How to Set Google Chrome as the Default Browser App

Links from email, messaging apps, or system search keep opening in Edge, Safari, or another browser. Chrome can take over on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and iPad, though the setting hides in a different place on each device.

Start in Chrome's Default browser settings, or in your operating system's app settings if the Chrome button does nothing. Then open a web link from another app and confirm Chrome appears.

In this guide, I have covered:

Set Chrome as the default browser on Windows or Mac

Chrome is installed. Links from email, chat apps, or a desktop program still open in Edge or Safari. Chrome can claim that job back from its own settings.

1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
2. Click the menu.
3. Choose Settings.
   
4. Open the Default browser section.
5. Click Make default.
6. Confirm the system prompt by clicking Set as default on Windows or Use Chrome on Mac.

You’ll know it worked when a web link from another app opens in Chrome. Google documents the same setting in its Chrome default browser guide.

This setting decides which app opens web links, and system search may follow it too. Edge, Firefox, or Safari stay installed. Switch back whenever you like.

Use Windows Default apps to choose Chrome

Sometimes the Make default button does nothing. No prompt appears, and links keep opening in Edge. That is when you go through Windows Default apps yourself.

1. Click on the Start menu and select the Settings option.
   It will open the Windows System settings window.
2. Switch to the Apps menu from the left sidebar and then select the Default apps in the right pane.
   
3. Under the Set defaults for applications, search and select the desired browser (say, Firefox or Chrome) to open.
   
4. Click the Set Default button at the top.
   The desired browser will be set as the default app.

Windows should now list Google Chrome as the default browser. You’ll know it worked when a link from another app opens in Chrome instead of Edge.

TIP: Windows 10 can use the Chrome method above, although its Default apps layout differs from Windows 11.

The Windows screens work the same way for any other browser. See Change the Default Browser app in Windows OS.

Use macOS System Settings to choose Chrome

On a Mac, links from Mail or a chat app can still open in Safari even though Chrome is installed. On macOS Ventura and later, the browser control lives under Desktop & Dock. It is no longer under General.

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Choose System Settings.
3. Select Desktop & Dock in the sidebar.
4. Scroll to the Default web browser dropdown.
5. Choose Google Chrome from the list.

Open a link from Mail or another desktop app. Chrome should appear. If Safari still takes it, the dropdown did not save.

On older macOS versions, look under System Preferences > General for the Default web browser option.

Picking a browser other than Chrome uses the same dropdown. See Change the Default Browser app on the Mac.

Choose Chrome in Android’s Default apps menu

On Android, a link tapped in a messaging app can open in Samsung Internet or whatever came preinstalled. Having Chrome installed is not enough. Android keeps its own Default apps menu for this.

1. Open the Settings app on the Android Phone.
2. Select the Apps settings and scroll down to the Default apps section.
   
3. Choose the Browser app option within the Default apps settings screen.
   It will display the list of available web browser apps on your device.
4. Choose the new Default browser for Android from available apps.
   The newly selected browser will be set as the default browser on your Android smartphone.

You’ll know it worked when a link tapped in a messaging app opens in Chrome. If the old browser still takes it, reopen Default apps and check the Browser app entry.

For a different choice on Android, see Change Default Browser app on Android Device.

Choose Chrome in Apple’s Default Apps menu

On iPhone and iPad, Safari stays the default until you pick something else. Apple’s Default Apps screen is where that choice lives now.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap Default Apps.
4. Tap Browser App.
5. Select Google Chrome.

A link opened from Mail or Messages should now launch Chrome. Try one before you close Settings.

On older iOS and iPadOS versions that use the Safari settings page, choose Settings > Safari > Default Browser App. Apple’s iPhone and iPad default app guide shows the current route.

To pick another browser on iPhone or iPad, use Change Default Browser app on iPhone & iPad.

Install Google Chrome before changing the default browser

A browser that is not on the machine cannot be picked as the default. If Chrome is missing from every list above, install the full Google Chrome desktop app first.

1. Open the system's default web browser on your computer.
2. Visit the official Google Chrome website download page.
3. Click the Download Chrome button.
   The site will automatically detect your operating system to download compatible installer files.
4. Open and run the installer file from the Downloads folder in your system.
   
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest Chrome browser.

You’ll know it worked when Chrome shows up in the app list and opens normally. Then go back and set it as the default.

If Chrome is installed but needs the latest version, our download and install the Chrome app guide covers it.

Fix a default browser change that did not take effect

Chrome is installed, you set it as default, and links still open elsewhere. Most of the time Windows or macOS is not seeing the full Chrome app.

Reinstall Chrome if the full app is missing

Windows and macOS build their default app lists from installed desktop apps. If Chrome is absent, the browser probably did not install completely.

1. Follow Reinstall Google Chrome app on any Device or Platform.
2. Open your operating system’s default app list again.

Remove a separate Chrome web app

A separately installed Chrome app (PWA) is not the full desktop browser. Remove that copy first, then set the default again.

RELATED: Uninstall Chrome App (PWA) from Chrome Browser on a Computer

Test the change with a new link

1. Open a link from an app outside Chrome, such as email or messaging.
2. Confirm that Chrome opens the page.

If another browser opens it, the system setting did not stick. Return to the section for your platform and check that Google Chrome is the selected browser, not just a name in the list.