Change your search engine in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox settings

Your Mac's web browser comes with a default search engine — usually Google — but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another option in a few clicks. The steps differ slightly depending on which browser you use, but all three major browsers store this setting in their preferences menu. You do not need to read anything or restart your computer.

The search engine you choose affects what appears when you type a question into the address bar or use the search box on a new tab. Changing it is reversible: you can switch back to your original choice or try a different one whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari, Chrome, and Firefox each store search engine settings in their own preferences — there is no single Mac-wide setting that controls all browsers.
  • Safari users open Preferences, click Search, and pick from a dropdown menu of built-in options including Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo.
  • Chrome users go to Settings, click Search Engine, and can choose from a list or add a custom search engine by entering its URL.
  • Firefox users open Preferences, select Search, and can change the default or add new search engines from the Firefox Add-ons page.
  • Your choice applies only to the browser you change — switching search engines in Safari does not affect Chrome or Firefox.

How to change the search engine in Safari

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

You will see a dropdown menu labeled Search engine. Click it and choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Safari applies the change when ready — you do not need to restart the browser. The next time you search from the address bar or a new tab, your new search engine will be used.

If you want to remove search suggestions that appear as you type, uncheck the box next to Include search engine suggestions in the same menu. This prevents Safari from sending your partial searches to the search engine company.

How to change the search engine in Chrome

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

You will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected. Click the one you want to use as your default. Chrome also lets you add a custom search engine if you want to use one that is not on the list. To do this, scroll down to Other search engines, click Add, and enter the search engine's name, a shortcut (like "d" for DuckDuckGo), and its search URL. You can find the search URL by visiting the search engine's website and looking at the address bar after you perform a test search.

Chrome saves your choice right away. If you ever want to go back to Google or switch to another engine, you can repeat these steps at any time.

How to 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 on the left side.

Under Default Search Engine, you will see a dropdown menu. Click it and choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, or Amazon. Firefox also shows you which search engines are currently installed. If you want to add a search engine that is not in the list, scroll down to One-Click Search Engines and click the Find more search engines link. This takes you to the Firefox Add-ons page, where you can browse and install additional search engines.

Once you install a new search engine from the Add-ons page, it appears in your dropdown menu and you can set it as your default. Firefox saves all changes automatically.

What happens when you change your search engine

Changing your search engine affects only the browser you changed it in. If you use Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on the same Mac, each browser remembers its own choice. You can have Google as your default in Safari, DuckDuckGo in Chrome, and Bing in Firefox all at the same time.

Your search history and bookmarks stay the same — changing the search engine does not erase anything. Websites you visit do not know which search engine you use unless you tell them. The change takes effect when ready the next time you search.

Why you might choose a different search engine

Google is the most widely used search engine and usually returns the most results. Bing integrates with Microsoft products and offers rewards points for searches. DuckDuckGo does not track your search history or build a profile of your interests, which appeals to people concerned about privacy. Yahoo uses Bing's search results but has its own interface. Wikipedia is useful if you want to search only encyclopedic content.

You can test a search engine by using it for a few days, then switch back if you prefer your original choice. There is no penalty for changing multiple times, and you can always revert to Google or whichever engine came with your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different search engine for private browsing?

Safari, Chrome, and Firefox do not offer separate search engine settings for private or incognito mode. Your private browsing sessions use the same default search engine you set in regular mode. However, your search history in private mode is not saved to your browser.

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

Safari offers only four built-in options. If you want to use a different search engine in Safari, you may need to use Chrome or Firefox instead, both of which allow custom search engines. In Chrome, you can add any search engine by entering its URL. In Firefox, you can install additional search engines from the Add-ons page.

Will changing my search engine affect my other devices?

No. Your Mac's browser settings are separate from your iPhone, iPad, or other devices. If you want the same search engine across all your Apple devices, you need to change the setting on each one individually. Safari on your iPhone has its own Search preferences.

Does changing the search engine cost anything?

No. All major search engines are free to use. Changing between them does not require a subscription, payment, or account. You can switch as often as you want without any cost.