Change your default browser in System Settings

Open System Settings on your Mac. Click General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Default apps. Look for Default web browser and click the dropdown menu next to it. Select the browser you want to use instead — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser you have installed.

That's the entire process. Once you select a new default, any link you click in Mail, Messages, Notes, or other apps will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari. The change takes effect immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser setting is in System Settings under General > Default apps > Default web browser.
  • Only browsers you have already installed on your Mac will appear in the dropdown menu.
  • Changing your default browser does not uninstall Safari or affect any other browser you use.
  • If you change your mind later, you can return to System Settings and pick a different browser at any time.

What happens when you set a new default

When you click a link in Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, or any other app that doesn't have its own browser built in, macOS opens that link in your default browser. If you set Chrome as your default, links open in Chrome. If you switch back to Safari, they open in Safari instead.

This does not affect links you click directly inside a web browser — those always open in the browser you're already using. It also does not change which browser appears on your dock or in Launchpad. You can keep Safari on your dock and use Chrome as your default without any conflict.

If your browser doesn't appear in the list

The dropdown menu only shows browsers you have downloaded and installed on your Mac. If you want to use a browser that isn't listed, download it first from the browser's official website or the Mac App Store. Once it's installed, quit and reopen System Settings, and the new browser will appear in the dropdown.

Some browsers like Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi work the same way — install them first, then set them as default through System Settings. There is no limit to how many browsers you can have installed at once.

Switching back to Safari

If you want to return Safari as your default browser, open System Settings, go to General > Default apps, click the Default web browser dropdown, and select Safari. Safari is built into macOS, so it will always be available in the list.

Switching away from Safari as your default does not remove Safari from your Mac or delete any bookmarks, history, or passwords you've saved in it. Safari remains installed and ready to use whenever you open it directly.

Why you might want to change your default

Some people prefer Chrome because it syncs bookmarks and passwords across Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Others use Firefox for privacy features or Edge for integration with Microsoft accounts. Some stick with Safari because it uses less battery on Mac and integrates tightly with other Apple devices like iPhone and iPad.

Your choice depends on which browser you actually use most often. If you spend your day in Chrome but Safari is your default, you'll get annoyed every time you click a link in Mail and it opens in the wrong browser. Setting your most-used browser as default removes that friction.

Changing default browser for specific apps

macOS does not let you set different default browsers for different apps. You can only set one default browser for your entire Mac. If you want Mail to open links in Chrome but Messages to open them in Firefox, that is not possible through System Settings.

The only workaround is to manually choose which browser to use each time. Right-click a link in any app and look for an "Open with" option, then select the browser you want. This works in Mail, Messages, and some other apps, but it requires a choice each time rather than happening automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my default browser affect Safari?

No. Safari remains installed on your Mac and works exactly as before. Changing your default browser only changes which browser opens links from other apps — it does not uninstall, disable, or modify Safari in any way.

Can I set a different default browser for work and personal use?

macOS does not support multiple default browsers or user-specific defaults. You have one default browser for your entire Mac. If you use separate user accounts on your Mac, each account can have its own default browser setting, but within a single account there is only one.

What if I don't see my browser in the dropdown?

The browser must be installed on your Mac first. Download it from the browser's website or the Mac App Store, then return to System Settings. If it still doesn't appear, try quitting System Settings completely and opening it again.

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks?

No. Each browser stores its own bookmarks, history, and passwords separately. Switching your default browser does not touch any data in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser you have installed.

Can I change my default browser back to Safari anytime?

Yes. Open System Settings, go to General > Default apps, click the Default web browser dropdown, and select Safari. You can switch between browsers as often as you want with no restrictions or consequences.