Setting Google as your default search engine

Most browsers ship with a default search engine already chosen — often Bing on Windows or Safari's own search on Apple devices. You can change this to Google in your browser's settings, usually in under a minute. The exact steps depend on which browser you use, but the principle is the same across all of them: you open settings, find the search section, and pick Google from a list.

This is different from setting a default browser itself (which determines what opens when you click a link). This article covers changing your search engine within whatever browser you already use. If you want to change which browser opens by default on your computer or phone, that's a separate setting in your operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change your default search engine to Google through their settings menu without installing anything extra.
  • On Windows, you can also set Google as default through Settings > Apps > Default apps if your browser doesn't offer the option directly.
  • On Mac and iPhone, Safari's search settings are in Safari > Settings (Mac) or Settings > Safari (iPhone), and you pick Google from the search engine list.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history — it only changes what happens when you search from the address bar.
  • Some websites and browser extensions can try to change your default search engine without asking; you can always change it back the same way you set it.

How to set Google as default in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Search engine in the left sidebar. Under "Search engine used in the address bar," you'll see a dropdown menu — click it and select Google. If Google isn't listed, click Manage search engines, find Google in the list, and click the three dots next to it, then select Make default.

Chrome usually has Google set as default already, so you may find it's already selected. If you've never changed it and Google isn't showing, it means your device or network has a different configuration — in that case, the "Manage search engines" step will let you add Google manually and set it as default.

How to set Google as default in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings, then click Search in the left sidebar. Under "Default Search Engine," click the dropdown and select Google. Firefox will immediately switch to using Google when you search from the address bar.

If you want Google to be your default for the search bar specifically (the separate box on the home page), there's a second dropdown below the first one labeled "Search Shortcuts." You can set that to Google as well, though most people only need to change the address bar default.

How to set Google as default in Safari

On a Mac, click Safari in the menu bar at the top, then select Settings. Click the Search tab. Under "Search engine," click the dropdown and select Google.

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app (not Safari itself), scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Search Engine. Select Google from the list. Safari will now use Google for any searches you perform from the address bar or search widget.

How to set Google as default in Microsoft Edge

Click the three dots in the top right corner of Edge and select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Scroll down to "Search engine" and click the dropdown, then select Google. Edge will switch immediately.

If Google doesn't appear in the dropdown, click Manage search engines below it. Find Google in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Make default. This is rare on Edge since Google is usually available by default, but the option exists if you need it.

What to do if Google won't stay as your default

Some browser extensions and websites can change your default search engine without your permission. If you set Google as default and it keeps switching back, check your installed extensions first. Open your browser's extension or add-ons menu, look for anything unfamiliar or related to search, and remove it. Then set Google as default again.

If the problem persists, your browser may have been configured by your workplace or school. Contact your IT department to ask whether search engine settings are locked. On personal devices, you can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the browser, which will reset all settings to factory defaults — though this will also remove your bookmarks and saved passwords unless you back them up first.

Difference between default search engine and default browser

Your default search engine is what appears when you type a question into the address bar or search box. Your default browser is which program opens when you click a link in an email, document, or another app. They are separate settings. You can use Chrome as your default browser but Google as your default search engine in Firefox, for example.

If you want to change which browser opens by default on your computer, that's done in your operating system settings, not in the browser itself. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select your browser. On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default web browser. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Browser Name] and select it as default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and all other data stay exactly where they are. Changing your default search engine only affects what happens when you search from the address bar — nothing else changes.

Can I use Google for some searches and a different search engine for others?

Most browsers don't have a built-in way to do this, but you can use search engine shortcuts. In Firefox and Chrome, you can set multiple search engines and assign keyboard shortcuts to each one. Type the shortcut in the address bar, press space, then type your search. Check your browser's search engine settings to see which shortcuts are available.

What if my browser doesn't show Google in the search engine list?

Click "Manage search engines" or the equivalent option in your browser's search settings. Look for Google in the full list. If it's not there, you can usually add it manually by clicking an "Add" button and entering Google's search URL. Most browsers will recognize Google automatically once you start typing.

Does setting Google as default on my computer affect my phone?

No. Each device has its own browser settings. You need to change the default search engine separately on your phone, tablet, and computer. If you use the same browser account across devices (like a Google account in Chrome), some settings may sync, but search engine defaults typically do not.

Why does my search engine keep changing back to Bing?

Windows sometimes resets your default search engine after major updates. You can change it back the same way you set it the first time. If it keeps happening, check whether you have any browser extensions installed that might be changing it, or ask your IT department if your device is managed by your workplace.