How to change your search engine on any device
Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question into your browser's address bar or search box. You can change it in your browser settings — the steps differ slightly by browser, but the option is always there and takes less than a minute. You do not need to uninstall anything or contact your internet provider. The change applies only to you on that device.
The most common search engines are Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia. Some are faster, some prioritize privacy, and some donate proceeds to environmental causes. Your choice does not affect your internet speed or your ability to visit any website — it only changes which search engine runs your queries by default.
Key Takeaways
- You change your default search engine in your browser settings, not in your operating system settings or internet provider account.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you pick from a list of built-in options or add a custom search engine.
- The change takes effect immediately and applies only to the browser on that device — other browsers and devices keep their own defaults.
- You can still use a different search engine anytime by going directly to its website, even if it is not your default.
Changing your search engine in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Search engine in the left sidebar. Under "Search engine used in the address bar," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click it to see the list of available options: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia are usually there.
Click the one you want. The change happens immediately. If you want to add a search engine that is not on the list, scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add. You will need the search engine's website address and the format it uses for search queries — most search engines have this information in their settings or help pages.
Changing your search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Search in the left sidebar. Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown showing your current choice. Click it to pick from Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, and others depending on your region.
To add a custom search engine, scroll down to "One-Click Search Engines" and click the + button next to any search engine you want to add. You can also remove search engines from this list by clicking the X next to them. Your default choice takes effect right away.
Changing your search engine in Safari
On a Mac, open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings, then click the Search tab. Under "Search engine," click the dropdown to choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. The change applies immediately.
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Search Engine. Choose your preferred option from the list. Safari does not let you add custom search engines on mobile devices, but you can pick from the built-in options.
Changing your search engine in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Scroll down to "Search engine" and click the dropdown showing your current default. You will see options including Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.
Click the one you want. If you want to add a different search engine, scroll down to "Address bar search engine" and click Manage search engines. Click Add to enter the search engine's website and search format. The change takes effect immediately.
What happens when you change your search engine
When you change your default search engine, only that browser on that device is affected. If you use Chrome on your phone and Firefox on your laptop, you can set a different default in each one. If someone else uses your computer with a different user account, their default search engine stays separate from yours.
You can still visit any search engine's website directly and use it, even if it is not your default. Changing your default does not block other search engines or change how the internet works — it only changes which one runs when you search from your address bar.
Reasons people change their search engine
Some people switch to DuckDuckGo or Ecosia because those search engines do not track your search history or sell your data to advertisers. Others prefer Bing because it integrates with Microsoft services, or Yahoo because of how it displays results. Some choose based on which search engine gives them the most useful results for the kinds of questions they ask.
You might also change your default if your browser was set to a search engine you did not choose — this sometimes happens when you install software or extensions. Changing it back takes the same steps as changing it the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my search engine slow down my internet?
No. Your internet speed depends on your internet service provider and your connection, not on which search engine you use. Different search engines may return results at slightly different speeds, but the difference is usually not noticeable.
Can I have different default search engines for different websites?
Most browsers do not support this. You set one default for the whole browser. However, you can always visit a different search engine's website directly and search there, even if it is not your default.
What if I change my mind and want to switch back?
Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. Open your browser settings, find the search engine option, and click the dropdown to pick a different one. You can change it as many times as you want.
Does changing my search engine affect my passwords or bookmarks?
No. Your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, and all other browser data stay exactly the same. Changing your search engine only changes which search engine runs when you search from your address bar.
Can I use a search engine that is not on the list?
Yes, but only in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. You can add a custom search engine by going to "Other search engines" or "Manage search engines" and entering the search engine's website address and search format. Safari does not support custom search engines.