How to Set Gmail as Your Default Email App

Making Gmail your default email app

When you set Gmail as your default email app, any link that starts with mailto: (like email addresses on websites) will open in Gmail instead of whatever email program your device currently uses. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them.

You only need to do this once. After you set it, Gmail stays your default until you change it again. If you use multiple email accounts, setting Gmail as default does not affect the others — you can still access them all from within the app.

Key Takeaways

Gmail becomes your default email app through your device settings, not through Gmail itself — the app has no setting for this.
On Windows, you change the default through Settings > Apps > Default Apps, then search for Gmail in the list.
On Mac, you set the default in Gmail's own preferences under the General tab, then confirm the change in System Settings.
On iPhone and Android, the process happens in your device settings under Apps or Applications, not in Gmail.
If Gmail does not appear as an option, you may need to open Gmail once first so your device recognizes it as an email app.

Setting Gmail as default on Windows

Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default Apps near the top of the right panel.

Scroll down until you see Email in the list. Click on whatever app is currently shown there (it might say Mail, Outlook, or another program). A window will pop up showing all the email apps on your computer. Find Gmail in that list and click it once. Windows will confirm the change immediately, and you are done.

If Gmail does not appear in the list, open Gmail in your web browser first, then repeat these steps. Windows needs to see that Gmail exists before it will show it as an option.

Setting Gmail as default on Mac

Open Gmail in your web browser and look for the settings icon (a gear) in the top right corner. Click it and select See all settings. Click the General tab, then scroll down until you see Default email client. Click the button that says Make Gmail your default email client.

Your Mac will then ask you to confirm this change in System Settings. A window will open showing email apps on your computer. Click Gmail to confirm, then close that window. The change takes effect immediately.

If the button does not appear in Gmail settings, your Mac may already have Gmail set as default, or your browser may not support this feature. You can also set it manually through System Settings: click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, click General, then Default Apps, find Mail, and select Gmail from the dropdown.

Setting Gmail as default on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down to find Gmail in the list of apps (you may need to scroll quite far). Tap Gmail, then look for an option called Default Mail App or Default Email App. Tap it and select Gmail from the list that appears.

If you do not see Gmail in your Settings app list, open Gmail from your home screen first to make sure it is installed, then go back to Settings and try again. The app needs to be recognized by your phone before it can be set as default.

After you set it, any email link you tap on a website or in another app will open in Gmail. You can still use other email apps for their own accounts — setting Gmail as default only affects which app opens when you tap an email link.

Setting Gmail as default on Android

Open the Settings app and look for Apps or Applications (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap it, then look for a menu icon (three dots or lines) in the top right corner. Tap that icon and select Default apps or Default applications.

Find Email in the list and tap it. A window will show all email apps on your phone. Tap Gmail to set it as default. Some Android phones may instead show this option directly in the Gmail app itself — if you cannot find it in Settings, open Gmail, tap your profile picture in the top right, select Manage your Google Account, go to the General tab, and look for a default app option there.

If Gmail does not appear as an option anywhere, open the Gmail app once from your home screen to register it with your phone, then return to Settings and try again.

What happens after you set Gmail as default

Once Gmail is your default, clicking any email address link on a website or in another app will open a new message in Gmail. You will see Gmail's compose window with the recipient's address already filled in. You can then type your message and send it.

Setting Gmail as default does not change anything about your other email accounts. If you use Outlook, Yahoo Mail, or another email service, you can still access those accounts — they just will not open automatically when you click email links. You can always switch your default back to a different app later by following the same steps and selecting a different email program.

Troubleshooting: Gmail does not show up as an option

The most common reason Gmail does not appear in your default apps list is that your device does not recognize it as an email app yet. The fix is simple: open Gmail once (either through the app on your phone or in your web browser on a computer), then go back to your default apps settings and look again. Your device should now show Gmail in the list.

On Windows, if Gmail still does not appear after opening it, try restarting your computer. On Mac, try restarting your browser. On phones, try restarting the phone itself. These steps force your device to refresh its list of installed apps.

If Gmail appears but is grayed out or you cannot select it, your device may have a restriction preventing it. On iPhones, check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions to see if app changes are blocked. On Android, check Settings > Apps > Permissions to make sure Gmail has permission to be a default app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple default email apps?

No, your device can only have one default email app at a time. When you click an email link, it will always open in whichever app you set as default. You can still use other email apps — they just will not open automatically from links.

Will setting Gmail as default delete my other email accounts?

No. Setting a default email app only controls which app opens when you click an email link. All your other email accounts remain on your device and you can still access them through their own apps or through Gmail if you have added them there.

What if I change my mind and want a different email app as default?

Follow the same steps you used to set Gmail as default, but select a different email app instead. Your device will switch the default immediately. You can change it back to Gmail anytime.

Does setting Gmail as default affect my phone number or contact information?

No. Setting a default email app only changes which program opens when you click email links. It does not affect your phone number, contacts, or any other personal information.

Why does Gmail not open when I click an email link?

Gmail may not be set as your default, or your device may not recognize Gmail as an email app yet. Open Gmail once to register it with your device, then check your default apps settings again. If it is already set as default but still does not open, try restarting your device.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.