Change your default browser in System Settings

Your Mac's default browser is the one that opens when you click a link in email, messages, or documents. To change it, open System Settings, go to the Desktop & Dock section, scroll down to the Default web browser dropdown, and select the browser you want to use instead.

The dropdown shows every browser installed on your Mac. If you don't see the browser you want, it either isn't installed yet or macOS doesn't recognize it. Restart your Mac after making the change — sometimes the system needs a moment to register the new default.

This setting applies to your entire user account. If other people use your Mac with their own accounts, each person can set their own default browser independently.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser is set in System Settings under Desktop & Dock, in the Default web browser dropdown menu.
  • Only browsers already installed on your Mac will appear in the dropdown list.
  • Restarting your Mac after changing the default ensures the change takes effect properly.
  • Each user account on your Mac can have its own default browser setting.
  • Links in Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in whichever browser you set as default.

Step-by-step: Finding and changing the setting

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. On the left sidebar, click Desktop & Dock. Scroll down until you see "Default web browser" — it will show your current default with a dropdown arrow next to it.

Click the dropdown to see all installed browsers. Select the one you want to use. The change takes effect immediately for most actions, but if a browser doesn't respond right away, restart your Mac and try again.

If the browser you want doesn't appear in the list, it may not be installed. Download it from the publisher's website (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave are the most common options), then return to System Settings and check the dropdown again.

What happens when you change your default

Once you set a new default, any link you click in Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Reminders, or other apps will open in that browser instead of your previous one. Bookmarks and passwords stay with each browser — they don't transfer automatically.

If you open a link in a different browser by right-clicking it and choosing "Open with," that single action doesn't change your default. Your default only changes when you go back to System Settings and pick a different one.

Some websites or apps may try to open links in a specific browser regardless of your default. This is less common on Mac than on Windows, but it can happen with certain corporate or specialized tools.

Browsers that work as defaults on Mac

Any browser you install on your Mac can become your default, as long as it's a full browser application (not a web app). Safari comes built in. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi all work as defaults and can be downloaded free from their publishers.

Older versions of some browsers may not show up in the dropdown even if they're installed. If you're using an older version and it's not appearing, update it through the browser's own settings or download the latest version fresh from the publisher's website.

Troubleshooting: Browser not showing in the dropdown

If you installed a browser but it doesn't appear in the Default web browser dropdown, try these steps in order. First, restart your Mac — sometimes the system needs time to recognize a newly installed application. Second, open the browser to make sure it launches properly. Third, return to System Settings and check the dropdown again.

If the browser still doesn't appear, it may not be compatible with your version of macOS. Check the publisher's website to confirm your Mac's operating system version meets the browser's requirements. You can find your macOS version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac.

As a last step, try moving the browser application to the Trash, restarting your Mac, and downloading a fresh copy from the publisher's website. This clears out any corrupted installation files that might be preventing the system from recognizing the browser.

Switching back to Safari or changing again later

You can change your default browser as many times as you want. If you want to go back to Safari, open System Settings, go to Desktop & Dock, click the Default web browser dropdown, and select Safari. The process is identical whether you're switching to Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser.

Some people set different defaults at different times depending on what they're doing. There's no limit to how often you can change it, and no setting gets locked in permanently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Each browser stores its own bookmarks and passwords separately. Changing your default doesn't affect what's saved in any browser. If you want to move bookmarks from one browser to another, you'll need to export them from the first browser and import them into the second.

Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?

No. macOS only allows one default browser for all links. You can always right-click a link and choose "Open with" to pick a different browser for that single link, but you can't create rules like "open Gmail links in Chrome and everything else in Safari."

What if a website forces me to open it in a specific browser?

Some corporate or specialized websites may try to redirect you to a specific browser. This is rare on Mac. If it happens, you can usually right-click the link, select "Open with," and choose your preferred browser. If the site still won't load, contact the website's support team.

Do I need to restart my Mac after changing the default browser?

Not always, but it's a good idea. Most changes take effect immediately, but restarting ensures the system fully registers the change, especially if you're switching to a browser you just installed.

Will my default browser setting stay the same after I update macOS?

Yes. macOS updates preserve your default browser setting. You won't need to change it again unless you want to.