Safari becomes your default browser through your device settings, not through Safari itself
To make Safari open when you click links in emails, messages, or other apps, you change a single setting in your device's main settings menu. The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac — each one works differently. On iPhone and iPad, you'll find this setting under the main Settings app. On Mac, it's in System Settings under the General tab.
This is different from setting a homepage or changing how Safari looks. You're telling your entire device to use Safari as the app that handles all web links, no matter where those links come from.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, and tap "Default Browser App" to select Safari.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, find Default Web Browser, and choose Safari from the dropdown.
- After you change this setting, all links from Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in Safari instead of whatever browser was set before.
- You can change your default browser back to another app at any time using the same steps.
Changing the default browser on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down the list of apps until you see Safari — it's usually near the bottom, after Mail and Maps. Tap Safari to open its settings page.
Look for the option labeled "Default Browser App" near the top of the Safari settings screen. Tap it, and you'll see a list of browsers installed on your device. Select Safari. A checkmark will appear next to it, and you're done — Safari is now your default browser.
If you don't see "Default Browser App" in the Safari settings, make sure you're running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Apple added this setting in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, so older devices won't have it. Check Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available.
Changing the default browser on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). In the sidebar on the left, click General.
Scroll down to find "Default Web Browser" — it's usually near the bottom of the General settings. Click the dropdown menu next to it, which probably shows the name of your current default browser. Select Safari from the list. The change takes effect immediately.
If you have an older Mac running macOS Monterey or earlier, the setting might be labeled slightly differently or located in a different spot. Try opening System Preferences, clicking the General icon, and looking for "Default Web Browser" in the main panel.
What happens after you change your default browser
Once Safari is set as your default, links in Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, and other Apple apps will open in Safari instead of whatever browser you were using before. Links in third-party apps like Gmail or Slack will also open in Safari, unless those apps have their own internal browser built in.
Bookmarks you've saved in other browsers won't automatically move to Safari. If you want to keep your bookmarks, you'll need to import them into Safari separately. On iPhone and iPad, open Safari, tap the Bookmarks icon (it looks like an open book), then tap Edit and look for an import option. On Mac, open Safari, click File in the menu bar, and select Import From to bring in bookmarks from Chrome, Firefox, or another browser.
Switching back to a different default browser
You can change your default browser back to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser you have installed by following the same steps. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Safari > Default Browser App and select a different browser. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Default Web Browser and choose from the dropdown.
Some people switch between browsers depending on what they're doing — Safari for everyday browsing and Chrome for work, for example. You can change your default browser as often as you want. There's no limit to how many times you can switch.
Troubleshooting if Safari won't stay as your default
If you set Safari as your default but links keep opening in another browser, restart your device. On iPhone and iPad, hold down the power button and slide to power off, then turn it back on. On Mac, click the Apple menu and select Restart.
If the problem continues after a restart, check that you actually selected Safari in the default browser settings — it's easy to tap the wrong option by accident. Go back to Settings (iPhone/iPad) or System Settings (Mac) and confirm that Safari has a checkmark or is shown as selected.
If you're using a work device or a device managed by your school or organization, your default browser might be locked by a profile or policy. Contact your IT department or device administrator to see if they've restricted which browser you can use as default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history in other browsers?
No. Changing your default browser only affects which app opens when you click a link. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords in Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser stay exactly where they are. You can still open those browsers and use them whenever you want.
Can I set different default browsers for different apps?
No. Your device has one default browser setting that applies to all apps. If you want links from Mail to open in Safari but links from Chrome to stay in Chrome, that's not possible — you'd have to manually copy and paste links between apps instead.
What if Safari isn't showing up in the default browser list?
Safari comes built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so it should always appear in the list. If it doesn't, try restarting your device. If it still doesn't show up after a restart, you may need to update to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
Does setting Safari as default make it faster?
No. Your default browser setting only controls which app opens links. It doesn't change how fast Safari runs or how it performs. Speed depends on your internet connection, the websites you visit, and how much memory your device has available.
Can I undo changing my default browser?
Yes. Go back to the same settings menu where you changed it to Safari, and select a different browser. Your previous default browser will take over again. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.