What changing your default browser means and why you might do it

Your default web browser is the program that opens automatically when you click a link in an email, document, or text message. Windows comes with Microsoft Edge, Mac comes with Safari, and Android comes with Chrome — but you can change this to Firefox, Opera, Brave, or any other browser you install.

Changing your default browser does not remove the old one or affect anything else on your device. The old browser stays installed and works normally if you open it by hand. You are just telling your device which program to use when a link needs to open on its own.

The steps differ by device type because Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android each store this setting in a different place. This guide walks through each one in order.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select your browser from the list.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default web browser and pick from the dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps and scroll to the browser you want, then tap "Default Browser App".
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select your choice.
  • Your old browser remains installed and usable; changing the default only affects which one opens automatically.

Changing your default browser on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Apps in the left menu, then click Default apps near the top of the right panel.

Scroll down until you see Web browser. Click on whatever browser is currently listed there — usually Microsoft Edge. A window will pop up showing all the browsers you have installed on your computer. Click the one you want to use as your default. The change takes effect immediately.

If the browser you want does not appear in the list, it means you have not installed it yet. Go to the Microsoft Store or the browser's official website, download it, and run the installer. Then repeat the steps above.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the left sidebar, then look for Default web browser on the right side of the screen.

Click the dropdown menu next to it. You will see all the browsers installed on your Mac. Select the one you want. The change saves automatically and takes effect right away.

If your browser does not appear in the dropdown, download it first from the App Store or the browser's website, then return to this menu.

Changing your default browser on iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find the name of the browser you want to use as your default — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Tap on it.

Look for an option called Default Browser App and tap it. A list of browsers will appear. Select the one you want. The setting takes effect immediately, and any link you tap will now open in that browser.

You must have the browser installed on your phone before it will appear in this menu. If you do not see the browser you want, go to the App Store, search for it, and tap Get to install it first.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app and tap Apps. Tap Default apps (the exact wording varies by phone model and Android version). Look for Browser app and tap it.

A list of installed browsers will appear. Tap the one you want to use. The change takes effect immediately.

If you do not see the browser you want in the list, you need to install it first. Open the Google Play Store, search for the browser by name, and tap Install. Then return to Settings and repeat the steps above.

What to do if you cannot find the setting

On older versions of Windows (Windows 7 or earlier), the process is different. Right-click on the desktop, select New, then Shortcut. In the location field, type the path to your browser's executable file — for example, C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe for Firefox. Name the shortcut and click Finish. This does not change the system default, but it gives you a quick way to open your preferred browser.

On very old Mac systems, the default browser setting may not exist. In that case, you can set a browser as your default by opening that browser, going to its preferences or settings menu, and looking for an option like "Make this my default browser" or "Set as default".

If you are using a work computer or school device, your administrator may have locked this setting so you cannot change it. Contact your IT department or help desk if you cannot access the default browser menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history from the old one?

No. Your old browser stays on your device with all its bookmarks, passwords, and history intact. Changing the default only affects which browser opens when you click a link. You can still open the old browser manually whenever you want.

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

No. Your device allows only one default browser at a time. All links will open in whichever browser you set as the default. Some browsers let you create profiles or use extensions to route certain links differently, but the system-level default is always a single choice.

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

Follow the same steps and select a different browser. You can change your default browser as many times as you want, and there is no penalty or waiting period. The change takes effect immediately each time.

Do I need to restart my device after changing the default browser?

No. The change takes effect right away on all devices. You do not need to restart, log out, or close any programs.