Set Google Chrome as your default browser in three steps

Making Google Chrome your default browser means that when you click a link in an email, document, or app, Chrome opens instead of whatever browser you're currently using. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, but the process takes less than a minute on any device.

On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find your current browser, click it, and select Chrome from the list. On Mac, open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default browser, and click "Make Google Chrome the default browser." On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and choose Chrome. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select Chrome.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users find the default browser setting in Settings > Apps > Default apps, where they can switch from their current browser to Chrome in one click.
  • Mac users open Chrome itself and use the Settings menu to set it as default, rather than going through System Preferences.
  • iPhone and Android both require going into device Settings rather than opening Chrome first, since iOS and Android control which app handles links.
  • Once set, Chrome will open automatically when you click links in emails, documents, PDFs, and other apps across your device.

Windows: Using the Settings app

On Windows 10 and 11, the default browser setting lives in the Settings app rather than in individual browser menus. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app when it appears.

Once Settings opens, click "Apps" in the left sidebar, then click "Default apps." Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed (usually Microsoft Edge on a new Windows machine). Click on it, and a menu will appear showing available browsers. Select "Google Chrome" from the list. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and Chrome is now your default.

Mac: Changing the default from inside Chrome

On Mac, you don't go to System Preferences. Instead, open Chrome itself, then click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select "Settings." In the left sidebar, click "Default browser," and you'll see a button that says "Make Google Chrome the default browser." Click it once, and your Mac will ask you to confirm. Chrome is now set as default.

If the button is grayed out or says Chrome is already default, your Mac has already recognized Chrome as the default browser. You can close Settings and move on.

iPhone: Setting Chrome through iOS Settings

On iPhone, you cannot set a default browser from within Chrome itself. Instead, open the Settings app on your home screen, scroll down and tap "Apps," then tap "Default Browser App." You'll see a list of installed browsers. Tap "Chrome," and iOS will set it as your default. Any link you tap in Safari, Mail, Messages, or other apps will now open in Chrome instead.

This setting was added in iOS 14, so if you're running an older version of iOS, you won't see a Default Browser App option. In that case, you can still use Chrome, but Safari will remain the default for links.

Android: Choosing Chrome in the default apps menu

On Android, open the Settings app, scroll down and tap "Apps," then tap "Default apps." Look for "Browser app" in the list (the exact name varies slightly by Android version and manufacturer). Tap it, and select "Chrome" from the options. Android will confirm the change, and Chrome is now your default browser.

Some Android phones organize Settings differently. If you don't see "Default apps" directly under "Apps," look for "Default applications" or search for "default browser" in the Settings search bar at the top of the app.

What happens after you change your default

Once Chrome is set as default, clicking any link in an email, text message, document, or app will open that link in Chrome instead of your previous browser. This applies to links in Gmail, Outlook, Word documents, PDFs, social media apps, and anywhere else you encounter a clickable web address.

You can still open other browsers manually if you want to use them for a specific task. Setting a default doesn't prevent you from using Safari, Edge, Firefox, or any other browser — it just determines which one opens automatically when you click a link.

Changing your default browser back

If you decide later that you want a different browser as your default, the process is identical: go back to the same menu where you set Chrome as default, and select a different browser instead. You can change your default browser as many times as you want, and there's no penalty for doing so.

Some people set different defaults at different times depending on what they're doing. For example, you might use Chrome as your default most of the time, but switch to Edge temporarily if you're working with Microsoft Office documents online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history from other browsers?

No. Changing your default browser only affects which app opens when you click a link. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords in Safari, Edge, or Firefox remain exactly where they are. Each browser keeps its own separate data.

Can I set Chrome as default on just one device if I use multiple devices?

Yes. Your default browser setting is specific to each device. You can set Chrome as default on your phone and keep Safari as default on your Mac, or any other combination. The settings don't sync across devices.

What if Chrome doesn't appear in the list of available browsers?

Chrome must be installed on your device before you can set it as default. If you don't see Chrome in the browser list, download it first from the Chrome website or your device's app store, then return to the default browser settings and select it.

Does setting Chrome as default make it faster?

No. Your default browser setting only determines which app opens when you click a link. It doesn't change how fast Chrome runs or how it performs. Speed depends on your internet connection, your device's hardware, and which websites you visit.

Can I set Chrome as default on a work computer?

Usually yes, but some workplaces restrict which software you can install or configure. If your work computer is managed by your employer's IT department, they may have locked the default browser setting. Contact your IT support if you're unable to change it.