Where to change your search engine on Mac

Your default search engine on Mac lives in your browser settings, not in the operating system itself. The steps depend on which browser you use — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge all store this setting in different places. Once you know where to look, the change takes less than a minute.

The most common browsers on Mac are Safari (built into macOS) and Chrome. Safari's search engine setting is in System Settings under the Safari section. Chrome keeps it in Chrome Settings under Search Engine. If you use Firefox or Edge, both have their own preferences panels. Whichever browser you choose becomes your default, and that browser's search engine is what appears when you search from the address bar.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's default search engine is set in System Settings > Safari > Search Engine, and you can choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Yahoo.
  • Chrome stores its search engine setting in Chrome menu > Settings > Search Engine, and the list includes Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and others.
  • Firefox and Edge both have their search engine settings in their own preferences panels, separate from macOS system settings.
  • Changing your search engine in one browser does not affect the others — each browser maintains its own default.
  • You can also change which browser is your default for all web links by going to System Settings > General > Default Web Browser.

Changing the search engine in Safari

Open System Settings (the gear icon in the Dock or in Applications > System Settings). Click Safari in the sidebar. Scroll down until you see the Search Engine dropdown menu. Click it and select from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Yahoo. Your choice takes effect when ready — the next time you search from Safari's address bar, it will use the engine you selected.

If you do not see Safari in the System Settings sidebar, scroll down in the sidebar list until you find it. Some Mac users have it pinned near the top; others have to scroll. Once you change the setting, Safari remembers it even after you restart your Mac.

Changing the search engine in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Search Engine. You will see a dropdown that says "Google" or whichever engine is currently set. Click the dropdown and choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or other options. The change applies when ready.

Chrome also lets you manage search engines you have added yourself. If you use a less common search engine, you can add it manually by scrolling down to "Other search engines" and clicking Add. This is useful if you want to use a specialized search tool that does not appear in the main list.

Changing the search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Search. At the top, you will see "Default Search Engine" with a dropdown menu. Click it and choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, or other options. Firefox saves your choice automatically.

Firefox also shows you a list of search engines you can use for individual searches without changing your default. These appear in the search bar dropdown when you click in it. You can add more search engines from websites that support them — Firefox will prompt you when you visit a site that offers this option.

Changing the search engine in Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Privacy, Search, and Services. Scroll down to Search Engine and click the dropdown next to "Address bar search engine." Choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or other options. Edge applies the change right away.

Edge is set to Bing by default because Microsoft owns both products. If you prefer a different search engine, changing it in Settings overrides the default for all your searches from the address bar.

Setting a default browser for all web links

If you want a specific browser to open whenever you click a web link in email, messages, or documents, you can set it as your default browser in macOS itself. Open System Settings and click General in the sidebar. Scroll down to Default Web Browser. Click the dropdown and select Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or whichever browser you prefer. From that point on, any web link you click will open in that browser.

This is separate from choosing a search engine. Setting Chrome as your default browser does not change Safari's search engine setting, and vice versa. Each browser keeps its own search engine preference independent of whether it is your system default.

Why your search engine might not change

If you change your search engine but searches still use the old one, check that you are changing the setting in the right browser. A common mistake is changing Safari's search engine but then searching from Chrome — Chrome will use its own default instead. Open the browser you are actually using and check its search engine setting.

Another reason is browser extensions or add-ons that override your search engine choice. If you have installed a search-related extension, it may be forcing a different engine. Check your browser's extension or add-on list and disable anything you do not recognize. After you remove it, restart the browser and try searching again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine for different searches in the same browser?

Yes. In Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, you can click the search engine icon in the search bar to see a list of alternative engines and pick one for that single search. Your default does not change — only that one search uses the engine you selected.

What search engines are available on Mac?

The main options across all browsers are Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo. Some browsers also offer Ecosia (which plants trees) or other regional engines. The exact list depends on your browser and your location.

If I change my search engine on Mac, does it change on my iPhone too?

No. Mac and iPhone have separate settings. If you use Safari on both devices and want the same search engine on each, you need to change the setting in iPhone Settings > Safari > Search Engine separately. Chrome and Firefox sync some settings across devices if you sign in, but search engine choice varies by browser.

Will changing my search engine affect my browsing history or saved passwords?

No. Changing your search engine only changes where your searches go. Your browsing history, saved passwords, bookmarks, and all other browser data stay exactly as they are.

What if my preferred search engine does not appear in the dropdown?

In Chrome and Firefox, you can add custom search engines manually. In Safari, you are limited to the four built-in options (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo). If Safari does not offer your preferred engine, you can use Chrome or Firefox instead, which both support adding custom engines.