How to Change Your Default Internet Browser

How to change your default browser on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices

Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in email, a document, or anywhere else on your computer or phone. Changing it takes less than a minute on any device, though the exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android.

On Windows 11, you go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find your new browser in the list, and click it. On Mac, you open System Settings > General > Default web browser and pick from the dropdown. On iPhone, Settings > Apps > Default Browser App. On Android, Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app. Each path is slightly different, but the concept is the same: tell your device which browser to use when it needs one.

Key Takeaways

Windows 11 requires you to set a default browser through Settings > Apps > Default apps, where you select your browser from a list of installed options.
Mac users open System Settings > General > Default web browser and choose from a dropdown menu of available browsers.
iPhone users must set a default browser in Settings > Apps > Default Browser App; Safari is the only option on older iOS versions.
Android devices let you set a default browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app, and you can change it back anytime.
If your preferred browser does not appear in the default list, it may not be installed yet or may not support being set as default on your device.

Changing your default browser on Windows 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to Apps on the left side, then click Default apps. Scroll down until you see the browser you want to use — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, or another option you have installed.

Click on the browser name. A window will pop up asking you to confirm. Click the browser again to set it as default. From that moment on, any link you click outside the browser will open in your new default. You can change it back the same way anytime.

If the browser you want does not appear in the list, you may need to install it first. Download it from the official website (google.com/chrome for Chrome, mozilla.org for Firefox) and run the installer. Once installed, return to Settings > Apps > Default apps and it should appear in the list.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then scroll down to find Default web browser. A dropdown menu will show all the browsers you have installed on your Mac.

Click the dropdown and select the browser you want. The change takes effect immediately. If you only see Safari in the dropdown, you need to install another browser first. Download Chrome, Firefox, or another browser from its official website, drag it to your Applications folder, and then return to System Settings to set it as default.

Changing your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Apps. Tap Apps, then look for Default Browser App near the bottom. Tap it and you will see a list of browsers you have installed — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, or others.

Select the browser you want to use. From now on, links in Mail, Messages, Safari, and other apps will open in your chosen browser. If you only see Safari as an option, your iPhone is running an older version of iOS. Apple added the ability to change default browsers in iOS 14; if you have an earlier version, Safari is your only choice.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app and go to Apps. Tap Default apps, then select Browser app. You will see a list of all browsers installed on your phone. Tap the one you want to use as your default.

The change happens immediately. Any link you open from Gmail, Messages, Chrome, or anywhere else will now open in your new default browser. You can switch back anytime by returning to the same menu and picking a different browser.

What to do if your browser does not appear in the default list

Some browsers do not support being set as a default, or they may not show up in the list until you have opened them at least once. If you have installed a browser but it does not appear in your default apps menu, try opening it manually first. Launch the browser from your Start menu, Applications folder, or app drawer, let it fully load, then close it and check the default apps list again.

If it still does not appear, the browser may not support being set as default on your device. Older or less common browsers sometimes lack this feature. In that case, you can still use the browser by opening it manually, but links will continue to open in your current default browser.

Changing your default browser back to what it was

If you change your default browser and later want to switch back, the process is identical. Go to your device's default apps settings using the same path you used before, find the browser you want to return to, and select it. There is no penalty for changing your default browser multiple times — you can do it as often as you like.

Some browsers will ask permission to become your default when you first install them. If you see a popup asking "Set as default browser?" you can click yes or no. Clicking no does not prevent you from setting it as default later through Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history?

No. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay in each browser where you created them. If you switch from Chrome to Firefox, your Chrome bookmarks remain in Chrome. You can import bookmarks from one browser to another, but changing your default does not do this automatically.

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

No. Your device has one default browser for all links. You can open any browser manually anytime, but the default setting applies to all links system-wide. Some browsers let you set rules for specific websites within their own settings, but that is different from a system-wide default.

What happens if I uninstall my default browser?

Your device will revert to a built-in browser — Edge on Windows, Safari on Mac and iPhone. You should set a new default before uninstalling, but if you do not, your system will choose one automatically. You can then set your preferred browser as default once you install it.

Do I need to restart my device after changing the default browser?

No. The change takes effect immediately on all devices. You do not need to restart your computer or phone, close other apps, or do anything else. Links will open in your new default browser right away.

Why does my browser not show up as an option on Android?

Some browsers on Android do not support being set as the system default. Check the browser's settings or help page to see if it supports this feature. If it does, try opening the browser once and returning to your default apps menu. If it still does not appear, you may need to use a different browser or open it manually each time.

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.