How to change default browser on Windows, macOS, Android and iPhone

How-to
By Peter Wolinski
Contributions from
Robert Irvine
 last updated

Here's how to change default browser on all your devices

A Google Chrome logo displayed on an Android smartphone resting on an orange and red surface
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
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Learning how to change default browser will let you customize your web browsing experience according to your preference. After all, who wants to be stuck using Microsoft Edge? That’s right: nobody.

Fortunately, it’s easy to change default browser on all of the major computer and mobile platforms. So, whether you’re using one of the best phones or best computers, changing default browser will take you no time at all.

Here’s how to change default browser.

How to change default browser on all devices

Note: before we get started, you will need to have installed at least one other browser in addition to your current default browser to be able to change default browser.

How to change default browser: Windows

The steps below were taken on Windows 10, but should be extremely similar to those on Windows 11.

1. Hit the WIN key or click the Start menu icon to open Start, then click the Settings cog.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Click Apps.

(Image credit: Future)

3.  Click Default apps on the left.

(Image credit: Future)

4. Click Web Browser.

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5. Click a browser to make it default.

(Image credit: Future)

How to change default browser: macOS

1. Click the Apple logo, top left, then click System Preferences.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Click General.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Click the Default web browser dropdown.

(Image credit: Future)

4. Click a browser to make it default.

(Image credit: Future)

How to change default browser:Android

1. Open Settings and tap Apps.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Tap Default apps.

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3. Tap Browser app.

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4. Tap a browser to make it default.

(Image credit: Future)

How to change default browser: iPhone & iPad

1. Open the Settings app and tap Safari.

Note: you can also tap any other installed browser's setting tile, but Safari is always highest placed in the Settings menu so it makes sense to just use that.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Tap Default Browser App.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Tap a browser to make it default.

(Image credit: Future)

Not so difficult, right? Whichever platform you're on. If you'd like more tips on using your tech, we can also show you how to download YouTube videos and how to download videos from Facebook. If you want to change other default apps, learn how to change default apps on Mac. And if you want to customize Chrome, learn how to set Chrome flags.

Peter Wolinski
Peter Wolinski
Reviews Editor

Peter is Reviews Editor at Tom's Guide. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, riding his motorcycle, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots. 

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