Change your default browser in Settings

Open the Settings app on your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. Once Settings opens, look for Apps in the left menu and click it.

In the Apps section, select Default apps. You will see a row labeled Browser with your current default listed next to it. Click that row to open a dropdown menu showing all browsers installed on your Chromebook.

Select the browser you want to use as your default. The change takes effect when ready — any link you click from an email, document, or other app will now open in your chosen browser instead of the previous one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser is set in Settings under Apps, then Default apps, in the Browser row.
  • You can only set a default browser that is already installed on your Chromebook — you must add new browsers from the Google Play Store first.
  • The change takes effect right away and applies to all links opened from outside the browser itself.
  • If you have only one browser installed, you cannot change the default until you install a second one.
  • School or workplace-managed Chromebooks may have this setting locked by an administrator.

Install a new browser before changing the default

If the browser you want is not showing in the dropdown menu, it is not installed yet. Open the Google Play Store app on your Chromebook and search for the browser name — Firefox, Opera, Brave, or Edge are common alternatives to Chrome.

Click the browser in the search results, then click Install. Wait for the installation to finish — you will see a checkmark when it is done. Once installed, go back to Settings, Apps, Default apps, and the new browser will appear in the Browser dropdown.

Installation usually takes less than a minute on most Chromebooks with a stable internet connection. If the install button does not appear or the read stalls, check that you are signed into your Google account and that your Chromebook has enough storage space available.

What happens when you change the default

When you set a new default browser, links from Gmail, Google Docs, Slack, or any other app will open in that browser instead of Chrome. The change does not affect Chrome itself — you can still open Chrome manually and use it whenever you want.

If you change your mind later, return to the same Settings menu and pick a different browser. There is no limit to how many times you can switch. Each time you select a new default, the previous one stops being the default when ready.

The default browser setting is tied to your Google account on that Chromebook. If another person uses the same device with a different account, they will have their own separate default browser setting.

Why Chrome might stay the default

Some Chromebooks come with Chrome as the only browser installed. If that is your situation, you will not see a dropdown menu in the Browser row — you will see only Chrome listed. To change it, you must first install a different browser from the Google Play Store.

A few older Chromebooks or those managed by a school or workplace may have restrictions that prevent changing the default. If the Browser row is grayed out or does not respond when you click it, your Chromebook is likely managed by an administrator who has locked this setting.

Troubleshooting when the default won't change

If you installed a new browser but it does not appear in the dropdown menu, restart your Chromebook. Sometimes the Settings app does not when ready recognize a newly installed browser until you restart the device.

If the dropdown menu shows your chosen browser but links still open in Chrome, clear your browser cache and restart your Chromebook again. In rare cases, a system update is needed to fully explore the change.

If the Browser row in Default apps is completely missing or grayed out, your device is managed by an administrator. This is common on school and work Chromebooks. Contact your IT department or administrator to request the change or to ask them to make it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Firefox or Edge as my default browser on a Chromebook?

Yes, both are available in the Google Play Store. Install either one, then go to Settings, Apps, Default apps, and select it from the Browser dropdown. Links will open in that browser by default from that point on.

Will changing the default browser delete my Chrome data?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and history in Chrome remain untouched. Changing the default only changes which browser opens when you click a link — it does not affect Chrome or any other browser's stored information.

What if the default browser option is grayed out?

Your Chromebook is likely managed by a school, workplace, or parent account. Contact the administrator to request permission to change the default browser, or ask them to change it for you.

Can I set different defaults for different types of links?

No. Chromebook Settings allows only one default browser for all links. Once you set it, all links from any app will open in that browser.

Does changing the default browser affect my Google account settings on other devices?

No. The default browser setting is specific to each Chromebook. If you sign into your Google account on a different Chromebook or computer, you will need to set the default browser separately on that device.