Set Google as your default search engine in three steps
Your default search engine is the one that runs a search when you type words into your browser's address bar. To make Google your default, you open your browser's settings, find the search engine section, and pick Google from the list. The exact steps depend on which browser you use — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — but the process takes less than a minute in any of them.
Most browsers come with a default search engine already chosen. Chrome uses Google by default in most places, but Firefox, Safari, and Edge may use different engines. If you want Google specifically, you need to change it yourself. The setting stays in place until you change it again.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine runs searches when you type in the address bar, and you can change it in your browser's settings in under a minute.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have a search engine settings section, though the path to find it differs slightly in each browser.
- Google must already be installed as an option in your browser before you can set it as default — it usually is, but you may need to add it first.
- Changing your default search engine on your computer does not change it on your phone unless you change phone settings separately.
How to set Google as default in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Search engine.
Under "Search engine used in the address bar," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click that dropdown and select Google. Chrome saves the change immediately — you do not need to click a save button. The next time you type in the address bar, Google will run the search.
How to set Google as default in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Search on the left side.
Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown showing your current choice. Click it and select Google. Firefox saves the change right away. If Google does not appear in the dropdown, scroll down to "One-Click Search Engines" and look for Google there — click the star next to it to make it your default.
How to set Google as default in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar (on Mac) or the settings icon (on iPhone or iPad). Select Settings or Preferences. Click the Search tab.
Under "Search engine," you will see a dropdown menu. Click it and select Google. The change takes effect immediately. On iPhone or iPad, the setting is in the main Settings app under Safari, not in Safari itself — open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap it, and look for "Search Engine."
How to set Google as default in Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left side.
Scroll down to "Search engine" and click the dropdown showing your current default. Select Google. Edge saves the change immediately. If you see a message saying "You can change your search engine anytime," you can ignore it — the change is already made.
What to do if Google is not in the dropdown
Google is built into most browsers, but occasionally it may not appear in the dropdown menu. If that happens, you need to add it first. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, go to Google.com, right-click the search box, and select "Add as search engine" or similar wording. In Safari, Google is usually available in the dropdown, but if it is not, you may need to update your browser to the latest version.
After you add Google, go back to your search engine settings and set it as default using the steps above. The process is the same whether Google was already there or you just added it.
Default search engine settings on your phone
Changing your default search engine on your computer does not change it on your phone or tablet. You need to change the setting separately on each device. On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Safari, and tap "Search Engine" to pick Google. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Search engine, and select Google.
If you use the same browser on multiple devices, each one has its own search engine setting. Signing into your Google account in the browser may sync some settings, but search engine choice is usually not one of them, so you will need to set it on each device where you want Google as your default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default search engine affect my saved passwords or bookmarks?
No. Your default search engine is a separate setting from everything else in your browser. Changing it will not touch your passwords, bookmarks, history, or any other data. You can change it back anytime without losing anything.
Why does my browser keep switching back to a different search engine?
Some software or browser extensions can change your default search engine without asking. Check your browser's extensions or add-ons list and remove anything you do not recognize. On Windows, malware can also cause this — run a scan with Windows Defender or another antivirus tool. After removing the cause, set Google as default again.
Can I use different search engines for different types of searches?
Your browser only lets you pick one default for the address bar. However, you can always type a search directly into Google.com or another search engine's website anytime you want, regardless of what your default is. Some browsers also let you right-click the address bar and choose a different engine for a single search.
Does my internet provider or phone company control my default search engine?
No. Your default search engine is set in your browser, not by your internet provider or phone company. They cannot change it without your permission. If your default keeps changing on its own, the cause is usually a browser extension, malware, or a setting you changed by accident.
What is the difference between my default search engine and my home page?
Your default search engine runs searches when you type in the address bar. Your home page is the website that opens when you start your browser or click the home button. They are separate settings. You can have Google as your default search engine and a different website as your home page.