Setting Chrome as your default browser in Windows, Mac, or Linux
Making Google Chrome your default browser means that when you click a link in an email, document, or another program, Chrome opens automatically instead of whatever browser you have now. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on Windows, Mac, and Linux — you change it in your browser settings, not in your operating system settings.
Chrome does not automatically become your default when you install it. You have to tell your computer to use it, and you can change this back to a different browser anytime.
Key Takeaways
- Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Settings, then select Default browser to change the setting.
- On Windows and Mac, you may also see a prompt asking if you want Chrome to be default the first time you open it — you can click Yes there instead.
- Your operating system may ask you to confirm the change; this is normal and means the change is taking effect.
- If you cannot find the Default browser option, make sure you are in the Settings menu and not somewhere else in Chrome.
How to set Chrome as default on Windows
Open Google Chrome. In the top right corner, you will see three vertical dots (the menu button). Click on it, then click Settings.
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 button that says Make default. Click that button.
Windows will show a popup asking you to confirm. Click Yes or Switch anyway (the exact wording depends on your Windows version). Chrome is now your default browser.
How to set Chrome as default on Mac
Open Google Chrome. In the top left corner of your screen, click Chrome in the menu bar, then click Settings.
On the left side, click Default browser. You will see a button that says Make default. Click it.
Mac will show a popup asking you to confirm the change. Click Open or Switch. Chrome is now your default browser.
How to set Chrome as default on Linux
Open Google Chrome. Click the three-dot menu in the top right, then click Settings.
On the left side, click Default browser. You will see a button that says Make default. Click it.
Linux will show a dialog asking you to confirm. Click the button to confirm the change. Chrome is now your default browser.
What to do if you see a prompt when you open Chrome
The first time you open Chrome on Windows or Mac, you may see a popup asking "Make Google Chrome your default browser?" with a Yes button. You can click Yes right there instead of going through Settings. This is the fastest way if you see it.
If you click Not now or close the popup, you can always change it later using the Settings method described above. The popup will not appear again, but the option stays in Settings.
How to change your default browser back
If you want to use a different browser as your default instead of Chrome, the process is similar. Open that browser, find its Settings or Preferences menu, and look for a "Make default" or "Set as default" button. Click it and confirm.
You can also change your default browser through your operating system settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and look for "Web browser." On Mac, go to System Preferences > General and look for "Default web browser." Both methods work, but changing it in the browser itself is usually faster.
Troubleshooting: Chrome is not showing as default even after I clicked Make default
If you clicked Make default but Chrome still does not open when you click links, restart your computer. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you restart.
If restarting does not work, open Chrome again, go to Settings > Default browser, and click Make default a second time. On some computers, the setting needs to be confirmed twice. If you still have trouble after that, check whether your operating system has a separate default browser setting (Windows Settings or Mac System Preferences) and change it there as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Chrome as default change anything else on my computer?
No. It only changes which browser opens when you click links in emails, documents, and other programs. All your other settings, passwords, and bookmarks stay the same. You can still open other browsers anytime you want.
Can I set Chrome as default for some links but use a different browser for others?
No. Your default browser setting applies to all links. However, you can always open a different browser and paste a link into it manually if you want to use a specific browser for one task.
What if my computer is managed by my workplace or school?
Your organization may have locked the default browser setting so you cannot change it. If the Make default button is grayed out or missing, contact your IT support or help desk — they control this setting on managed computers.
Do I need to do this on my phone too?
Yes, but the process is different on phones. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select Chrome. On iPhone, go to Settings > Chrome and tap Default Browser App, then select Chrome. Phone settings are separate from computer settings.