Google ships as the default search engine in Safari on iPhone and iPad, but Apple lets you pick another in seconds. People switch for privacy, for preference, or to see different result blocks in the address bar.
Since iOS 18 the setting lives under Settings > Apps > Safari, not the old top-level Safari entry. Here is the current path, the five engines you can choose, and the related search switches worth a look.
In this guide, I have covered:
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Where the search engine setting moved in iOS 18
You remember the old path: Settings > Safari > Search Engine. It isn’t there anymore. Apple reorganized Settings in iOS 18 (September 2024) and pushed every app’s preferences into a new Apps section, so the option kept its name but changed address on any iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or later.
The same control also appears in the Default Apps hub at Settings > Apps > Default Apps, next to your browser and email defaults. Most people take the Safari route instead, because it keeps every Safari preference on one screen.
On a device that cannot update past iOS 17, nothing moved. The old Settings > Safari > Search Engine path still works there.
Change the default search engine in Safari on iPhone & iPad
You do not need to open Safari for this, and no account sign-in is involved. The whole change happens inside the Settings app.
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap Apps.
- Scroll the app list and tap Safari.
- Tap Search Engine.
- Choose your preferred engine. A blue check mark confirms the new selection.
Now verify it. Open Safari, type a query into the address bar, and watch where the suggestions come from. You’ll know it worked when both the suggestion list and the first result block match the engine you picked.
Search engines you can pick from in Safari
Safari gives you five built-in options. There is no field for a custom engine URL on iPhone or iPad, so this list is the whole menu:
- Google: the default. Largest web index and fastest on trending topics, but searches are tied to a Google account.
- Yahoo: second-largest index of the big three. Useful if you already use Yahoo Mail or Yahoo Finance.
- Bing: Microsoft’s engine. Independent index, with rewards tied to the Microsoft Rewards program.
- DuckDuckGo: privacy-focused. It does not profile searches or store query history on its servers.
- Ecosia: the fifth option, added to Safari in iOS 14 (December 2020). Ad revenue funds reforestation, and the company publishes monthly financial reports.
Most people land on Google for result quality, DuckDuckGo for privacy, or Ecosia for the environmental angle. Yahoo and Bing stay in the picker for the holdouts, but neither offers a strong reason to switch in 2025.
Other Safari search settings worth checking
You are already on Settings > Apps > Safari, and four nearby switches decide how the address bar behaves while you type.
- Search Engine Suggestions: shows completions from your chosen engine as you type.
- Safari Suggestions: mixes in bookmarks, history matches, and Apple-curated content alongside engine results.
- Quick Website Search: lets you search inside specific sites straight from the address bar (type the site name plus your query).
- Preload Top Hit: loads the top result in the background so it appears faster when you tap it.
Leaving all four on gives the most helpful address bar. Turn Search Engine Suggestions off if you would rather not see completions from your engine, and turn Safari Suggestions off if you want engine-only results with no history or bookmarks mixed in.
For the wider Safari privacy picture, including cross-site tracking and fraud warnings, see our Safari privacy and security settings walkthrough.
Do the same on Mac
The matching setting on macOS sits under Safari > Settings > Search > Search Engine. The engine list and the defaults are identical, so once you pick on iPhone, iPad, and Mac you are done. For the Mac side step by step, see our guide on changing the search engine in Safari on Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Settings > Safari go on my iPhone?
Apple moved per-app settings under a new Apps category in iOS 18 (September 2024). Safari settings now live at Settings > Apps > Safari. The old top-level Settings > Safari entry only remains on devices that cannot update past iOS 17.
Can I add a custom search engine to Safari on iPhone or iPad?
No. Apple removed the option to add a custom engine URL from Safari on iPhone and iPad several iOS versions ago, and the field has not come back. You are limited to the five built-in engines in the picker.
Does changing the default search engine affect Safari history?
No. Search history is shared across engines, so your existing Safari history stays intact after a switch. If you want a clean slate, clear it through Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
Is Google still the default in Safari?
Yes. Safari has shipped with Google as the default engine for years, and that has not changed in iOS 18 or later. The default is in place on every new iPhone and iPad out of the box.
Does switching the engine affect Private Browsing?
The default engine applies to every tab, including Private Browsing windows. To use a different engine for one search inside a Private tab, type the engine URL plus your query directly into the address bar (for example, duckduckgo.com your query). If you are new to Private Browsing on iPhone, our guide to opening new tabs and private tabs in Safari covers the basics.
That is the whole job: pick the engine, run one search to confirm, and Safari uses it everywhere from then on. If you ever want to go back, the same Search Engine screen is where you started.
Having a severe brain injury I need familiarity, although I recently changed my search engine on my iPad to google. I hate it, it has totally screwed up my browsing experience and moving things around. I want to change my search engine back to safari but cannot.
Wish there was a miracle wand to get back to desktop view so I can get my stuff done so tired and frustrated in how to
Amazing how it became undone so quickly but not returned as easily boohoo