Change your search engine in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox

Your Mac comes with Safari as the default browser, and Safari uses Apple's search engine by default. You can change which search engine appears when you search from the address bar — the process takes less than a minute and works the same way in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. The search engine you pick will handle every search you type into that bar, so choosing one you trust matters.

The steps differ slightly between browsers, but all three let you pick from the same set of engines: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Ecosia. Some browsers also let you add a custom search engine if you want to use something else.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari stores search engine settings in Preferences under the Search tab, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Chrome and Firefox both let you change the default search engine in their settings, and you can also change it by right-clicking the address bar.
  • All three browsers let you pick from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Ecosia without installing anything extra.
  • If you use multiple browsers, you will need to change the search engine separately in each one — changing it in Safari does not affect Chrome or Firefox.

Change the search engine in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions of macOS). Click the Search tab.

Under "Search engine," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current choice. Click it and select Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia. The change takes effect when ready — the next time you search from the address bar, it will use the engine you picked.

If you want to use a search engine that is not in the list, Safari does not offer a way to add a custom one. You would need to switch to Chrome or Firefox for that option.

Change the search engine in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Search engine in the left sidebar.

Under "Search engine used in the address bar," you will see a dropdown showing your current choice. Click it and select Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia. Chrome will use that engine the next time you search from the address bar.

If you want to add a search engine that is not in the list, scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add. Type the search engine name, the keyboard shortcut you want to use for it, and the search URL (you can find this on the search engine's website). Chrome will then let you pick it as your default.

Change the search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Search in the left sidebar.

Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown showing your current choice. Click it and select Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia. Firefox will use that engine the next time you search from the address bar.

To add a custom search engine, scroll down to "One-Click Search Engines" and look for the engine you want to add. Click the plus sign next to it. If the engine you want is not listed, you can right-click the search box on any website and select "Add a Keyword for this Search" to create your own.

Change the search engine using the address bar

In Chrome and Firefox, you can also change the search engine without opening settings. Click the address bar and start typing a search. A dropdown will appear showing which search engine is active. In Chrome, click the search engine name to see other options. In Firefox, right-click the address bar and select "Manage Search Engines" to change the default.

This method is faster if you only want to switch engines once or twice. If you find yourself changing it every time you search, it is worth setting a new default in settings instead.

What happens when you change your search engine

Changing your default search engine only affects searches you type into the address bar. It does not change search results you get from links on websites, and it does not affect other browsers on your Mac — if you use both Safari and Chrome, you will need to change the setting in each one separately.

Your search history and bookmarks stay the same. The new search engine will not see your old searches unless you were already signed into an account with that engine. If you switch back to your old search engine later, your history with that engine will still be there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine for each browser?

Yes. Each browser has its own search engine setting, so you can use Google in Safari, DuckDuckGo in Chrome, and Bing in Firefox if you want. Changing the setting in one browser does not affect the others.

Will changing my search engine affect my passwords or bookmarks?

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history stay exactly the same. Only the search engine that handles queries from the address bar changes.

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

Chrome and Firefox both let you add custom search engines through their settings. Safari does not offer this option, so if you need a search engine Safari does not list, you would need to use Chrome or Firefox instead.

Can I change the search engine on my iPhone or iPad?

Yes, but the process is different. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down to Safari (or Chrome, or Firefox), and look for the search engine option. The steps vary by app, so check that app's settings menu.

Does changing my search engine make my browsing more private?

Some search engines, like DuckDuckGo and Ecosia, collect less data than Google or Bing. Switching to one of those engines may reduce tracking, but your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity. For more privacy, consider using a VPN or your browser's private browsing mode alongside a privacy-focused search engine.