Change Your Default Search Engine in Fire Tablet Settings

You can change which search engine appears when you use the Fire Tablet's search bar by going into the device settings. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on all Fire Tablet models. Open Settings, tap Apps & Notifications, then Default Apps, and select Web Browser. From there, you can choose a different search engine from the list provided.

Fire Tablets come set to use Amazon's search engine by default, which returns results from both the web and Amazon's store. If you prefer Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine, you can switch without downloading anything new — these options are already built into the tablet's browser settings.

Key Takeaways

  • The default search engine setting is found in Settings > Apps & Notifications > Default Apps > Web Browser.
  • Fire Tablets offer Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and other search engines as built-in options without requiring any downloads.
  • Changing the default search engine only affects searches you type into the tablet's search bar, not searches within individual apps.
  • If you use a third-party browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can set its own search engine preferences separately from the Fire Tablet's default.

Step-by-Step: Changing the Default Search Engine

Start by unlocking your Fire Tablet and swiping down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu. Tap the gear icon labeled Settings. On the Settings screen, look for Apps & Notifications and tap it.

Once you are in Apps & Notifications, scroll down and tap Default Apps. You will see a list of app categories — find and tap Web Browser. The tablet will show you the current default browser and a list of other browsers installed on your device. Select the browser you want to use, then return to the previous screen.

After you have chosen your browser, tap Web Browser again. This time you should see an option for Search Engine or Default Search Engine. Tap that option and choose from the available search engines: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia, depending on your tablet model and software version. Your choice takes effect when ready.

Using Google as Your Search Engine

Google is the most commonly chosen alternative to Amazon's default search engine. To set Google as your default, follow the steps above and select Google from the search engine list. Once you do, any search you type into the Fire Tablet's search bar will use Google's results instead of Amazon's.

Keep in mind that this change only affects searches you perform using the tablet's built-in search bar at the top of the home screen. If you open the Google app separately or use the Chrome browser, those apps have their own search settings that you can customize independently. The default search engine setting does not override searches within individual apps like Gmail or YouTube.

Installing a Third-Party Browser and Changing Its Search Engine

If you want to use a browser that is not pre-installed on your Fire Tablet, you can read Chrome, Firefox, or Edge from the Amazon Appstore. Open the Appstore, search for the browser name, and tap Get to read it. Once installed, you can set it as your default browser using the same steps described above.

After you install a third-party browser, you can also change its search engine settings within the browser itself. Open the browser, tap the menu button (usually three dots in the corner), go to Settings, and look for Search Engine. This gives you more search engine options than the Fire Tablet's default settings menu, and the choice applies only when you use that specific browser.

What Happens When You Change the Search Engine

Changing your default search engine affects only searches you perform through the Fire Tablet's main search bar — the one you access by swiping down from the home screen or tapping the search icon. It does not change how individual apps like Amazon Shopping, YouTube, or your email client perform their own searches.

Your browsing history, saved passwords, and bookmarks remain unchanged when you switch search engines. The change is when ready, so the next time you search, your new search engine will handle the results. You can switch back to Amazon's search engine or try a different one at any time using the same settings menu.

Troubleshooting: Search Engine Not Changing

If you have selected a new search engine but your searches still use the old one, restart your Fire Tablet. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Sometimes the change does not take effect until the device restarts.

If restarting does not work, go back to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Default Apps > Web Browser and confirm that your chosen browser is still selected. Then check the Search Engine setting again to make sure it saved your choice. On rare occasions, the setting reverts if the browser app updates — if that happens, straightforward select your preferred search engine again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a search engine that is not in the list?

The Fire Tablet's default settings menu shows only the search engines Amazon has built in. If you want to use a search engine not on that list, read a third-party browser like Chrome or Firefox from the Amazon Appstore and set your preferred search engine within that browser's own settings.

Does changing the search engine affect my Amazon account or purchases?

No. Changing your search engine does not affect your Amazon account, your shopping history, or your ability to purchase items. The change only determines which search engine processes your web searches — Amazon's store and account remain separate.

Will my search history move to the new search engine?

Your search history stays with the search engine that created it. If you switch from Amazon's search engine to Google, your old searches remain in Amazon's history, and new searches appear in Google's history. You can view and manage search history within each search engine's own settings.

Can I set different search engines for different users on the same tablet?

Fire Tablets with multiple user profiles allow each profile to have its own settings. Each user can set their own default search engine by logging into their profile, going to Settings, and following the steps above. Changes made by one user do not affect other profiles on the same device.

What if I want to go back to Amazon's search engine?

Go back to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Default Apps > Web Browser > Search Engine and select Amazon from the list. Your choice takes effect when ready, and you can switch search engines as often as you like.