You can change the default search engine in Chrome on Android from Settings in a few taps. The browser offers a fixed list of engines, plus any search site you've used recently.
Google Search is the default in most regions. Below, you'll see the official path, what you can pick, and what happens in Incognito tabs after the switch.
In this guide, I have covered:
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Change the Default Search Engine in Google Chrome on Android
Trying to move away from Google Search, or switch back after trying something else? Chrome on Android keeps that option in Settings. Google Search is the default in most regions, but you can change it any time from More → Settings → Basics → Search engine.
Pick a built-in option, or tap an engine you’ve used recently. The change applies to the next search you run from the address bar.
Open Chrome’s Search Engine Settings
Need the step-by-step path? It matches the route Google documents in its Chrome Help article on default search engines. The location hasn’t moved on recent versions of Chrome for Android.
- Open the Chrome app on your Android phone.
- Tap More
in the top-right corner. - Select Settings.
- Under Basics, tap Search engine.
- Tap the engine you want to use. The currently selected one has a check mark.
Done. Type something in the address bar and the new engine handles the search. Want the matching homepage? See how to change the homepage URL in Chrome on Android.
Which Search Engines Can You Choose?
Wondering what your options actually look like? Chrome ships with a short fixed list under Search engine. The exact options vary by region, but Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo appear almost everywhere.
There is no field for typing a custom URL on Android the way older versions of Chrome once allowed. Any engine you actually search with on its own website gets added to the list automatically though. The next time you open Settings → Basics → Search engine, it shows up under Recently visited and you can promote it to your default.
Switch Back to Google as the Default
Switched away and want Google Search back? The steps are the same: open More → Settings → Basics → Search engine and tap Google. In most regions it sits at the top of the list and already has the check mark.
If Google is missing from the list, your device was probably set up in a region where Chrome ships with a different default. You can still pick whichever engine you want from the picker, and Chrome remembers it from then on.
Other Chrome Settings Worth Adjusting on Android
Already sorted your search engine? A few other settings in the same Settings screen pair well with it.
- Change the homepage URL in Chrome on Android so the new tab opens the site you actually use.
- Allow or block cookies in Chrome on Android if the new engine behaves oddly because of stored cookies.
- View the desktop layout in Chrome on Android when search results feel cramped on mobile.
The same change on your other devices uses a slightly different path. See the Chrome on Computer and Chrome on iPhone and iPad guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set Google as the default search engine on Android?
Open Chrome, tap More → Settings → Basics → Search engine, then pick Google. Google is the default in most regions, so it usually already has the check mark. If Chrome was installed in a non-Google region and shows a different engine, tapping Google here switches it back.
Where is the Search engine option in Chrome on Android?
It lives under Settings → Basics, not under Privacy and security. If you cannot find it, update Chrome from the Play Store, since very old versions group the option elsewhere.
Can I add a custom search engine to Chrome on Android?
No. Chrome on Android only exposes the built-in list plus any engines you have searched with recently. There is no field for entering a custom search URL.
Why are recently visited sites appearing in my search engine list?
Chrome adds any engine you actually searched with on its own website to the Recently visited section under Search engine. It’s a built-in shortcut, so you’re not limited to the default options.
Does this change the search engine for Incognito tabs too?
Yes. The default search engine is a browser-level setting, so Incognito uses whatever you picked in Settings → Basics → Search engine. If you want a refresher on how Incognito works, see how to open the Incognito and new tabs in Chrome on Android.
Doesn’t really cover what to do if you want an engine that’s not on the list. For example, I want Google (UK) because using a localised Google engine has a big effect on the relevance of results.
Hi David, Google is smart enough to show the results based on your location proximity (if you have allowed Google to read your current location). However, Chrome on Android doesn’t allow to add or customize the search engine addresses. However, you can add a custom search engine in Chrome to your computer.
My default search engine is set to Google, but when I put in a search, it switches to Bing. How do I stop this? I’m on an LG G6 Android phone.
Seems like a bloatware or malware app is changing your device settings. Is your phone rooted by any chance? Consider resetting your Chrome browser.