How to set Google as your default search engine

Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question directly into your browser's address bar without visiting a search website first. Most browsers ship with Bing or another search engine pre-selected, but you can change this to Google in under a minute on any device.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari, and whether you're on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. The process is the same idea everywhere: you open your browser settings, find the search engine section, and pick Google from a list.

Key Takeaways

  • Google is usually available as an option in your browser's search settings without installing anything extra.
  • On Windows and Mac, you change the default in your browser settings under "Search engine" or "Search".
  • On iPhone, you change the default in Settings > Safari > Search Engine, not in the Safari app itself.
  • On Android, the process depends on your browser — Chrome uses Settings > Search Engine, while Firefox uses Preferences > Search.
  • Once you change the setting, the change takes effect immediately the next time you search from the address bar.

Changing your default search engine in Chrome

Chrome is the most common browser, and Google is already built in as an option. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines under "Search engines used in the address bar." Google should already be in this list. Click on Google to highlight it, then click the three dots next to it and select Make default. That's it — Google is now your default.

If Google does not appear in the list, type a Google search into your address bar (for example, "weather today"), and Chrome will automatically add Google to the list. Then follow the steps above to make it default.

Changing your default search engine in Edge

Microsoft Edge works almost identically to Chrome. Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Privacy, search, and services.

Scroll down to the Search engine section. You will see "Search engine used in the address bar" with a dropdown menu. Click the dropdown and select Google. The change takes effect immediately.

Changing your default search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Search.

Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown menu with several options. Click the dropdown and select Google. Firefox will remember this choice every time you search from the address bar.

Changing your default search engine on iPhone

On iPhone, the default search engine setting lives in the system settings, not in Safari itself. Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Safari.

Scroll down to the Search Engine section. Tap the current search engine name (it may say Bing or DuckDuckGo), and a list of options will appear. Tap Google. The next time you search from Safari's address bar, Google will handle the search.

Changing your default search engine on Android

On Android, the steps depend on which browser you use. If you use Chrome, open the app and tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings, then Search engine. Tap Google to select it as your default.

If you use Firefox on Android, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right and select Settings. Tap Search, then tap Search Engine. Select Google from the list.

If you use a different browser, look for a Settings or Preferences option in the app menu, then search for "search engine" in that section. Google should be available as an option in any major browser.

What happens after you change your default

Once you set Google as your default, any time you type a question or phrase directly into your browser's address bar, Google will search for it. This applies only to searches from the address bar — if you visit Google.com directly, that works the same way regardless of your default setting.

Your default search engine does not affect which search results you see when you click a search link from another website, and it does not change your browser's home page. If you want to change your home page separately, that is a different setting in your browser's settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No. Changing your default search engine only changes which search service handles queries from your address bar. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and all other browser data remain exactly the same.

Can I use different default search engines on different devices?

Yes. Each device has its own settings, so you can set Google as default on your phone and a different search engine on your computer if you want. The settings do not sync across devices.

What if Google does not appear in my search engine list?

Google is built into every major browser by default. If you do not see it in the list, try searching "weather" or any simple term from your address bar, and your browser will add Google to the available options. Then you can set it as default.

Does changing my default search engine cost anything?

No. Changing your default search engine is free and takes less than a minute. Google search itself is also free to use.

Will my internet provider know which search engine I use?

Your internet provider can see that you are visiting a search website, but they cannot see your individual search queries. Your search history is between you and Google (or whichever search engine you use).