Chrome is a browser, not a search engine — here's the difference

Chrome is a web browser, not a search engine. The confusion happens because Google (the company that makes Chrome) also runs Google Search. When you set Chrome as your default browser, websites open in Chrome. When you set Google Search as your default search engine, the search box in your browser goes to Google instead of Bing, Yahoo, or another option.

If you want search queries to go to Google, you need to change your search engine setting inside Chrome — not just make Chrome your default browser. The steps are different depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a phone. This guide walks you through each one.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome is a browser; Google Search is a search engine — they are separate settings, and you can use Chrome with a different search engine if you want.
  • On Windows and Mac, open Chrome settings, go to Search engine, and pick Google from the dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone, you change the default search engine in iOS Settings under Safari, not in Chrome itself, because Apple requires all browsers to use Safari's search settings.
  • On Android, open Chrome settings, tap Search engine, and select Google.
  • If Google does not appear in the dropdown, visit google.com in Chrome first so the browser can detect and add it to your list.

How to set Google Search as default on Windows

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left sidebar, click Search engine.

You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." Click it and select Google if it appears in the list. If Google is not there, visit google.com in a new Chrome tab first — Chrome will detect it and add it to the list. Then return to Settings and select it from the dropdown.

How to set Google Search as default on Mac

The steps are identical to Windows. Open Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, select Settings, then Search engine on the left sidebar. Click the dropdown and choose Google.

If you do not see Google in the list, open a new tab and visit google.com. Chrome will recognize the search engine and add it. Return to Settings and select Google from the dropdown. This change takes effect immediately and applies every time you use the address bar to search.

How to set Google Search as default on iPhone

Apple requires all browsers on iPhone — including Chrome — to use the search engine you set in iOS Settings, not in the app itself. Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Safari.

Tap Search Engine and select Google from the list. This change applies to Chrome, Safari, and any other browser on your phone. You cannot set a different search engine for Chrome alone on iPhone because iOS does not allow individual browsers to override the system-wide setting.

How to set Google Search as default on Android

Open the Chrome app and tap the three dots in the bottom right corner (or top right, depending on your phone model). Select Settings. Tap Search engine.

You will see a list of available search engines. Tap Google to select it. If Google does not appear, open a new tab and search for something on google.com. Chrome will add Google to the list, and you can then select it in Settings. Unlike iPhone, Android lets you set a different search engine for Chrome than for other browsers.

What to do if Google does not appear in your search engine list

Chrome only shows search engines it has detected from websites you have visited. If Google is missing, the fastest fix is to visit google.com in a new tab and perform a search. Chrome will recognize Google as a search engine and add it to your list automatically.

After you visit google.com, return to your search engine settings (Settings > Search engine on Windows, Mac, and Android) and select Google from the dropdown. On iPhone, the setting is in iOS Settings under Safari, not in Chrome. Once you select Google, it becomes your default for all searches you perform through the address bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Search the same as Google Chrome?

No. Chrome is the browser — the app you use to visit websites. Google Search is the search engine — what happens when you type in the search box. You can use Chrome with Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine if you prefer.

Will changing my search engine affect other browsers on my computer?

No. Each browser has its own search engine setting. If you change the search engine in Chrome, it only affects Chrome. Edge, Firefox, and Safari will keep their own settings unless you change them separately.

Can I use a different search engine in Chrome on my phone than on my computer?

On Android, yes — each device has separate Chrome settings. On iPhone, no — the search engine is set in iOS Settings and applies to all browsers on that phone.

What if I want to search with a different engine just one time?

You can visit that search engine's website directly (like bing.com or duckduckgo.com) and search there without changing your default setting. Your default search engine only affects the search box in your browser's address bar.

Does making Google my default search engine make Chrome faster?

No. Your search engine choice does not affect how fast Chrome runs. Speed depends on your internet connection, the websites you visit, and how many extensions you have installed.