Set Google Chrome as your default browser in three steps
To make Google Chrome your default browser, you open your device's settings, find the default browser option, and select Chrome from the list. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — each operating system keeps this setting in a different place. Once you change it, all links you click outside of other apps will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser came with your device.
You do not need to uninstall your current browser or download anything extra. The change takes effect immediately and you can switch back anytime by following the same steps with a different browser.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps, search for Chrome, and select it as your default browser.
- On Mac, open Chrome, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Default browser, and click "Make Google Chrome the default browser".
- On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap Default Browser App, and select Chrome.
- On Android, open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps > Browser app, and choose Chrome.
- Changing your default browser does not affect your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history in other browsers.
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 pressing Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps.
Scroll down the list until you see Web browser. Click on whatever browser is currently listed there — it will usually say Microsoft Edge. A menu will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click Google Chrome. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and you are done.
If Chrome does not appear in the list, you need to install it first. Go to google.com/chrome, download the installer, and run it. Then return to Settings and repeat the steps above.
How to set Chrome as default on Mac
Open Google Chrome and click the Chrome menu in the top left corner of the screen. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
In the left sidebar, click Default browser. You will see a button that says Make Google Chrome the default browser. Click it. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm — click Open. Mac will switch your default browser to Chrome and close the dialog.
If the button says "Google Chrome is already your default browser", then Chrome is already set as your default and no action is needed.
How to set Chrome as default on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down until you find Chrome in the list of apps — you may need to scroll quite far, as the list is alphabetical.
Tap Chrome. At the top of the screen, tap Default Browser App. Select Chrome from the list of options. Your iPhone will remember this choice, and all links from emails, messages, and web pages will now open in Chrome.
This setting only affects links you click in other apps. If you open Safari directly, it will still open in Safari — changing the default browser only changes what happens when you tap a link elsewhere.
How to set Chrome as default on Android
Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Apps or Applications — the exact name varies by phone manufacturer.
Tap Default apps or Default applications. Look for an option called Browser app or Web browser. Tap it and select Chrome from the list. Android will save the change immediately.
Some Android phones organize settings differently. If you cannot find Default apps, try searching for "default browser" in the Settings search bar at the top of the app.
What happens when you change your default browser
Changing your default browser affects only links you click in other apps — emails, text messages, social media, news articles, and so on. It does not change anything about the other browser. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history in Edge, Safari, or Firefox stay exactly where they are.
You can still open other browsers anytime by clicking their icons on your desktop or home screen. Changing the default just means that when you click a link somewhere else, Chrome opens instead of whatever was the default before.
If you change your mind later, you can switch back to a different default browser by following the same steps and selecting a different browser at the end.
Why you might want a different default browser
Some people prefer Chrome because it syncs bookmarks and passwords across devices if you sign in with a Google account. Others use Edge because it comes built into Windows and integrates with Microsoft services. Firefox is an option if you want a browser that does not track your browsing for advertising purposes.
Your choice of default browser does not lock you in — you can switch back and forth as often as you want, and you can use multiple browsers at the same time. Some people keep Chrome as their default but use Safari or Firefox for banking or shopping because they trust those browsers more with sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser delete my history or bookmarks in other browsers?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history in Edge, Safari, or Firefox remain unchanged. Changing the default browser only affects which app opens when you click a link outside of a browser — it does not touch any data stored in other browsers.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. Your operating system allows only one default browser. However, you can manually choose which browser to use each time by right-clicking a link and selecting "Open with" on Windows or Mac, or by long-pressing a link on mobile.
What if Chrome does not show up in my default browser options?
Chrome is not installed on your device. Go to google.com/chrome on any browser, download the installer, and run it. Once installation finishes, return to your default browser settings and Chrome will appear in the list.
Do I need to uninstall my old default browser to use Chrome?
No. You can keep Edge, Safari, Firefox, or any other browser installed and switch between them anytime. Changing the default only changes what opens when you click a link in another app — it does not remove or disable other browsers.
Will my Chrome bookmarks and passwords sync across my devices?
Yes, if you sign into Chrome with your Google account on each device. Go to Chrome Settings, click "Sign in to Chrome" at the top, and enter your Google email. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history will sync across all devices where you are signed in.