Set Chrome as default in three steps
To make Google Chrome your default browser on Mac, open Chrome, go to Settings, find the Default Browser section, and click "Make Default". macOS will then ask you to confirm by opening System Settings and selecting Chrome from the dropdown menu next to "Default web browser". After that, any link you click from email, documents, or other apps will open in Chrome instead of Safari.
The process takes about one minute and works the same way whether you're on an Intel Mac or an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3). You need to be logged into your Mac user account to change this setting.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's Settings menu has a "Make Default" button that starts the process, but macOS requires a second confirmation step in System Settings.
- If the "Make Default" button is grayed out, Chrome is already your default browser.
- Changing your default browser does not uninstall Safari or remove it from your Mac — both browsers can exist side by side.
- You can switch back to Safari or another browser as default at any time using the same method.
Step-by-step: Chrome Settings to System Settings
Open Google Chrome on your Mac. In the top-left corner of the window, click the Chrome menu (the three horizontal lines), then select Settings from the dropdown.
On the left side of the Settings page, click "Default browser". You will see a section that says "Make Google Chrome your default browser" with a blue button labeled "Make Default". Click that button.
macOS will open System Settings automatically and take you to the General tab. Look for the row labeled "Default web browser" — it currently shows Safari or another browser. Click the dropdown menu and select "Google Chrome" from the list. That's it. Chrome is now your default.
What happens when Chrome is your default
Once Chrome is set as default, clicking a link in Mail, Messages, Notes, or any other app will open that link in Chrome instead of Safari. Links in PDFs, Word documents, and web pages will also open in Chrome. This applies to http:// and https:// links — the standard web addresses.
Some older apps or specialized links (like ftp:// addresses) may still open in Safari or another browser, depending on how the app was built. This is normal and not something you can change in most cases.
If the Make Default button is grayed out
A grayed-out button means Chrome is already your default browser. You do not need to do anything. To confirm, go to System Settings, click General, and look at the "Default web browser" dropdown — it should show "Google Chrome".
If you want to switch to a different browser, use the same dropdown in System Settings. You do not need to open that browser's settings first.
Switching back to Safari or another browser
To make Safari your default again, open System Settings, click General, find "Default web browser", and select "Safari" from the dropdown. You do not need to open Safari's settings or do anything inside the app itself.
The same method works for Firefox, Edge, Opera, or any other browser installed on your Mac. Just select the browser name from the dropdown. Changing your default does not affect the other browsers — they stay on your Mac and work normally.
Why your default browser matters
Your default browser is the one that opens automatically when you click a link outside of a web browser. If you use Chrome for work or prefer its features, setting it as default saves you the step of copying a link and pasting it into Chrome manually. It also means your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords in Chrome will be used when you follow links from other apps.
Changing your default browser does not affect which browser you use when you actively open one — you can still click Safari's icon in the Dock and use Safari whenever you want. Default browser is just about what happens when a link finds you, not when you go looking for a browser.
Troubleshooting: Chrome won't stay as default
If you set Chrome as default and it keeps switching back to Safari, restart your Mac and try again. Sometimes macOS needs a restart to apply the change fully. Open Chrome, go to Settings, click "Default browser", and click "Make Default" once more.
If the problem continues, check that you are logged into your Mac user account with administrator rights. You need admin access to change system-wide settings like the default browser. If you are on a shared Mac or a work computer, your administrator may have locked this setting — in that case, you will not be able to change it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does setting Chrome as default delete Safari?
No. Safari stays on your Mac and works exactly as before. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens when you click a link from outside a browser. You can still use Safari whenever you want by clicking its icon in the Dock or Applications folder.
Will my Chrome bookmarks and passwords work when I click links from Mail?
Yes. When Chrome is your default browser, links from Mail and other apps open in Chrome using your Chrome profile, so your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history are all there. If you were using Safari before, you will not see Safari's bookmarks in Chrome unless you import them first.
Can I set different default browsers for different apps?
No. macOS only allows one system-wide default browser. All apps will use the browser you select in System Settings. Some individual apps (like Slack or Discord) let you choose which browser opens links within that app, but the system default applies everywhere else.
What if I want Chrome as default but Safari to open links from a specific app?
macOS does not support per-app default browsers at the system level. However, some apps like Slack have their own browser settings inside the app. Check the app's preferences or settings menu to see if it offers a browser choice. For most apps, you are stuck with the system default.
Do I need to be connected to the internet to change my default browser?
No. Changing your default browser is a local Mac setting that does not require an internet connection. You can do it offline, and the change will take effect immediately.