How to set Chrome as your default browser

To make Chrome your default browser, you open your device's settings, find the default apps section, and select Chrome for web links. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Android — each system stores this setting in a different place. Once you change it, any link you click outside of an app will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was set before.

The process takes less than a minute on any device. You do not need to uninstall your old browser or change any Chrome settings inside the app itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 requires you to go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find your current browser, and change it to Chrome from the dropdown menu.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default web browser and select Google Chrome from the list.
  • Android users can go to Settings > Apps > Default apps (or similar, depending on the phone maker) and set Chrome as the default browser.
  • Once changed, all links from emails, text messages, and other apps will open in Chrome automatically.
  • You can change your default browser back at any time using the same steps.

Setting Chrome as default on Windows 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then select Default apps from the main panel.

Scroll down until you see your current default browser listed — it might say Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or another name. Click on it. A window will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Select Google Chrome and click Set default. Windows will confirm the change immediately.

If you do not see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer. You would need to download and install it from google.com/chrome first.

Setting Chrome as default on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General, then click Default web browser in the main panel.

A dropdown menu will appear showing all browsers on your Mac. Select Google Chrome from the list. The change takes effect immediately — you do not need to restart your computer or Chrome itself.

If Chrome does not appear in the dropdown, download it from google.com/chrome and install it first. Once installed, return to System Settings and repeat these steps.

Setting Chrome as default on Android

Open the Settings app on your phone. The location of the default apps option varies by phone maker — on Samsung phones, go to Apps, then Default apps. On other Android phones, look for Apps and notifications or Applications, then find Default apps or Default browser.

Once you find the default browser setting, tap it and select Chrome from the list. Some phones show a list of browsers; others show a single option you can tap to change. The change applies immediately.

If Chrome is not installed on your phone, open Google Play Store, search for "Chrome", and tap Install. Then return to Settings and set it as default.

What happens after you change your default browser

Once Chrome is set as default, clicking any link in email, text messages, social media, or other apps will open that link in Chrome. Links in documents, PDFs, and web pages will also open in Chrome. Your old browser remains installed and you can still open it manually if you want — changing the default does not remove it.

You can switch back to a different default browser at any time by following the same steps and selecting a different browser instead of Chrome.

Troubleshooting: Chrome does not appear as an option

If Chrome is not showing up in your default browser list, it is not installed on your device. Go to google.com/chrome on any browser, click the download button, and follow the installer. Once installation finishes, return to your device's default apps settings and Chrome should appear in the list.

On Windows, if you installed Chrome but it still does not show up, restart your computer. Windows sometimes needs a restart to recognize newly installed apps in the default apps menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history in my old browser?

No. Changing the default browser does not affect any data in your old browser. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings remain exactly as they were. The old browser stays installed on your device.

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

No. Your device allows only one default browser for all web links. However, you can still open any browser manually and use it whenever you want — the default only controls what happens when you click a link outside of an app.

Do I need to restart Chrome after changing it to default?

No. The change takes effect immediately. If Chrome is already open, you do not need to close it or restart it.

What if my phone manufacturer's settings look different from these steps?

Phone makers customize Android, so the exact menu names and locations vary. Look for words like "Default", "Apps", "Browser", or "Applications" in your Settings app. If you cannot find it, search your phone's settings for "default browser" — most phones have a search function at the top of the Settings app.