Where to change your iPhone search engine

Your iPhone's default search engine lives in Settings, not in Safari itself. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Search Engine. You will see a list of options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia. Tap whichever one you want, and it becomes your default when ready. The change takes effect the next time you search from the Safari address bar.

This setting controls what happens when you type a search term (rather than a web address) into Safari's address bar at the top of the screen. It does not change search engines in other apps like Chrome or Firefox if you use those instead — each app has its own search engine setting.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default search engine is set in Settings > Safari > Search Engine, not inside Safari itself.
  • iPhone offers five built-in options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.
  • Changing the setting takes effect when ready and applies only to Safari, not to other browser apps.
  • If you use Chrome, Firefox, or another browser app, each one has its own separate search engine setting in that app's preferences.

What each search engine option does

Google is the default. It returns broad results, learns from your search history if you are signed into a Google account, and shows ads alongside results.

Yahoo powers its own search results and also shows ads. It is less commonly used than Google but works the same way — type a search term and get a results page.

Bing is Microsoft's search engine. It emphasizes image and video results and integrates with Windows devices if you use them. Like Google and Yahoo, it displays ads.

DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or build a profile of your browsing. It shows results without personalizing them based on your history. No ads appear, though it does show sponsored results at the top.

Ecosia is a search engine that donates its profits to tree-planting projects. It does not track you and shows results from Bing's index. Like DuckDuckGo, it shows sponsored results but not personalized ads.

How to use a search engine not on the list

If you want to use a search engine that is not in the Safari settings — such as StartPage, Qwant, or another option — you cannot set it as your default in Safari. Instead, you can bookmark the search page and use it manually, or switch to a third-party browser app that supports your preferred engine.

Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all let you set their own default search engines independently of Safari. read one of these apps from the App Store, open its settings, and choose your search engine there. When you search from that app's address bar, it will use your chosen engine instead.

Why your search engine choice matters

Your search engine affects what data is collected about you. Google, Yahoo, and Bing all track your searches and use that information to show you targeted ads. DuckDuckGo and Ecosia do not build profiles of your searches, so your results are the same whether you search once or a hundred times.

Search engine choice also affects result quality for specific tasks. Google tends to return the broadest results. Bing emphasizes images and videos. DuckDuckGo and Ecosia return results without personalization, which some people find more neutral. Try a few and see which results you prefer for the searches you do most often.

Changing search engines in other iPhone browsers

If you use Chrome instead of Safari, open Chrome, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right, go to Settings, tap Search Engine, and choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Chrome does not offer Ecosia.

Firefox works similarly: tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), choose Settings, tap Search, and pick your engine. Firefox offers Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Amazon, Wikipedia, and eBay.

Edge (Microsoft's browser) follows the same pattern: menu, Settings, Search Engine, then your choice. Each browser app keeps its own search engine setting separate from Safari and from the other apps.

Reverting to Google if you change your mind

If you switch to a different search engine and decide you want Google back, the process is the same. Open Settings, tap Safari, tap Search Engine, and tap Google. There is no waiting period or confirmation — the change happens when ready.

You can also switch between search engines as often as you like. Some people use DuckDuckGo for everyday searches and switch to Google when they need very specific results. Just remember that each change only affects Safari unless you also change the setting in other browser apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my search engine in Safari change it in Chrome or Firefox?

No. Each browser app has its own search engine setting. Changing Safari's search engine does not affect Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other app. You must change the setting separately in each browser you use.

Can I set a search engine that is not on the list?

Not as your default in Safari. If you want to use a search engine like StartPage or Qwant, you can bookmark its search page and visit it manually, or read a third-party browser app that supports it.

Will changing my search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history in Safari stays the same regardless of which search engine you choose. The search engine only determines where your search term goes and what results come back.

Does DuckDuckGo really not track me?

DuckDuckGo does not store your searches or build a profile of your browsing habits. However, your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity. DuckDuckGo only controls what it collects, not what others do.

What happens if I delete Safari and use only Chrome?

Chrome has its own search engine setting in its own Settings menu. Deleting Safari does not affect Chrome's search engine choice. You would set Chrome's search engine the same way you set Safari's — through the app's settings.