Firefox ships with Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo already installed, but the Firefox default search engine in many regions is not Google. You can switch it from the Search settings on desktop, Android, or iOS in a few clicks.
There is also a keyboard shortcut to cycle engines for a single search. If Firefox Sync is turned on, the change carries over to your other signed-in devices.
In this guide, I have covered:
Contents
Why Firefox default search engine may not be Google
You opened Firefox, typed a search in the address bar, and the results came from Bing or DuckDuckGo. Firefox ships with Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo already installed, but the first-run default depends on your region and setup.
Google is built in on every platform, so switching to it only takes a few clicks. If Firefox Sync is turned on, the change also syncs to your other devices, which helps when you use Firefox on both a phone and a computer.
Change the default search engine on Windows, macOS, or Linux
On desktop, the Google switch lives in the same Search settings on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Mozilla’s Search settings guide covers the same options if you want more detail.
- Open Firefox and click the hamburger menu
at the top right of the window. On macOS, click Firefox in the menu bar at the top of the screen and choose Settings. - Click Settings in the menu that opens. You can also type about:preferences in the address bar and press to jump straight to the same page.
- Click Search in the left sidebar.
- Under Default Search Engine, open the dropdown.
- Select Google from the list.
Firefox saves your change automatically. Type a quick query in the address bar to confirm that searches now go to Google.
If Firefox Sync is enabled with the Sync Settings option turned on, this preference also pushes to your other signed-in devices the next time they connect.
Change the default search engine on Android
Firefox for Android puts the search engine switch right in the address bar, so you do not have to open a settings menu.
- Open Firefox on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap the search engine icon on the left side of the address bar. It shows the currently selected engine.
- Tap Search settings.
- Tap Default search engine.
- Pick Google from the list.
The setting takes effect right away, and the next search you run from the address bar will go through Google.
Change the default search engine on iPhone or iPad
On iPhone or iPad, Firefox hides the search preference a little deeper, but the steps are still short.
- Open Firefox on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the hamburger menu at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Under General, tap Search.
- Choose Google under Default Search Engine.
Your choice is saved immediately. It also syncs to other devices if Firefox Sync is turned on.
Quick way to switch engines without opening Settings
If you only need a different engine for one search, Firefox has a keyboard shortcut that works from the search bar.
- Click inside the address or search bar in Firefox.
- Press + or + on Windows or Linux, or + or + on macOS to cycle through the available search engines.
TIP: This trick is handy when you regularly hop between Google and a privacy-focused engine in the same browsing session. Stop on the engine you want before running your search.
What to do if Google is missing from the list
Google is built into Firefox almost everywhere, but a managed profile, regional build, or corrupted data can make it disappear or refuse to stay selected.
- A managed Firefox install (work, school, or family controls) can lock the default engine. Look on the Search page for a note like “This preference is managed.” If you see it, your administrator controls the default and the standard Settings page will not override it.
- If your Firefox build or region shipped without Google in the dropdown, install the official Google Search add-on from the add-ons site. It will then show up under your installed search engines.
- Corrupted profile data can also drop engines from the list. Resetting Firefox or starting a fresh profile usually restores them.
Firefox also exposes an about:config preference called browser.search.defaultenginename that can force the default engine. Editing it is an advanced path and easy to break, so prefer the regular Settings page unless nothing else works.
If none of the above resolves it, clearing Firefox’s cookies and cache rules out a stale state. You can also test in a private window to confirm whether an extension is interfering with the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few edge cases can make the search engine switch confusing. Here are the most common questions and fixes.
Do I need to install anything to make Google the default in Firefox?
No. Google is one of the engines that ships with Firefox on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Pick it from the Default Search Engine dropdown and you are done. Only install the Google Search add-on if your build of Firefox does not list it by default.
Will switching to Google remove my Firefox Sync data?
No. Sync handles bookmarks, history, logins, open tabs, and preferences separately. Changing the default search engine only updates that one preference, and it propagates to your other devices only if you have Sync turned on.
Why does Firefox keep reverting to DuckDuckGo or Bing after I change it?
If a managed or parental control profile is forcing a specific engine, Firefox will reset it on each launch. Check the Search page for a “This preference is managed” note, or talk to whoever manages your device.
Can I keep different default engines for normal and private windows?
Yes. On the desktop Search page, use the separate Default Search Engine in Private Windows dropdown to pick a different engine for private browsing. That lets Google stay the default for normal windows while private windows use a privacy-focused engine.
Does the keyboard shortcut work on mobile?
No. The Ctrl or Cmd plus Up and Down shortcut only works in Firefox on Windows, macOS, and Linux. On Android and iOS, use the menu steps in the sections above.
