't appear?

Chrome may already be your default browser, or your device's settings may prevent changes. On Windows, check your Settings app under Apps > Default apps to see what's currently set. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Default web browser.

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

No. Each device has its own default browser setting. You need to set Chrome as default separately on your phone, tablet, and computer if you want it to be the default on all of them.

Will my bookmarks and passwords sync if I set Chrome as default?

Setting Chrome as default has nothing to do with syncing. If you're signed into your Google account in Chrome, your bookmarks and passwords will sync across devices regardless of whether Chrome is the default browser.