What changing your default browser does

Your default browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, document, or text message. Changing it means picking a different program — like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — to handle those links instead. The change affects only your device; it does not change what browser other people use.

You can have multiple browsers installed and switch between them whenever you want. Changing the default just means you are choosing which one opens by itself when you are not actively picking one.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select your browser from the list next to "Web browser".
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default web browser and choose from the dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > [Browser Name] and select "Default Browser App".
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default apps and tap "Browser app" to pick a new one.
  • The change takes effect immediately, but some older programs may still open their own browser instead of respecting your default.

Changing your default browser on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Apps" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Default apps".

Scroll down the list until you see "Web browser". Click on the current browser name next to it — it will probably say "Microsoft Edge" or whatever you are currently using. A window will pop up showing all the browsers you have installed. Click the one you want to use as your default.

The change happens immediately. The next time you click a link outside of a browser, your new default will open it. If you later want to switch back, follow the same steps and pick a different browser.

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 appear showing every browser you have installed. Click the one you want to use. The change takes effect right away. If you do not see your browser in the list, it may not be installed yet — you would need to download it from the App Store or the browser's website first.

Changing your default browser on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and scroll down until you find the name of the browser you want to use as your default — for example, "Chrome" or "Firefox". Tap it to open that browser's settings.

Look for an option called "Default Browser App" and tap it. You will see a list of browsers you have installed. Tap the one you want to set as default. Some browsers may not offer this option if they are older versions; if you do not see it, try updating the browser from the App Store.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app and tap "Apps". Look for an option called "Default apps" — on some Android phones it may say "Default applications" instead. Tap it.

Find "Browser app" or "Web browser" in the list and tap it. You will see all the browsers installed on your phone. Tap the one you want to use as your default. The change takes effect immediately.

If you do not see the browser you want in the list, it is not installed yet. You can download it from the Google Play Store, then return to this same menu and set it as default.

What to do if your default browser is not changing

Sometimes you will set a new default browser and links will still open in the old one. This usually happens because an older program on your computer is hardcoded to use a specific browser and ignores your system default.

The easiest fix is to uninstall the program that is not respecting your choice, or update it to the newest version. If you need to keep the program, you can still use your new default browser by opening it manually and typing the link into the address bar yourself.

On Windows, you can also check if a browser is set as default for a specific file type. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and scroll down to "File type defaults". If you see your old browser listed there for .html or .htm files, click it and change it to your new browser.

Switching between browsers without changing your default

You do not have to change your default browser to use a different one. You can keep your current default and still open any other browser whenever you want — just click its icon on your desktop, taskbar, or home screen.

Many people keep one browser as their default but use others for specific tasks. For example, you might use Chrome as your default but open Firefox when you want extra privacy, or Safari on Mac because it uses less battery. Having multiple browsers installed costs almost no space and gives you options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in the browser where you created them. If you switch to a new browser, you will start with an empty bookmarks list in that browser. You can import your bookmarks from your old browser into the new one through the new browser's settings menu.

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

Not on most devices. Your system default applies to all links. However, you can manually choose which browser to use each time by right-clicking a link and selecting "Open with" on Windows, or long-pressing a link on mobile and choosing a browser from the menu.

What if I cannot find my browser in the default apps list?

The browser may not be installed yet, or it may be too old to support being set as a default. Download the latest version from the official website or app store, then check the default apps menu again. If it still does not appear, the browser may not support this feature.

Does changing my default browser affect other people who use this device?

On shared computers, changing the default browser affects everyone who logs in with the same account. If multiple people have separate accounts on the device, each account can have its own default browser. Change the default while logged into your account, and other accounts will keep their own settings.

Can I change my default browser back to what it was before?

Yes, anytime. Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time, and pick your old browser from the list. There is no limit to how many times you can switch your default.