What changing your preferred browser means

Your preferred browser is the program your computer or phone uses to open web links by default. When you click a link in an email, document, or text message, it launches in whichever browser you have set as the default. Changing it means picking a different browser — like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — to be the one that opens automatically.

The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. Each operating system has its own settings menu for this change, and it takes just a few clicks or taps. You do not need to uninstall your old browser; both can live on your device at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and select your browser from the list.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences > General and use the "Default web browser" dropdown menu.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > [Browser Name] and tap "Default Browser App" to switch.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and choose your browser for "Browser app".
  • You can change your default browser as many times as you want; the change takes effect immediately.

Changing your default browser on Windows

Open the Windows Settings menu by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Once it opens, click Apps in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Default Apps.

Scroll through the list until you see Web Browser. Click on it, and a window will show all the browsers installed on your computer. Select the one you want to use as your default. The change happens immediately — the next link you click will open in that browser.

If you do not see your preferred browser in the list, it may not be installed yet. You can download Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or other browsers from their official websites. Once installed, repeat the steps above to set it as default.

Changing your default browser on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Look for General in the sidebar and click it.

Near the bottom of the General window, you will see a dropdown menu labeled Default web browser. Click the dropdown and select the browser you want to use. The list shows only browsers that are currently installed on your Mac. Close the window when you are done — the change is saved automatically.

Changing your default browser on iPhone

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

Inside that browser's settings, look for an option called Default Browser App and tap it. You will see a list of browsers installed on your phone. Select the one you want. From that moment on, links from emails, messages, and other apps will open in that browser.

If you want to switch back to Safari (Apple's built-in browser), follow the same steps but select Safari from the list instead.

Changing your default browser on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Apps (the exact name may vary slightly by phone model). Then tap Default Apps.

Look for an option called Browser app or Web browser. Tap it and select the browser you want to use from the list. The change takes effect right away. If you do not see your preferred browser listed, it may not be installed; you can download it from the Google Play Store first.

What happens after you change your default browser

Once you set a new default browser, all links that open automatically will use that browser. This includes links in emails, text messages, social media apps, and documents. You can still manually open a different browser anytime you want — changing the default does not prevent you from using other browsers.

Your old browser remains on your device. Changing the default does not uninstall it or delete any bookmarks, passwords, or history stored in it. If you want to remove a browser you no longer use, you can uninstall it through your device's app management settings, but that is a separate step.

Switching back to your original browser

If you change your default browser and later decide you prefer a different one, you can switch back using the same steps. There is no limit to how many times you can change your default browser. Some people switch between browsers depending on what they are doing — for example, using one for work and another for personal browsing.

If you want to go back to the browser that came with your device (Edge on Windows, Safari on Mac and iPhone, Chrome on most Android phones), follow the same steps and select it from the default apps menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in the browser where you saved them. Changing the default browser does not affect any data stored in your other browsers. If you want to use bookmarks from your old browser in the new one, most browsers have an import feature in their settings menu.

Can I have multiple browsers on my device at the same time?

Yes. You can install as many browsers as you want on your computer or phone. Setting one as the default does not remove the others. You can open any browser manually whenever you want, even if it is not the default.

What if I cannot find the default browser setting on my device?

The location varies by device and operating system version. Try searching your Settings app for the word "default" or "browser." If you are still stuck, the browser you want to use (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) usually has a help page that walks through the steps for your specific device.

Does changing my default browser affect my internet speed?

No. Your internet speed depends on your connection, not which browser is set as default. Different browsers may feel faster or slower to you based on how they load pages, but the underlying internet connection is the same.