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Set the Google Chrome as Default Browser app

Do you want to set up Google Chrome as your default browser on your devices? Learn how to choose the default browser app to open links.

Every operating system and device has its preferred browser app. However, they also offer the option to choose the installed browser and set it as a default.

Hence, we can choose to have Google Chrome as the default browser. The default app helps open the links and display the search results when using the system search.

In this guide, we have shared the steps to set the Chrome app as the default browser on different devices and operating systems.

Set Chrome as Default Browser on Windows 11 & 10

The default browser app on Windows 11 can be changed from the default app setting. Switch the browser app and choose Chrome app. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. On your Windows computer, click the Start menu.
  2. Choose the Settings options menu.
    Windows 10 Settings window
  3. Select the Apps tab and open Default Apps from the sidebar pane.
    Windows 10 Apps and features window
  4. Click on the Current default browser.
  5. In the Choose an app window, choose Google Chrome.
    Windows 10 Default Apps settings window
  6. Hit on the Done command button.

It will make Google Chrome your default browser on Windows computers.

Alternatively, you can search for ‘default apps’ in the Windows search to land on the Default apps settings page.

Set Chrome app on Windows 8, 7, and earlier as Default

The steps to set Google Chrome as your default browser differ for people using Windows 8 or 7. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Click the Start menu and open the Control Panel.
    Windows 7 Control Panel Window
  2. Click Programs > Choose Default Programs and then Set Default Programs.
    Windows 7 OS Default Programs settings window
  3. On the left side of the list, select the Google Chrome program.
  4. Choose Set this program as the default option.
    Google Chrome Set as Default Program in Windows 7
  5. Hit the OK button, and you are done.

With Windows 8 and earlier, all app settings are accessed using the control panel.

Setting the Chrome browser as the Default app on the Mac

The Safari app is the default browser on Mac. However, we can switch to the Chrome app. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. On your Mac computer, open the Google Chrome app.
  2. Click the More vertical 3-dots icon options menu and select Settings.
    Google Chrome Settings options
  3. Switch to the Default browser tab in the left sidebar,
  4. Click Make default command under Default browser section.
    Set Chrome Default Browser on Mac

Whereas Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer are the default browsers for Windows, Safari is the browser for Mac OS.

do you want to change your default web browser to chrome

Please note that you must download and install Google Chrome on your Mac before proceeding to the above steps to set it as default.

Alternatively, you can set Chrome as the default browser from the System Preferences/Settings menu.

  1. Click on Apple apple logo in the menubar.
  2. Choose the System Preferences/Settings menu option.
    Apple macOS System Preferences
  3. Choose the General settings category.
  4. Under the General settings window, select Google Chrome as the default web browser.
    Default web browser general settings in mac

That will set Google Chrome as the Default web browser app on the Mac OS computer.

Settings Chrome as the default browser on Android

Chrome is pre-installed on Android phones and is the default one. However, the customized stock Android UI like MIUI, ColorOS, LineageOS, etc., have their browser as the default. Here are the steps to change:

  1. On your Android phone, open Settings.
  2. Tap the Apps and Notifications menu.
    Android Apps and Notifications Settings
  3. Open the Advanced tab menu and choose the Default Apps tab.
    Default apps in Android phone
  4. Open the Browser app menu for options.
  5. Select Chrome Chrome from the available list.
    Default browser apps in android phone

Also, your Android phone might offer browser options when opening a link. Select Google Chrome and choose Always instead of Just once to set it as a default browser.

Setting up Chrome as the default app on iPhone/iPad

The latest iOS 14 has added a feature to set any installed web browser as the Default browser app in iOS. Earlier, only the Safari browser had a monopoly on iPhones and iPads. Here are the steps to change the default browser app:

  1. Launch the device Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and select Safari to open the Safari Settings page.
  3. Tap on the Default Browser App menu.
    Default Browser App Settings page in iPhone
  4. Choose the Chrome app from the list of available browsers.
    Default Browser App as Chrome iPhoneIt will set the Chrome app as the default browser app.

You can also add the Chrome app to Dock. Just Tap and Hold the Chrome app until it starts jiggling. Move the Chrome app to the Dock pane at the bottom of the screen and release it to make it permanent.

iOS Apps Jiggle

If there is no space on Docker, remove any one app you no longer need. You must first install it on your phone before you can use it.

Bottom Line

All devices and platforms offer the option to change the default browser app. Hence, we can set Google Chrome as the default app. It helps in opening all the links and search results.

To set it as default, we must first download and install the Chrome app on the device.

If you’re looking to set any other browser as default, then we already have guides for different operating systems and devices that you can follow:

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.

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Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza is a Google Certified IT Professional, Digital Content Creator, and Go-To Digital Marketer with Engineering Degree. He has over a decade of experience solving tech problems, troubleshooting, and innovating digital solutions. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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