Chrome becomes your default browser when you change your system settings, not through Chrome itself

Your default browser is the program your computer or phone opens whenever you click a link, open an email attachment, or type a web address. Changing it to Chrome means going into your device's settings, not into Chrome. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, but all of them take under two minutes.

You do not need to uninstall your current browser or download anything extra. Chrome must already be installed on your device — if it is not, you can download it free from google.com/chrome. Once it is installed, you move to your device settings and tell the system to use Chrome by default.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps, find your current browser, and select Chrome from the list.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences, click General, find Default Web Browser, and select Google Chrome from the dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap Default Browser App, and select Chrome.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, select your current default browser, and choose Chrome as the replacement.
  • After you change the setting, test it by clicking a link in an email or document to confirm Chrome opens.

Changing your default browser on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on Apps in the left sidebar. Then click Default Apps. You will see a list of app categories — look for Web Browser.

Click on whatever browser is currently listed under Web Browser (usually Microsoft Edge). A menu will pop up showing all the browsers installed on your computer. Find Google Chrome in that list and click it. The change takes effect immediately. You can close Settings after that.

If you do not see Chrome in the list, it means Chrome is not installed yet. Go to google.com/chrome, download it, run the installer, and then return to Settings to repeat the steps above.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Click General in the sidebar. Look for the option labeled Default Web Browser — it will show your current browser's name.

Click the dropdown menu next to Default Web Browser and select Google Chrome. Close System Preferences. The change is immediate and applies to all links you open from that point forward.

Changing your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down the list until you find Chrome — do not click it yet. Tap on Chrome to open its settings page. Look for the option labeled Default Browser App and tap it. Select Chrome from the list that appears.

You will return to Chrome's settings page. Close Settings and return to your home screen. The change is now active. Any link you tap in Safari, Mail, Messages, or other apps will now open in Chrome instead.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Apps (or Applications depending on your phone model). Find your current default browser in the list — usually Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet. Tap on it to open its details page.

Look for a button or option that says Set as Default or Default Apps. Tap it and select Chrome from the menu. Some Android phones instead require you to go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and select Chrome directly from there. Either way, once you confirm the choice, Chrome becomes your default.

Testing that Chrome is now your default

After you change the setting, test it to make sure it worked. Open an email in Gmail or your email app and click any link in the message body. If Chrome opens, the change was successful. You can also try clicking a link in a text message or document.

If your old browser still opens, go back to your device settings and repeat the steps above. Sometimes the change does not register on the first try, especially if your old browser was running in the background. Close all browser windows and try again.

What to do if Chrome does not appear in the default browser list

If you follow the steps for your device but Chrome does not show up in the list of browsers, Chrome is not installed. Download it from google.com/chrome, run the installer, and wait for it to finish. Then return to your device settings and repeat the default browser steps.

On Windows, after you install Chrome, you may need to restart your computer before it appears in the Settings list. On Mac and iPhone, the change usually takes effect immediately after installation. On Android, Chrome comes pre-installed on most phones, so if it is not showing up, check that you have not disabled it — go to Settings > Apps, find Chrome, and tap Enable if that option appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords from my old browser?

No. Changing your default browser only tells your device which program to open when you click a link. It does not touch any data in your old browser. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay where they are. If you want to move them to Chrome, you can import them — Chrome has a built-in import tool under Settings > Import Bookmarks and Settings.

Can I have more than one default browser?

No. Your device can only have one default browser at a time. When you click a link, it will always open in whichever browser you set as default. You can still open other browsers manually and use them whenever you want — you just have to launch them yourself instead of having links open them automatically.

Do I need to uninstall my old browser to make Chrome the default?

No. You can keep your old browser installed and just change which one opens by default. Many people keep multiple browsers installed for different purposes. Changing the default does not remove anything.

What if I change my mind and want to switch back to my old browser?

Follow the same steps for your device, but select your old browser instead of Chrome. The process is identical — just pick a different browser from the list. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.