Set Chrome as default in Windows 10 or 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then select Default apps. Scroll down until you see Web browser, click it, and select Google Chrome from the list of installed browsers.

Windows will ask you to confirm. Click Chrome again in the popup window. After this, any link you click in emails, documents, or other programs will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was set before.

If you don't see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome is not installed on your computer. You'll need to download it from google.com/chrome first, then return to Settings and repeat these steps.

Set Chrome as default on Mac

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. In the left sidebar, click Default browser. You'll see a button that says Make default — click it.

Mac will show a popup asking you to confirm that you want Chrome to be your default browser. Click Open to finish. From that point forward, links from Safari, Mail, and other apps will open in Chrome.

Set Chrome as default on Android phones and tablets

Open the Chrome app and tap the three dots in the bottom right corner. Select Settings, then tap General. Tap Default browser and select Chrome from the list.

Android will return you to the Settings screen. The change takes effect immediately. Any link you tap in text messages, email, or web pages will now open in Chrome.

What happens when you change your default browser

Setting Chrome as your default browser means that when you click or tap a link anywhere on your device — in an email, a document, a text message, or a social media post — it will open in Chrome instead of whatever browser was previously set as default. The old browser remains installed and you can still open it manually if you want to use it for a specific task.

Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in whichever browser they were saved in. Changing the default browser does not move your data from one browser to another. If you had bookmarks in Safari or Firefox, they remain there unless you manually export them to Chrome.

Change your default browser back if you want

You can switch back to a different default browser at any time by following the same steps and selecting a different browser name. Windows, Mac, and Android all allow you to change your default as often as you like. There is no penalty or waiting period.

Some programs or websites may ask you to set a specific browser as default when you install them. You can ignore these requests and keep Chrome as your default, or you can change it temporarily and switch back whenever you want.

Troubleshooting: Chrome won't stay as default

On Windows, if Chrome keeps reverting to a different browser, check whether you have other browser software running in the background. Some programs install their own browser or browser extensions that try to reset the default. Open your Windows Settings, go to Apps and Installed apps, and look for any browser-related software you don't recognize. Uninstall it, then set Chrome as default again.

On Mac, make sure you have the latest version of Chrome installed. Open Chrome, click the three dots, go to Settings, then About Chrome. If an update is available, Chrome will download and install it automatically. Restart Chrome after the update and try setting it as default again.

On Android, if Chrome won't stay as default, restart your phone. Go back to Chrome's Settings, tap General, then Default browser, and select Chrome again. If the problem continues, clear Chrome's cache by going to your phone's Settings, finding Apps, selecting Chrome, and tapping Clear cache.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps and then Default apps, find Web browser, and select Chrome.
  • On Mac, open Chrome, click the menu dots, select Settings, click Default browser, and click Make default.
  • On Android, open Chrome, tap the menu dots, go to Settings and General, then tap Default browser and select Chrome.
  • Changing your default browser does not move your bookmarks or passwords — they stay in the browser where you saved them.
  • You can change your default browser back to something else at any time by repeating the same steps and selecting a different browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does setting Chrome as default delete my other browsers?

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

Will my bookmarks and passwords move to Chrome if I change the default?

No. Your bookmarks and passwords stay in the browser where you saved them. If you want to use them in Chrome, you'll need to import them. In Chrome, click the three dots, go to Settings, click Bookmarks, then click Import bookmarks and settings, and select the browser you want to import from.

Why does my default browser keep changing back?

On Windows, other software or browser extensions sometimes reset your default. Check your installed apps for any browser-related programs you didn't install yourself and uninstall them. On Mac, make sure Chrome is fully updated. On Android, restart your phone and try setting Chrome as default again.

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

No. Windows, Mac, and Android only allow one default browser for all links. However, you can always manually choose which browser to use by right-clicking a link (on computer) or long-pressing it (on phone) and selecting "Open with" or a similar option.