Setting Chrome as your default browser in Windows, Mac, and Android

To make Google Chrome your default browser, you open Chrome's settings, find the Default Browser section, and click the button that says "Make default." The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Android, but the process takes less than a minute on any device. Once Chrome is set as default, links you click in emails, documents, and other apps will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was set before.

Your operating system controls which browser opens when you click a link. Setting a default doesn't uninstall other browsers — they stay on your device and you can still open them manually whenever you want. But the default is what launches automatically, so most people set it to whichever browser they use most often.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Chrome, go to Settings > Default Browser, and click "Make default" — Windows will ask you to confirm in the Settings app.
  • On Mac, open Chrome, go to Settings > Default Browser, and click "Make default" — macOS will ask you to confirm in System Settings.
  • On Android, open Chrome, go to Settings > Apps and notifications > Default apps > Browser app, and select Chrome.
  • Once Chrome is set as default, all links from emails, texts, and documents will open in Chrome unless you manually choose a different browser.
  • You can change your default browser back to another browser at any time using the same steps.

How to set Chrome as default on Windows

Open Google Chrome on your computer. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window, then select "Settings" from the menu that appears.

On the left side of the Settings page, click "Default browser." You will see a section that says "Make Google Chrome your default browser" with a button underneath it. Click that button. Windows will open your Settings app and show you the Default apps screen. Find "Web browser" in the list and click on it. A menu will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Click "Google Chrome" to confirm the change.

Once you see "Google Chrome" listed as your web browser in the Settings app, the change is complete. You can close both Chrome and the Settings window. Any link you click from now on will open in Chrome.

How to set Chrome as default on Mac

Open Google Chrome. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select "Settings."

On the left side, click "Default browser." You will see a button that says "Make default." Click it. macOS will open System Settings and show you the General section. Look for "Default web browser" near the bottom of the page. Click the dropdown menu next to it and select "Google Chrome" from the list.

Close System Settings. Chrome is now your default browser, and links from emails, documents, and other apps will open in Chrome automatically.

How to set Chrome as default on Android

Open the Chrome app on your phone or tablet. Tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner and select "Settings."

Tap "Apps and notifications." Then tap "Default apps." Tap "Browser app." A list of installed browsers will appear. Tap "Chrome" to set it as your default.

You are done. From now on, links you tap in emails, text messages, and web pages will open in Chrome. If you ever want to switch back to a different browser, follow the same steps and select that browser instead.

What happens if Chrome is already your default

If Chrome is already set as your default browser, the button in Chrome's settings will say "Already your default browser" or something similar instead of "Make default." This means Chrome is already configured to open links automatically.

If you see this message but links are still opening in a different browser, restart your computer or phone. Sometimes the operating system needs to refresh its settings after a browser update or a change you made elsewhere.

Changing your default browser back

You can change your default browser to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser installed on your device. The steps are identical to setting Chrome as default — just select a different browser name at the final step instead of Chrome.

On Windows, go to Settings > Default apps > Web browser and pick a new browser. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Default web browser and pick a new browser. On Android, go to Settings > Apps and notifications > Default apps > Browser app and pick a new browser. The change takes effect immediately.

Troubleshooting: Chrome won't stay as default

If you set Chrome as default but it keeps switching back to another browser, a few things might be happening. Some other apps or programs can change your default browser without asking. Windows updates can also reset your default browser, especially after a major update.

The fastest fix is to set Chrome as default again using the steps above. If it keeps changing back, restart your computer and try once more. If the problem continues, check whether you have installed any browser toolbars or extensions from other companies — these sometimes reset your default browser. You can uninstall them by going to Settings > Apps > Apps and features (on Windows) or System Settings > General > Software Update (on Mac) and removing anything you do not recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting Chrome as default remove my other browsers?

No. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens automatically when you click a link. All your other browsers stay installed and you can still open them manually whenever you want. You can switch your default browser back at any time.

Do I need to set Chrome as default on each device separately?

Yes. Your phone, tablet, and computer each have their own default browser setting. If you want Chrome to be default on all your devices, you need to set it on each one individually using the steps for that device type.

What if I don't see the "Make default" button in Chrome settings?

This usually means Chrome is already your default browser. Check the message next to where the button would be — it should say "Already your default browser" or similar. If you still want to change it, try restarting your device and checking again.

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

No. Your operating system only lets you set one default browser for all links. However, you can always right-click a link and choose "Open with" to pick a different browser for that single link without changing your default.

Does setting Chrome as default affect my passwords or bookmarks?

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and all other Chrome data stay exactly where they are. Setting Chrome as default only changes which browser opens when you click a link — it does not touch any of your saved information.