Safari uses Google by default, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia in under a minute

When you type in Safari's address bar without a web address, it searches using Google. If you want a different search engine, you change it in Safari's settings — not in the browser itself. The process is the same whether you use Safari on Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Your search engine choice sticks across all your devices if you use iCloud to sync your Safari settings. If you change it on your Mac, it changes on your iPhone too, unless you turn off syncing.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's search engine setting lives in the Settings app (iPhone and iPad) or System Settings (Mac), not in Safari itself.
  • You can choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia — the option you pick applies to all searches in the address bar.
  • If you use iCloud sync, changing your search engine on one device changes it on all your Apple devices.
  • You can also set a different search engine just for private browsing windows, separate from your regular searches.

How to change the search engine on Mac

Open System Settings and click Safari in the sidebar. Scroll down to the Search section. Click the dropdown next to "Search engine" and pick the one you want: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia. That's it — Safari uses your choice the next time you search.

If you want a different search engine only when you use private browsing, there's a separate dropdown for that right below. You can use Google for normal browsing and DuckDuckGo for private browsing, for example.

How to change the search engine on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Safari. Tap it. Scroll down to the Search section and tap "Search Engine." You'll see five options: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Ecosia. Tap the one you want.

Just like on Mac, there's a separate setting for "Private Search Engine" below it if you want different behavior in private browsing mode. Tap that dropdown to set a separate choice for private tabs.

What each search engine does differently

Google is the default and shows results from the largest index of web pages. It learns from your search history if you're signed into a Google account.

Bing is Microsoft's search engine. It powers search on Windows computers and integrates with Microsoft services if you use them.

DuckDuckGo doesn't track your searches or build a profile of your interests. Each search starts fresh with no history attached. It's the choice if you want less tracking.

Yahoo shows results powered by Bing but with Yahoo's interface and features. It's useful if you have a Yahoo email account and want everything in one place.

Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees — it uses its search revenue to fund tree-planting projects. The search results come from Bing's index.

How to check which search engine you're using right now

On Mac, open System Settings, click Safari, and look at the "Search engine" dropdown in the Search section. Whatever is selected there is what Safari uses.

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Safari, and look at the "Search Engine" option. The name shown next to it is your current choice.

If you're not sure whether a search is using your default engine or a private one, check the address bar color. Private browsing windows have a darker address bar than regular ones.

Why your search engine might not have changed

If you changed the setting but Safari still uses the old search engine, you probably have a browser extension installed that overrides your choice. Extensions can hijack the search engine setting. Check Safari's settings for Extensions (on Mac, that's Safari menu > Settings > Extensions; on iPhone, it's Settings > Safari > Extensions). Disable or remove any extension you don't recognize or don't use.

Another reason: if you're signed into multiple Apple accounts on the same device, make sure you changed the setting while signed into the account you actually use. Settings are tied to the account that's active in System Settings or the Settings app.

How to set different search engines for regular and private browsing

You might want Google for everyday searching but DuckDuckGo when you're in a private window. Safari lets you do this. On Mac, open System Settings, click Safari, and scroll to Search. Set "Search engine" to your everyday choice, then set "Private Search Engine" to something different. On iPhone or iPad, do the same in Settings > Safari > Search Engine and Private Search Engine.

Private browsing windows won't save your history, cookies, or search history, and they'll use whichever search engine you picked for private mode. Regular tabs use your regular search engine choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a search engine that's not in the list?

No, Safari only offers those five built-in options. If you want a different search engine, you'd need to visit that search engine's website directly and search from there, or use a different browser.

Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or history?

No. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay exactly the same. Only new searches use the new search engine.

If I change the search engine on my iPhone, does it change on my Mac too?

Yes, if you have iCloud sync turned on for Safari. Both devices use the same Apple account and sync settings automatically. If you don't want them synced, turn off Safari syncing in iCloud settings on one of the devices.

What if I want to search with a different engine just one time?

Visit that search engine's website directly in Safari and search from there. For example, go to duckduckgo.com and search, even if your default is Google. That single search uses DuckDuckGo.

Does changing the search engine make Safari faster or slower?

No. Speed depends on your internet connection and how busy the search engine's servers are, not which engine you pick. All five options work at similar speeds.