How to change your default browser

Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in email, a document, or anywhere else on your device. Changing it takes a few clicks and works differently depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Android. You do not need to uninstall your old browser — both can live on your device at the same time.

The browser you choose becomes the one that handles all those automatic link-opens until you change it again. This matters because different browsers handle passwords, autofill, and tracking differently, so picking one you trust is worth the small effort to switch.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and find your browser in the list to change it.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default Web Browser and pick from the dropdown menu.
  • On Android, long-press a link in any app, tap "Open with", select your browser, and choose "Always" to make it default.
  • You can have multiple browsers installed — changing the default does not remove the old one.
  • Some browsers like Chrome and Firefox make it easy to import your bookmarks and passwords from your previous browser.

Changing your default browser on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app when it appears. Go to Apps in the left menu, then click Default Apps. Scroll down until you see "Web browser" — it will show your current default with a logo next to it.

Click on the browser name. A window will pop up showing all the browsers you have installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use as your default. Windows will switch it immediately, and you will see the change reflected in the Default Apps list right away.

If the browser you want does not appear in the list, it may not be installed yet. Download it from the official website — Chrome from google.com/chrome, Firefox from mozilla.org, or Edge from microsoft.com/edge — then repeat these steps.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the left sidebar, then look for Default Web Browser near the bottom of the window.

Click the dropdown menu next to it. You will see all the browsers installed on your Mac listed there. Select the one you want and close the window — the change takes effect immediately. If you do not see your browser in the list, make sure it is installed in your Applications folder.

Changing your default browser on Android

Android does not have a single settings screen for this like Windows and Mac do. Instead, you set the default by opening a link in the app you want to use as your default. Open Gmail, Messages, or any app that contains links, then long-press any link (hold your finger on it for a second or two).

A menu will appear with options. Tap "Open with" or "Open link with" depending on your phone. You will see a list of browsers installed on your device. Tap the one you want, then tap "Always" at the bottom of the screen. Android will now use that browser for all links going forward.

If you change your mind later, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps (or similar, depending on your phone brand) and look for "Browser app" or "Web browser". Tap it and select a different browser, or repeat the long-press method with a different app.

What happens to your old browser

Changing your default browser does not uninstall or delete the old one. Both browsers stay on your device, and you can still open either one manually whenever you want. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history stay in each browser separately unless you move them.

If you want to move your information from one browser to another, most modern browsers have an import feature. In Chrome, go to Settings > Import bookmarks and settings. In Firefox, go to the menu button > Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > Import and Backup. Both will let you pull in bookmarks and passwords from your previous browser.

Why you might want to switch browsers

Different browsers handle privacy and security differently. Firefox and Safari tend to block more tracking by default, while Chrome and Edge sync smoothly across devices if you use multiple computers or phones. Some people prefer one browser for work and another for personal use, even though only one can be the default.

If you are switching because your current browser is slow, crashes often, or does not work with a website you need, trying a different one is free and takes just a few minutes. You can always switch back if you do not like the new one.

Troubleshooting: Your default browser did not change

If you followed the steps but links still open in your old browser, restart your device. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you reboot. On Windows, you can also try going back to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and clicking the browser name again to confirm the change stuck.

On Android, if the "Always" button did not appear, try the long-press method again with a different app. Some apps override the default browser setting for links within that app only — Gmail might open links in Chrome even if Firefox is your system default. This is normal and usually cannot be changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your device has one default browser for all links. Some apps like Gmail or Twitter may open links in their own built-in browser regardless of your default setting, but you cannot split the default between multiple browsers.

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks?

No. Your bookmarks stay in the browser where you saved them. If you want to use your bookmarks in a new browser, use the import feature — most browsers have one under Settings or Preferences that can pull bookmarks from another browser on the same device.

What if I do not see my browser in the default apps list?

The browser may not be fully installed yet. Restart your device after installing a new browser, then check the default apps list again. If it still does not appear, uninstall and reinstall the browser from its official website.

Does changing my default browser affect my passwords?

No. Your passwords stay stored in each browser separately. If you want to use the same passwords in a new browser, you can import them using that browser's import feature, or you can use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password that works across all browsers.

Can I have no default browser?

No. Your device requires a default browser to open links. You must pick one, though you can change it anytime. If you want to choose which browser opens each link manually, that is not possible — the default will always open unless you right-click and select a different one.