Set Google as your default browser in three steps

Making Google your default browser means that when you click a link in an email, document, or app, it opens in Google Chrome instead of whatever browser you're currently using. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android — you're just telling your device which browser to use by default.

The steps differ slightly depending on your device, but the principle is identical: you go into your browser settings, find the "default browser" option, and select Chrome. If you haven't installed Chrome yet, you'll need to download it first from google.com/chrome.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows and Mac, open Chrome, go to Settings, then System, and select Chrome as your default browser.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and choose Chrome from the list.
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Browser App and select Chrome.
  • Your device may ask you to confirm the change, but once you do, all links will open in Chrome automatically.
  • You can change your default browser back to another browser at any time using the same steps.

How to set Chrome as default on Windows

Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click System, then look for the section labeled Default browser.

You'll see a button that says Make default or shows another browser's name. Click that button. Windows will open a small window asking you to confirm — click Chrome from the list of browsers, then click Set as default. After this, all links from emails, documents, and other apps will open in Chrome.

If you don't see the Make default button, it means Chrome is already your default browser. You can verify this by checking that same Settings > System > Default browser section — it should show a checkmark next to Chrome.

How to set Chrome as default on Mac

Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click System, then find Default browser.

Click the dropdown menu that currently shows your default browser (usually Safari on a new Mac). Select Google Chrome from the list. That's it — Mac doesn't require a confirmation step like Windows does. Any link you click outside of Chrome will now open in Chrome instead.

If the dropdown already shows Chrome, your default is already set correctly. You can close Settings and move on.

How to set Chrome as default on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone (the gray gear icon). Scroll down and look for Chrome in the list of apps — you may need to scroll quite far, as the list is alphabetical. Tap Chrome.

Look for an option called Default Browser App and tap it. You'll see a list of available browsers. Tap Chrome to select it as your default. The checkmark will move to Chrome, and you're done. From now on, links in Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in Chrome.

If you don't see Chrome in your Settings app, it means you haven't installed it yet. Go to the App Store, search for "Google Chrome," and tap Get to download it. Then return to Settings and follow the steps above.

How to set Chrome as default on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Apps (sometimes labeled Applications). Look for Default apps or Default applications and tap it.

Find Browser app or Browser in the list. Tap it, and you'll see a list of browsers installed on your phone. Select Chrome. Android will confirm the change immediately, and all links from emails, text messages, and other apps will now open in Chrome.

If Chrome doesn't appear in the browser list, you need to install it first. Open Google Play Store, search for "Google Chrome," and tap Install. Once it's installed, return to Settings and follow the steps above.

What to do if Chrome won't appear as an option

If you've followed the steps for your device but Chrome doesn't show up in the default browser list, the most common reason is that Chrome isn't fully installed yet. Restart your device after installing Chrome — this forces your device to recognize the new app.

On Windows, if Chrome still doesn't appear, try restarting Chrome itself. Close it completely (including any background processes) and open it again. Then go back to Settings > System > Default browser and try clicking Make default again.

On Mac, if the dropdown menu in Chrome Settings > System > Default browser is empty or won't let you select Chrome, restart your Mac entirely. This usually fixes the issue.

How to change your default browser back

If you decide you want to use a different browser as your default, the process is identical to setting Chrome. Go to your device's Settings, find the Default Browser or Default Apps section, and select a different browser from the list. Your device will switch immediately.

You can change your default browser as many times as you want. There's no penalty or lock-in — it's purely a preference setting that you control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?

No. Setting Chrome as your default browser only changes which browser opens when you click a link. All your other browsers remain installed and you can still open them manually whenever you want.

Do I need to be an administrator to change my default browser on Windows?

No. Any user account on a Windows computer can change their own default browser. The change only affects that user account, not the whole computer.

What if I use multiple browsers and want different defaults for different things?

Your device only allows one default browser at a time. However, you can manually choose which browser to use for any individual link — right-click the link and select "Open with" to pick a specific browser.

Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay exactly where they are. Changing your default browser only changes which app opens when you click a link — it doesn't touch any of your data.

Can I set Chrome as default on a work computer?

Usually yes, but some work computers have restrictions set by your IT department that prevent changing the default browser. If you can't find the default browser setting, contact your IT support team — they may need to make the change for you.