Setting Chrome as your default browser on Windows, Mac, and mobile

To make Chrome your default browser, you open Chrome's settings, find the "Default browser" section, and click the button to set it as default. The exact steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but the process takes less than a minute on any device. Once set, links you click in emails, documents, and other apps will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was handling them before.

Your default browser is the one your computer or phone automatically uses when you click a link outside of a web browser. Changing it does not uninstall your other browsers — they stay on your device, and you can still open them manually whenever you want. You can also change your default browser back at any time using the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Chrome, go to Settings > Default browser, and click "Make default".
  • On Mac, open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default browser, and click "Make default".
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and select Chrome from the list.
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select Chrome.
  • Changing your default browser does not remove other browsers from your device.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left sidebar, click Default browser. You will see a section that says "Make Google Chrome your default browser" with a blue button labeled Make default. Click that button.

Windows will ask you to confirm the change. A window may pop up asking if you want to allow Chrome to make changes to your device — click Yes if it appears. Chrome is now your default browser, and any links you click outside of a web browser will open in Chrome from now on.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu in the top left corner of your screen (next to the Apple logo). Select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Default browser. You will see a section labeled "Make Google Chrome your default browser" with a blue button that says Make default. Click that button.

Mac will ask you to confirm by entering your password. Type your Mac password and press Enter. Chrome is now your default browser. Links from emails, documents, and other applications will open in Chrome by default.

Setting Chrome as default on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone (the gray gear icon). Scroll down and tap Apps. Tap Default Browser App. You will see a list of available browsers on your device. Tap Chrome to select it as your default.

Your iPhone will return to the Settings screen. Chrome is now your default browser. When you click links in Safari, Mail, Messages, or other apps, they will open in Chrome instead.

Setting Chrome as default on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Tap Apps (or Applications depending on your phone model). Tap Default apps. Tap Browser app. Select Chrome from the list of available browsers.

Your phone will save the change immediately. Links you click in Gmail, text messages, and other apps will now open in Chrome. If you ever want to switch back to a different default browser, you can return to this same menu and select a different option.

What happens when you change your default browser

Changing your default browser affects only where links open when you click them outside of a web browser. Your other browsers remain installed and functional. You can still open Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser manually by clicking its icon. Bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history in other browsers stay exactly where they are.

If you change your mind later, you can switch your default browser back using the same steps. Some applications may ask which browser you want to use the first time you click a link after changing your default — you can choose to always use Chrome or just use it that one time.

Troubleshooting if the button does not appear

On Windows, if you do not see the "Make default" button, Chrome may already be your default browser. Check by clicking the button area anyway — if nothing happens, Chrome is already set as default. If the Settings page looks different, make sure you are using a recent version of Chrome by clicking the three-line menu and checking for updates.

On Mac, if the button is grayed out or does not respond, restart Chrome and try again. On iPhone and Android, if Chrome does not appear in the browser list, make sure Chrome is fully installed by opening the App Store or Google Play Store and checking that Chrome shows as "Installed" rather than "Get" or "Install".

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?

No. Changing your default browser only changes which browser opens links automatically. Firefox, Safari, Edge, and any other browsers you have installed stay on your device and work normally. You can still open them by clicking their icons.

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

No. Your device has one default browser for all links. However, some apps let you choose which browser to use when you click a link — you may see a popup asking which browser you want to use, and you can pick one each time.

What if I change my default browser and then want to change it back?

Use the same steps you used to set Chrome as default, but select a different browser instead. On Windows and Mac, open that browser's settings and click "Make default". On iPhone and Android, go to Settings > Default Browser App (or Default apps > Browser app) and select the browser you want.

Does changing my default browser affect my Chrome bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and all other Chrome data stay in Chrome regardless of whether it is your default browser. Changing your default browser only affects where new links open.

Why would I want to set Chrome as my default browser?

Setting Chrome as default means links in emails, documents, social media, and other apps open automatically in Chrome without extra steps. If you use Chrome most often, this saves time. If you prefer a different browser, you can set that one as default instead.