Set Chrome as your default browser in three steps

Making Chrome your default browser means that when you click a link in an email, document, or app, it opens in Chrome instead of whatever browser you're currently using. The process is straightforward and takes less than a minute on any device.

On Windows and Mac, you'll go into your system settings. On phones and tablets, you'll use your device settings or Chrome's own menu. The exact steps depend on what device you're using, but the goal is the same: tell your operating system that Chrome is the browser you want to use by default.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, find your current browser, and select Chrome as the replacement.
  • Mac users open System Settings, click General, select Default web browser, and choose Google Chrome from the dropdown menu.
  • iPhone and iPad users must change the default in Settings under Apps, then Default Browser App, because iOS requires this step in system settings rather than in Chrome itself.
  • Android users can set Chrome as default through Chrome's settings menu or through their device's Apps settings, depending on their Android version.
  • Once you change the default, all links from emails, texts, and other apps will open in Chrome automatically.

How to set Chrome as default on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on Apps in the left sidebar, then select Default apps from the menu that appears.

Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed (it might say Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or Safari). Click on that browser name, and a window will pop up showing you available browsers. Select Google Chrome from the list and click Set default. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and you're done.

If you don't see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome isn't installed on your computer yet. You'll need to download it from google.com/chrome first, then return to this same Settings screen to set it as default.

How to set Chrome as default on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences if you're on an older Mac). Click General in the left sidebar, then look for Default web browser near the bottom of the window.

Click the dropdown menu next to "Default web browser" and select Google Chrome from the list. The change takes effect immediately. Close System Settings, and all links will now open in Chrome by default.

If Chrome doesn't appear in the dropdown, make sure it's installed by opening Finder, clicking Applications, and looking for Google Chrome. If it's not there, download it from google.com/chrome first.

How to set Chrome as default on iPhone and iPad

Unlike Android, iPhones and iPads require you to change the default browser through your device settings, not through the Chrome app itself. Open the Settings app on your home screen, then scroll down and tap Apps.

Tap Default Browser App and select Chrome from the list. You'll see a checkmark appear next to Chrome, confirming the change. From that point on, links in Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in Chrome.

If you don't see Chrome in the Default Browser App list, it means Chrome isn't installed. Open the App Store, search for "Google Chrome," and tap Get to download it, then return to Settings to set it as default.

How to set Chrome as default on Android phones and tablets

The process on Android varies slightly depending on your device's Android version, but the most direct route is through Chrome itself. Open the Chrome app, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, and select Settings.

Tap Apps and notifications, then Default apps. Tap Browser app and select Chrome. The change takes effect immediately. If you don't see this menu, your Android version may require you to set the default through your device's main Settings app instead: open Settings, tap Apps, find your current default browser, and look for a "Set as default" option.

Some Android devices show a popup asking you to choose a default browser the first time you click a link after installing Chrome. If you see this popup, simply tap Chrome and select Always to make it your permanent default.

What happens after you change your default browser

Once Chrome is set as your default, every link you click in emails, text messages, documents, and other apps will open in Chrome instead of your previous browser. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history remain in their original locations—changing the default browser doesn't move or delete anything.

You can still open other browsers manually if you need to. Setting Chrome as default only affects what happens when you click a link; it doesn't prevent you from using Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser whenever you choose to open them directly.

Troubleshooting: Chrome doesn't appear as an option

If Chrome isn't showing up in your default browser list, the most common reason is that it isn't installed yet. Download Chrome from google.com/chrome on the device you're trying to set it up on, wait for the installation to finish, and then return to your settings to set it as default.

On Windows, if Chrome still doesn't appear after installation, restart your computer and try again. On Mac, make sure Chrome is in your Applications folder—if it's on your Desktop or Downloads folder, move it to Applications first. On mobile devices, force-close the Settings app and reopen it to refresh the list of available browsers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my history or passwords from my old browser?

No. Changing your default browser only changes which app opens when you click a link. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history stay in the browser where they were saved. If you want to move them to Chrome, you can import them through Chrome's settings menu.

Can I have multiple default browsers?

No. Your operating system allows only one default browser at a time. However, you can open any browser manually whenever you want—setting a default only affects what happens automatically when you click a link.

What if I change my mind and want to switch back to my old browser?

Follow the same steps you used to set Chrome as default, but select your previous browser instead. The process is identical and takes about a minute.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the default browser?

On Windows and Mac, the change takes effect immediately and you don't need to restart. On mobile devices, you may need to close and reopen the Settings app, but a full restart isn't necessary.

Why do some links still open in my old browser after I changed the default?

Some apps, particularly older ones, have their own built-in browsers and ignore your system default. This is common with social media apps and email clients. You can usually work around this by copying the link and pasting it into Chrome manually, or by checking the app's settings to see if it has its own browser preference option.