How to set Google as your default browser

To make Google Chrome your default browser, you go into your device's settings and tell it to open web links with Chrome instead of whatever browser currently handles them. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — each operating system has its own settings menu for this. Once you change it, any link you click from email, text messages, or other apps will open in Chrome automatically.

You do not need to uninstall your current browser or do anything complicated. The change takes effect immediately and you can switch back to a different default browser anytime by following the same process.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, find Chrome, and select it as your default browser.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then Default Web Browser, and choose Google Chrome from the dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap Default Browser App, and select Chrome.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, find Chrome, select it, then tap Set as Default and choose Open Supported Links.
  • You can change your default browser back to a different one at any time using the same settings menus.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Apps" in the left sidebar, then click "Default Apps" near the top of the page.

Scroll down until you see "Web Browser" listed with your current default browser shown next to it. Click on that browser name, and a window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Find "Google Chrome" in that list and click on it. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and Chrome is now your default browser.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings." In the sidebar, click "General," then look for "Default Web Browser" near the bottom of the main panel.

Click the dropdown menu next to "Default Web Browser" and select "Google Chrome" from the list. If Chrome does not appear in the list, make sure you have downloaded and installed it first. The change takes effect immediately without requiring a restart.

Setting Chrome as default on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down until you find "Chrome" in the list of apps. Tap on Chrome to open its settings page.

Look for "Default Browser App" and tap it. A list of available browsers will appear. Select "Chrome" from that list. Your iPhone will now open all web links in Chrome by default. This setting was added in iOS 14, so if you have an older iPhone you may not see this option.

Setting Chrome as default on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap "Apps" or "Applications," depending on your phone model. Find "Google Chrome" in the list and tap it.

Tap "Set as Default" or "Default Apps," then select "Open Supported Links." Choose "Chrome" from the options that appear. Some Android phones may phrase this slightly differently — you might see "Default Browser" or "Browser App" instead — but the location and process are similar across most Android devices.

What happens after you change your default browser

Once Chrome is set as default, any link you click from email, text messages, social media apps, or other applications will open in Chrome instead of your previous browser. Bookmarks and passwords you saved in other browsers will not automatically move to Chrome — you can import them separately if you want to use them in Chrome.

Your old browser will still be installed on your device and you can still open it manually anytime. Setting a new default browser does not remove or disable the old one, it just changes which one opens automatically when you click a link.

Changing your default browser back

If you decide you want a different browser as your default, follow the same steps you used to set Chrome as default, but select a different browser name instead. You can switch between browsers as many times as you want — there is no limit to how often you can change your default.

Some browsers, like Edge on Windows or Safari on Mac, may prompt you to set them as default when you first open them. You can dismiss these prompts and keep Chrome as your default, or click through them to switch. The choice is yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall my old browser to make Chrome the default?

No. Changing your default browser does not remove or disable any other browsers on your device. Your old browser stays installed and you can still open it manually whenever you want. Setting a default browser only changes which one opens automatically when you click a link.

Will my bookmarks and passwords move to Chrome automatically?

No, they will not move automatically. If you want to use your bookmarks and passwords in Chrome, you can import them manually. In Chrome, click the menu button (three vertical dots), select "Bookmarks," then "Import Bookmarks and Settings," and choose your old browser from the list.

Can I set Chrome as default on a work computer?

It depends on your company's policies. Some workplaces restrict which software you can install or configure. Check with your IT department before making changes to a work computer. On personal devices you own, you can set any default browser you want.

What if Chrome does not appear in my default browser list?

Chrome may not be installed on your device yet. Download it from google.com/chrome, install it, then return to your settings and follow the steps above. After installation, Chrome should appear in your default browser options.

Will changing my default browser affect my Google account or search history?

No. Your Google account, search history, and saved data in Chrome are separate from which browser is set as default. Changing your default browser does not affect any of your Google services or data.