How to change your browser in three steps
Switching to a new browser means downloading the new one, setting it as your default, and moving your bookmarks and passwords over. The whole process takes about ten minutes. You do not have to uninstall your old browser first — most people keep two or three installed and just use a different one to open links.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a phone, but the basic idea is the same: install the new browser, tell your computer to open web links with it by default, then import your saved information from the old one.
Key Takeaways
- Download your chosen browser from its official website, then run the installer file and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
- After installation, open your operating system's settings and change the default browser so links open in your new choice instead of the old one.
- Most browsers have an import feature that moves your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history from your previous browser automatically.
- You can keep your old browser installed alongside the new one, so you do not lose anything if you decide to switch back.
Download and install the browser on Windows
Go to the official website for the browser you want — for example, google.com/chrome for Chrome, mozilla.org for Firefox, or microsoft.com/edge for Edge. Look for a download button, usually near the top of the page. Click it and the installer file will download to your computer.
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the installer file. A window will appear asking you to confirm the installation. Click the button to proceed. The browser will install itself and may open automatically when finished. You do not need to do anything else at this stage.
Set your new browser as the default on Windows
Right-click the Start button in the bottom left corner and select Settings. In the Settings window, click Apps on the left side, then Default apps. Scroll down until you see Default browser and click on it. A list of installed browsers will appear. Click the one you just installed.
Windows will ask you to confirm. Click the button to set it as default. From now on, when you click a link in an email, document, or website, it will open in your new browser instead of the old one.
Import your bookmarks and passwords on Windows
Open your new browser and look for a menu button — usually three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Click it and search for a word like "Import" or "Settings." Most browsers have an import feature that can read your bookmarks, passwords, and history from your old browser automatically.
Click the import option and select your old browser from the list. The new browser will scan your computer, find your saved information, and move it over. This usually takes less than a minute. When it finishes, your bookmarks will appear in your new browser's bookmark bar, and your saved passwords will be available when you log into websites.
Change your default browser on Mac
Download your new browser from its official website the same way as on Windows. Open the installer file and drag the browser icon into the Applications folder. The browser is now installed.
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click General on the left side, then scroll down to Default web browser. Click the dropdown menu and select your new browser from the list. Mac will remember this choice and open links with your new browser from now on.
Import bookmarks and passwords on Mac
Open your new browser and click its name in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Preferences or Settings. Look for an Import or Import Data option. Click it and select your old browser from the list. Your new browser will move over your bookmarks, passwords, and history.
If you cannot find an import option in the menu, try looking in the browser's main settings. Most browsers bury this feature in slightly different places, but all of them have it. You can also search the browser's help documentation by typing the browser name and "import bookmarks" into a search engine.
Change your default browser on iPhone or Android
Download your new browser from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app once to make sure it installed correctly.
On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down to find your new browser's name, and tap it. Select Default Browser App and confirm your choice. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, then tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Default apps. Select Browser app and choose your new browser.
Importing bookmarks on a phone is less automatic than on a computer. Most browsers let you sign in with an account — Gmail for Chrome, a Firefox account for Firefox — and sync your bookmarks that way. Check your new browser's settings for a sync or sign-in option.
What to do if your old browser will not import
If your new browser cannot find your old one, or if the import fails, you can export your bookmarks manually. Open your old browser and look for a menu option called Export Bookmarks or Download Bookmarks. This creates a file on your computer. Then open your new browser, find its import option, and select that file.
If you cannot find an export option in your old browser, you can also sign into websites manually in your new browser and let it save your passwords as you go. This takes longer but works just as well. Your bookmarks are less critical — you can recreate them by visiting your favorite sites and bookmarking them again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to uninstall my old browser?
No. You can keep as many browsers installed as you want. Many people use one browser for work and another for personal browsing, or keep an old browser around as a backup. Uninstalling is optional and only saves disk space if your computer is running low on storage.
Will I lose my passwords if I switch browsers?
No, as long as you use the import feature. When you import from your old browser, your new one copies all your saved passwords. If you skip the import step, you can still sign into websites manually and let your new browser save the passwords as you log in.
What if I change my mind and want to switch back?
You can switch back anytime. Just repeat the same process with your old browser — download it again if you uninstalled it, set it as default, and import from your new browser. Nothing is permanent, and you have not lost any information by trying something new.
Can I use more than one browser at the same time?
Yes. You can open multiple browsers and use them side by side. Some people use one browser for banking and another for general browsing, or open different browsers in different windows. Setting a default just means which one opens when you click a link — it does not stop you from using the others.
Why would I want to change browsers?
Different browsers use different amounts of memory, have different privacy settings, and work better with certain websites. Some are faster, some are more private, and some work better with specific tools or extensions. Trying a new browser costs nothing and takes ten minutes, so it is worth experimenting to find what works best for you.