Switching browsers is straightforward — you download the new one, set it as your default, and move your bookmarks and passwords over

Changing browsers means installing new software on your computer or phone, then telling your device to open links in that browser instead of your current one. The process takes about 10 minutes and you can keep your old browser installed while you try the new one. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history don't automatically move, but most browsers have a built-in import tool that copies them for you.

The main reason to switch is usually personal preference — one browser might feel faster, have features you like better, or work more smoothly with the websites you visit most. Some people switch because they want better privacy controls, because they prefer how a browser handles extensions, or simply because they're curious. There's no single "best" browser; the right one depends on what matters to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Download your new browser from its official website, not from a search result or third-party site, to avoid installing unwanted software.
  • After installation, go to your device settings to change the default browser — this tells your device which browser to open when you click a link.
  • Use the import tool in your new browser to copy bookmarks, passwords, and history from your old browser in one step.
  • You can keep both browsers installed and switch between them anytime, so trying a new browser doesn't mean committing to it permanently.
  • Syncing your account (like a Google account or Firefox account) across devices means your bookmarks and passwords stay up to date on your phone, tablet, and computer.

Download from the official website, not a search result

The safest way to get a new browser is to go directly to the company's official website. For Chrome, that's google.com/chrome. For Firefox, it's mozilla.org/firefox. For Safari, it comes built into macOS and iOS. For Edge, it's microsoft.com/edge. Typing the browser name into a search engine usually shows the official link at the top, but scammers sometimes pay to appear in search results with fake download pages that look almost identical to the real ones.

Once you're on the official page, look for a button that says "Download" or "Get [Browser Name]". Click it, and the installer file will download to your computer. On Windows, this is usually an .exe file. On Mac, it's usually a .dmg file. On phones, you'll be taken to your device's app store (Google Play on Android, App Store on iPhone) where you tap "Install" instead.

After the file downloads, open it and follow the on-screen instructions. The installer will ask where you want to put the browser and whether you want a desktop shortcut. The default choices are fine for most people. Once installation finishes, the browser will open automatically.

Set your new browser as the default

Setting a default browser tells your device which program to use when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else outside the browser itself. If you don't change this setting, links will still open in your old browser even though you've installed the new one.

On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, then Apps, then Default Apps. Scroll down to "Web browser" and click on your current default (usually Edge or Chrome). A menu will pop up showing all installed browsers. Click the one you want to use instead. On Mac, open System Preferences, click General, and change "Default web browser" from the dropdown menu. On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down to find your new browser's name, tap it, and select "Default Browser App". On Android, go to Settings, then Apps, then Default Apps, and choose "Browser app".

Import your bookmarks, passwords, and history

When you open your new browser for the first time, it usually offers to import data from your old browser automatically. Look for a button that says "Import" or "Bring data from another browser". Click it, select your old browser from the list, and check the boxes next to "Bookmarks", "Passwords", and "History" — or whichever of these you want to keep.

If the automatic import doesn't appear, you can do it manually. In most browsers, this is under Settings or Preferences, then a section called "Import" or "Import and Export". The process is the same: select your old browser, choose what to import, and click a button to start. This usually takes less than a minute.

Passwords are the most important thing to import because they're hard to remember and easy to lose. Bookmarks come second because they save you from having to re-find websites you visit regularly. History is the least critical — it's just a record of where you've been, and you can always rebuild it as you browse.

Sign in to your accounts for automatic syncing

Most modern browsers let you sign in with an account — a Google account for Chrome, a Mozilla account for Firefox, a Microsoft account for Edge. When you sign in, the browser syncs your bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs across all your devices automatically. This means if you bookmark something on your phone, it appears on your computer within seconds.

To set this up, look for a Settings or Preferences menu in your new browser, then find a section called "Sync" or "Sign in". Enter your email address and password, and the browser will ask which data you want to sync. Turn on "Bookmarks" and "Passwords" at minimum. From then on, any changes you make on one device will show up on the others.

Syncing is optional — you can use a browser without signing in. But if you use the same browser on multiple devices, syncing saves you from having to import bookmarks separately on each one.

Keep your old browser while you test the new one

You don't have to uninstall your old browser right away. Keeping both installed lets you test the new one without losing access to your familiar setup. If you find you prefer the new browser after a week or two, you can uninstall the old one. If you decide you want to switch back, it's still there.

Some people keep multiple browsers installed permanently — using one for work, another for personal browsing, and a third for testing. This is fine and doesn't slow down your device noticeably. Each browser takes up a few hundred megabytes of disk space, which is tiny by modern standards.

To uninstall a browser you no longer want, go to your device's Settings or Control Panel and find the list of installed programs. Look for the browser name, click it, and select "Uninstall". On Mac, you can usually just drag the browser icon to the Trash. On phones, press and hold the app icon and select "Uninstall".

What to do if your new browser feels slow or crashes

If your new browser runs slowly or closes unexpectedly, the first step is to restart it. Close all windows and open it again. If it still has problems, clear your cache — this is temporary data the browser stores to load websites faster. In most browsers, this is under Settings or Preferences, then Privacy or History, then "Clear browsing data". Check the box for "Cached images and files" and click Clear.

If clearing the cache doesn't help, check whether you have too many extensions installed. Extensions are add-ons that add features to your browser, and too many of them can slow it down or cause crashes. Go to Settings or Preferences, find the Extensions section, and disable any you don't actively use. You can always turn them back on later.

If the browser still has problems after clearing the cache and disabling extensions, try uninstalling it completely and downloading it again from the official website. Reinstalling often fixes issues that clearing data alone won't solve. If problems continue after a fresh install, the browser may not be compatible with your device, and you might want to try a different one instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will switching browsers delete my old bookmarks and passwords?

No. Your old browser keeps its data unless you uninstall it or manually delete the data. When you import into your new browser, you're copying the data, not moving it. Your old browser will still have everything it had before.

Can I use multiple browsers at the same time?

Yes. You can have Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all installed and open at the same time. Some people use different browsers for different purposes — one for work, one for personal use, one for shopping. There's no limit to how many you can run.

What if I import my passwords but they don't work in the new browser?

This is rare, but it can happen if a password contains special characters that the import tool doesn't handle correctly. If a password doesn't work after import, go to the website, use "Forgot Password" to reset it, and let the new browser save the new password. The old password in your old browser will still work fine.

Do I need to change my passwords after switching browsers?

No. Switching browsers doesn't make your passwords less secure. The passwords themselves don't change — only which program stores them. Your accounts remain just as safe as they were before.

What happens to my browsing history when I switch?

If you import your history, it copies over to the new browser. If you don't import it, the new browser starts with a blank history. Either way, your old browser keeps its history unless you manually delete it. You can always go back to your old browser to search your old history if you need to find something.