Setting Google Chrome as your default browser

To make Google Chrome your default browser, you open your device's settings and tell it to use Chrome for all web links. The exact steps depend on whether you are on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — each operating system stores this setting in a different place. Once you change it, every link you click from email, text messages, or documents will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser currently opens them.

The process takes less than a minute on any device, and you can change it back to a different browser anytime. If Chrome is not installed yet, you will need to download it first from google.com/chrome.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps, find your current browser, and select Chrome from the dropdown menu.
  • On Mac, open Chrome, click Chrome in the menu bar, select Settings, go to Default browser, and click Make default.
  • On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap Default Browser App, and select Chrome.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps, select Browser app, and choose Chrome.
  • You can change your default browser back to another option at any time using the same steps.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on Apps in the left sidebar, then select Default apps from the menu that appears.

Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed — it might say Edge, Firefox, Safari, or another name. Click on that browser name, and a menu will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Select Google Chrome from the list. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and Chrome is now your default browser.

If you do not see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer yet. Download it from google.com/chrome, install it, and then repeat these steps.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Open Google Chrome by clicking its icon in the Dock or Applications folder. Once Chrome is open, click Chrome in the menu bar at the top of the screen — this is different from clicking inside the browser window. A dropdown menu will appear.

Select Settings from that dropdown. In the Settings page that opens, look for the section labeled Default browser on the left side. You will see a button that says Make default. Click it, and macOS will ask you to confirm. Click Open when prompted, and Chrome becomes your default browser.

If the "Make default" button is grayed out or does not appear, Chrome is already your default browser.

Setting Chrome as default on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone — this is the gray gear icon on your home screen. Scroll down through the list of apps until you find Chrome. Tap on it to open Chrome's settings page within the Settings app.

Look for the option labeled Default Browser App and tap it. A list of available browsers will appear. Select Chrome from the list. The setting saves automatically, and all links you tap will now open in Chrome instead of Safari.

This setting only affects links opened from outside Chrome — like links in Mail, Messages, or Safari. If you are already in Chrome and click a link, it stays in Chrome regardless of your default setting.

Setting Chrome as default on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone — usually a gear icon. Scroll down and tap Apps or Applications, depending on your phone model. Then select Default apps from the menu.

Look for an option labeled Browser app or Web browser. Tap it, and a list of installed browsers will appear. Select Chrome from the list. The change takes effect immediately, and Chrome will now open all web links from your phone.

Some Android phones organize this setting differently — if you cannot find "Default apps," try searching "default browser" in your Settings search bar at the top of the Settings app. This will take you directly to the right screen.

Changing your default browser back

You can change your default browser back to Edge, Firefox, Safari, or any other browser installed on your device using the exact same steps. Open your device's settings, find the default browser section, and select a different browser from the list. There is no penalty for changing it back and forth, and the process is just as quick.

Some people set different browsers as default on different devices — for example, Chrome on their phone but Edge on their computer. Each device's default setting is independent, so changing one does not affect the others.

What to do if Chrome does not appear in the list

If you open your default browser settings and Chrome is not listed as an option, it means Chrome is not installed on your device. Go to google.com/chrome on any browser, click the blue Download Chrome button, and follow the installation instructions for your device type.

Once the installation finishes and Chrome is fully open, go back to your default browser settings using the steps above. Chrome should now appear in the list of available browsers, and you can select it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?

No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens when you click a link. All your other browsers remain installed and you can still open them manually anytime. You can also switch your default browser back to a different one whenever you want.

Do I need to do this on every device I own?

Yes. Your default browser setting is stored on each individual device. If you want Chrome as default on your phone, computer, and tablet, you need to change the setting on each one separately. They do not sync automatically.

What if I cannot find the default browser setting on my device?

Try using your device's search function within Settings. On Windows, type "default" in the Settings search bar. On Mac, use Spotlight search. On iPhone and Android, search within the Settings app. This usually takes you directly to the right screen faster than navigating through menus.

Can I set Chrome as default for some links but not others?

No. Your default browser setting applies to all links from outside that browser. However, you can still manually open other browsers anytime and use them for specific tasks — setting a default just changes what happens when you click a link in email or another app.

Does my default browser choice affect my Google account or search history?

No. Your default browser setting only controls which program opens links. It does not change your Google account, search history, bookmarks, or any other data. Those are stored separately and sync based on whether you are signed into your Google account in that browser.