How to change your default browser

Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in an email, document, or text message. Changing it takes two to five minutes depending on your device, and the steps differ between Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android. You do not need to uninstall your current browser — you simply tell your operating system which one to use by default.

The reason to change is usually practical: you may prefer one browser's speed, privacy features, or compatibility with a work system. Some people keep multiple browsers installed and switch the default based on what they are doing that day. Others change because they installed a new browser and want to make sure it is actually being used.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, find your browser, and click it to change the default.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then Default Web Browser, and pick your browser from the dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to the browser app name (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), tap it, and select Default Browser App.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, find your browser, tap it, then select Set as Default or Default Apps, and choose Open Supported Links.
  • After you change the default, test it by clicking a link in an email or message to confirm the right browser opens.

Changing your default browser on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default Apps. Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed (usually Microsoft Edge). Click on it.

A window will open showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use as your default. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and you can close Settings. The next time you click a link outside the browser, your new default will open.

If you do not see your browser in the list, it may not be installed yet. Download it from the official website (Chrome from google.com, Firefox from mozilla.org, Edge from microsoft.com, or Opera from opera.com), install it, and repeat these steps.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Default Web Browser. A dropdown menu will show all browsers installed on your Mac. Click the one you want and the change takes effect immediately.

If your browser does not appear in the dropdown, open the Applications folder (click Finder, then Applications in the sidebar), and drag the browser icon to the Dock to make sure macOS recognizes it. Then return to System Settings and try again.

Changing your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down until you see the name of the browser you want to set as default (for example, "Chrome" or "Firefox"). Tap it. Look for an option called Default Browser App and tap it. Select your preferred browser from the list that appears.

Apple requires that all browsers on iPhone use the same underlying engine, so changing the default mainly affects which app opens when you click a link. The browser you choose will handle bookmarks, history, and settings separately from Safari, so you may want to import your bookmarks after switching.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open Settings and go to Apps. Find your browser in the list (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another) and tap it. Look for a button labeled Set as Default or Default Apps. If you see Default Apps, tap it and then select Open Supported Links. Choose your browser from the list.

Some Android phones organize this differently depending on the manufacturer. If you cannot find the option, try opening your current browser, going to its settings, and looking for a "Set as Default" button within the app itself. Android will ask you to confirm the change before it takes effect.

Testing that your default browser changed

After you change the default, open an email or text message and click any link. The browser you selected should open automatically. If your old browser opened instead, the change did not take. Go back through the steps above and make sure you completed each one.

On Windows, you can also test by opening a document that contains a link (a Word file or PDF) and clicking it. On Mac, try clicking a link in Mail or Messages. On mobile, use the same approach — any link outside the browser app should open your new default.

Why your default browser might not change

The most common reason a default browser change does not stick is that you did not complete all the steps. On Android especially, some phones require you to choose the browser twice — once in Settings and once in the app itself. On Windows, make sure you clicked the browser name in the Default Apps list, not just looked at it.

If you recently installed a new browser, your operating system may not have registered it yet. Restart your computer or phone and try again. If you are using a work computer, your IT department may have locked the default browser setting, in which case you will not be able to change it without their permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to uninstall my old browser to change the default?

No. You can keep as many browsers installed as you want. Changing the default just tells your operating system which one to open when you click a link. You can still open your old browser manually whenever you want.

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

Not on most devices. Your operating system will use the same default browser for all links. Some browsers let you create rules within the app (for example, "open work links in this tab"), but the operating system default applies to everything.

What happens to my bookmarks and passwords when I change the default?

Nothing. Changing the default browser does not affect your data in any browser. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history stay in whichever browser you saved them in. If you want to use them in your new default browser, you will need to import them or sign in to sync them.

Why does my browser keep changing back to the old default?

Some browsers automatically reset themselves as the default when you open them. Check your new default browser's settings for an option like "Always open as default" and make sure it is turned on. On Windows, malware can also change your default, so run a scan if this keeps happening.

Can I change the default browser on a shared computer?

Yes, but the change applies to your user account only. Each person who logs into the computer can set their own default browser. If you share a computer with someone else, changing your default will not affect theirs.