How to change your default browser on Mac
Open System Settings, go to General, then select Default web browser from the dropdown menu. Choose whichever browser you want to open when you click links in emails, documents, or other apps. The change takes effect immediately — you do not need to restart your Mac.
This setting controls which browser opens automatically when your Mac encounters a web link outside of any browser window. It does not change which browser you use when you manually open one yourself.
Key Takeaways
- The default browser setting lives in System Settings under General, not in any individual browser's preferences.
- Your Mac must have the browser you want to set as default already installed before it will appear in the dropdown menu.
- Changing the default browser does not uninstall your old one or affect bookmarks, passwords, or other data stored in any browser.
- If you switch back to Safari later, the process is identical — open System Settings, find the dropdown, and select Safari.
Where to find the default browser setting
The default browser setting moved locations between older and newer versions of macOS. On macOS Sonoma and later, it is in System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder). Click General in the left sidebar, then look for Default web browser near the bottom of the right panel.
On macOS Ventura and earlier, the same setting is in System Preferences under General. The name and location are the same; only the app name changed. If you are unsure which version you have, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac — the version number appears at the top.
Which browsers appear in the dropdown
The dropdown menu only shows browsers that are installed on your Mac. Safari always appears because it comes built-in. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Brave, and other third-party browsers appear only after you download and install them from their official websites or the App Store.
If the browser you want is not in the dropdown, download it first, then return to System Settings. The browser should appear in the list once installation is complete. You do not need to open the browser or create an account — simply having it installed is enough.
What happens when you change the default
Once you select a new default browser and close System Settings, any link you click outside of a browser window will open in your new choice. This includes links in Mail, Messages, Notes, PDF documents, web pages within apps, and anywhere else your Mac recognizes a URL.
Your old browser remains installed and unchanged. All your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and extensions stay exactly where they are. You can still open your old browser manually whenever you want — changing the default only affects what happens when you click a link automatically.
Switching back to Safari or another browser
If you decide to use a different browser later, the process is identical. Open System Settings, go to General, click the Default web browser dropdown, and select the browser you want. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want without losing any data or settings in any of your browsers.
Safari is always available as an option, even if you have not used it in years. Switching back to Safari does not require reinstalling anything — it is already on your Mac.
Troubleshooting when the dropdown does not work
If clicking the dropdown does nothing, or if your preferred browser does not appear in the list, try restarting your Mac. Sometimes the System Settings app does not immediately recognize a newly installed browser until you restart.
If the browser is still missing after a restart, reinstall it. Download the latest version from the browser's official website, run the installer, and move the app to your Applications folder if prompted. Then return to System Settings and check the dropdown again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the default browser affect my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and all other data remain in whichever browser you stored them in. Changing the default browser only changes which app opens when you click a link — it does not move or delete anything.
Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?
No. macOS allows only one default browser for all links. You cannot set Chrome as default for work links and Firefox for personal links. You can only choose one browser to handle all automatic link-opening.
What if my preferred browser does not appear in the dropdown?
The browser must be installed on your Mac before it appears in the dropdown. Download it from the browser's official website or the App Store, complete the installation, and restart your Mac. Then open System Settings again and look for it in the list.
Will changing the default browser slow down my Mac?
No. Changing which browser is default does not affect your Mac's performance. Having multiple browsers installed uses some disk space, but switching between them or setting a new default does not make your Mac run slower.
Can I change the default browser on someone else's account on my Mac?
No. Each user account on a Mac has its own System Settings and default browser choice. You can only change the default for the account you are currently logged into. Other users must change their own defaults from their own accounts.