What changing your browser means and why you might do it
Changing your browser means replacing the program you use to visit websites with a different one. Your current browser is probably Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge — the program icon you click to open the internet. Switching to a different browser is straightforward: you download the new one, set it as your default, and move your saved passwords and bookmarks if you want to.
People switch browsers for different reasons. You might want faster performance, better privacy controls, lower memory use on an older computer, or simply a different look and feel. Some browsers work better with certain websites. Others let you customize the toolbar more, or they sync across your devices differently. The switch itself takes about ten minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Download your new browser from its official website, install it like any other program, and it will appear as an icon on your desktop or in your applications folder.
- Set the new browser as your default by opening its settings, finding the "Default browser" or "Set as default" option, and clicking it — this makes links open in your new browser automatically.
- Import your bookmarks and passwords by using the new browser's import tool, usually found under Settings or Preferences, which reads data from your old browser automatically.
- Your old browser stays on your computer unless you uninstall it, so you can keep both and switch between them while you get used to the new one.
Download and install your new browser
Go to the official website for the browser you want. For Chrome, that is google.com/chrome. For Firefox, mozilla.org/firefox. For Safari, it comes built into Mac computers. For Edge, microsoft.com/edge. Do not download from a search result ad or a third-party site — use the official website only.
Click the download button. The file will land in your Downloads folder. Open it and follow the installer steps, which usually just mean clicking "Next" or "Install" a few times. The browser will add itself to your Applications folder (Mac) or Program Files (Windows). When the installer finishes, you can open your new browser immediately.
Set your new browser as the default
Making your new browser the default means that when you click a link in an email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer, it opens in that browser instead of your old one. Open your new browser and look for Settings or Preferences — usually a gear icon or three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
Look for an option called "Default browser" or "Set as default." Click it. On Windows, you may see a button that says "Make default" or "Set as default browser." On Mac, the option is usually under Settings > General > Default web browser. Click once and you are done. Your new browser is now the default.
Move your bookmarks and passwords to the new browser
Your bookmarks (saved website shortcuts) and passwords live in your old browser. You do not have to move them — you can always open your old browser to find a bookmark — but moving them saves time. Open your new browser and go to Settings or Preferences. Look for an option called "Import" or "Import bookmarks and settings."
Click it. Your new browser will show a list of other browsers installed on your computer. Select your old browser from the list. Check the boxes next to "Bookmarks" and "Passwords" (or "Saved passwords"). Click Import. The browser will copy those items over in a few seconds. You can now see all your bookmarks in your new browser's bookmark bar or menu.
What happens to your old browser
Your old browser stays on your computer unless you remove it. You can keep both browsers installed and switch between them whenever you want. Some people do this while they are getting used to a new browser — they use the new one most of the time but open the old one if something does not work right.
If you decide you do not want your old browser anymore, you can uninstall it. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and features, find the browser name, and click Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications, find the browser, and drag it to the Trash. Uninstalling does not affect your bookmarks or passwords in the new browser — they stay where you moved them.
Troubleshooting common problems
If a website does not look right or does not work in your new browser, try opening it in your old browser to see if the problem is the website or the browser. Most websites work in all modern browsers, but a few older sites were built for one specific browser and may have issues in others.
If your bookmarks did not import, you can import them again by going back to Settings > Import and running the process a second time. If a password did not import, you can type it in manually the next time you visit that website — your new browser will offer to save it. If your new browser feels slow, try closing extra tabs or restarting the browser. If it still feels slow on an older computer, try Firefox or Edge, which use less memory than Chrome.
Switching browsers on your phone or tablet
You can change your default browser on a phone or tablet the same way you do on a computer. On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Default Browser Apps and select your new browser. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select your new browser. Download the new browser from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) first, just like on a computer.
Phone browsers work the same way as computer browsers — they all visit the same websites and most support bookmarks and password saving. The steps are simpler on a phone because there is less to configure. Your bookmarks may not move automatically between phone and computer, so you might need to import them separately on each device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use more than one browser at the same time?
Yes. You can have Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all installed and open at the same time. Many people keep two browsers open for different tasks — one for work and one for personal use, or one for websites that work better in a specific browser. You can switch between them by clicking their icons in your taskbar or dock.
Will I lose my bookmarks if I switch browsers?
No. Your bookmarks stay in your old browser even after you switch. If you use the import tool, they also appear in your new browser. If you do not import them, you can always open your old browser to find a bookmark. You can also import bookmarks later if you change your mind.
Do I have to use the same browser on my phone and computer?
No. You can use Chrome on your computer and Firefox on your phone, or any other combination. However, if you use the same browser on both devices, bookmarks and passwords may sync automatically between them, which is convenient. Check your browser's settings to see if sync is turned on.
What if a website only works in one specific browser?
Keep your old browser installed. Open that website in the old browser and use your new browser for everything else. This is rare with modern websites, but it happens occasionally with older sites or specialized tools. You do not have to choose one browser forever — you can use whichever one works best for each task.
Is it safe to download a browser from anywhere?
Download only from the official website of the browser you want. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge are all free and safe when downloaded from their official sites. Downloading from other sites risks getting a fake version or malware. If you are not sure whether a website is official, search for the browser name plus "official download" to find the real one.