Change your search engine in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox

The search engine you use on Mac depends on which browser you have open. Safari, Chrome, and Firefox each store this setting separately, so you can pick a different default for each one. The steps take less than a minute and you can change it back anytime.

Most people use Safari on Mac because it comes built in, but Chrome and Firefox are free downloads if you want to switch browsers entirely. Whichever you use, the setting lives in that browser's preferences or settings menu, not in your Mac's system settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari, Chrome, and Firefox each have their own default search engine setting, found in their individual preferences or settings menus.
  • In Safari, open Preferences, click Search, and pick a search engine from the dropdown menu labeled "Search engine".
  • In Chrome, go to Settings, click Search engine, and select your choice from the list under "Search engines used".
  • In Firefox, open Preferences, click Search, and choose a search engine from the dropdown under "Default Search Engine".
  • Your choice affects only the search bar in that browser; it does not change how your Mac works overall.

How to change the search engine in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Preferences from the dropdown. A window will open with several tabs across the top; click the Search tab.

You will see a dropdown menu labeled Search engine. Click it and choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. The change takes effect when ready. Close the Preferences window and your new search engine will be active the next time you use the search bar in Safari.

How to change the search engine in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Search engine.

Under the heading Search engines used, you will see a list of search engines. Click the one you want to use as your default. Chrome will mark it with a checkmark. The change is automatic and takes effect right away when you search from the address bar.

How to change the search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Preferences. On the left side of the window, click Search.

At the top of the Search page, you will see Default Search Engine with a dropdown menu. Click the dropdown and select Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another option from the list. Firefox saves your choice when ready, and your new search engine will be used the next time you search from the address bar.

What happens when you change your search engine

Changing your default search engine only affects the search bar in that specific browser. If you use Safari and switch to Google, your Chrome browser will still use whatever search engine you set there. Your Mac's system settings and other apps are not affected.

If you search from the address bar (also called the omnibox in Chrome), your default search engine will be used. If you go directly to a search engine's website — like google.com or duckduckgo.com — that website's search will work regardless of your default setting.

Why you might want to change your search engine

Google is the default in most browsers, but some people prefer other options. DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or store your browsing history. Yahoo and Bing are alternatives if you want different search results. Some people use different search engines in different browsers depending on what they are looking for.

You can also add custom search engines in Chrome and Firefox by visiting a search engine's website, right-clicking the search bar, and selecting the option to add it as a search engine. This lets you use smaller or specialized search engines alongside the major ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine in the address bar than in the search bar?

In Safari and Firefox, the address bar and search bar use the same default search engine. In Chrome, you can set different defaults for each, though most people use the same one for both. Check your browser's settings to see if this option is available.

Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and all other browser data stay exactly the same. Changing the search engine only changes which search service handles queries from your search bar.

What if I want to use a search engine that is not in the list?

In Chrome and Firefox, you can add custom search engines. Visit the search engine's website, right-click its search bar, and look for an option like "Add as search engine". Once added, you can set it as your default in Settings or Preferences.

Does changing my search engine on Mac affect my iPhone or iPad?

No. Your Mac, iPhone, and iPad each have separate browser settings. Changing Safari on your Mac does not change Safari on your iPhone. You would need to change the setting on each device separately if you want them all to use the same search engine.

Can I change my search engine back to Google?

Yes. Open your browser's Preferences or Settings, go to the Search section, and select Google from the dropdown menu. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.