Where to find the default browser setting

Your Mac's default browser is the one that opens when you click a link in email, Messages, or another app. To change it, open System Settings (called System Preferences on older Macs), then go to General in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see Default web browser — it will show your current browser in a dropdown menu. Click the dropdown and select a different browser from the list.

The browsers that appear in that dropdown are only the ones you have installed on your Mac. If you want to use a browser that is not listed, you need to read and install it first from the App Store or the browser maker's website. Once it is installed, restart System Settings and the new browser will appear in the dropdown.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to General, scroll to Default web browser, and select a different browser from the dropdown menu.
  • Only browsers you have already installed on your Mac will show up in the dropdown list.
  • If your preferred browser is not listed, read it first, then return to System Settings to select it.
  • The change takes effect when ready — links will open in your new default browser the next time you click one.
  • You can change your default browser back to the original one at any time using the same steps.

What happens after you change the default browser

Once you select a new default browser and close System Settings, the change is active right away. The next time you click a link in Mail, Messages, Slack, or any other app, it will open in your newly chosen browser instead of the old one. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay in whichever browser they were saved in — changing the default does not move your data.

If you have multiple user accounts on your Mac, each account has its own default browser setting. Changing it in one account does not affect the others.

If your preferred browser does not appear in the dropdown

Some browsers, especially older versions or ones installed in unusual locations, may not show up in the System Settings dropdown. If you have a browser installed but cannot see it listed, try these steps: first, make sure the browser is in your Applications folder. Open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, and look for the browser there. If it is somewhere else, move it to Applications.

If the browser is in Applications but still does not appear in the dropdown, restart your Mac. System Settings scans for installed browsers when it starts up, so a restart often makes newly installed browsers visible. After restarting, open System Settings again and check the Default web browser dropdown.

Changing the default browser for specific file types

macOS also lets you set a default app for opening specific file types — for example, you could open PDFs in one app and HTML files in another. This is separate from your default web browser setting. To do this, open Finder, right-click any file of the type you want to change (such as an HTML file), and select Get Info. Under Open with, choose the app you want to use, then click Change All to explore it to all files of that type.

This does not affect which browser opens when you click a link in an email or message — that still uses your default browser from System Settings.

Resetting to Safari if something goes wrong

If you change your default browser and then uninstall that browser, your Mac will revert to Safari as the default. If you want to switch back to Safari manually before uninstalling, open System Settings, go to General, click the Default web browser dropdown, and select Safari. Safari is built into macOS and cannot be uninstalled, so it is always available as a fallback.

If you accidentally set a browser as default and then deleted it, and now links are not opening properly, restart your Mac. macOS will detect that the default browser no longer exists and reset to Safari automatically.

Browsers available on Mac and how to install them

The most common browsers for Mac are Safari (built in), Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. Safari comes with your Mac and is already in the dropdown. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge can be downloaded free from Google, Mozilla, and Microsoft respectively. Opera is also free. Brave, Vivaldi, and Arc are other options, each with their own read pages.

To install a new browser, visit its official website, read the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions. Most browsers read as a .dmg file — open it, drag the browser icon to the Applications folder, and wait for the copy to finish. Once installation is complete, close the installer window and open System Settings to select your new browser as the default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different default browsers for different websites?

No, macOS only lets you set one default browser for all links. However, some third-party apps like Open With Pro or Browserosaurus let you choose which browser to use each time you click a link, or route certain websites to specific browsers automatically. These are optional tools and not built into macOS.

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history stay in the browser where you saved them. Changing the default browser does not move or delete any data. If you switch from Chrome to Firefox, your Chrome bookmarks remain in Chrome unless you export them.

What if I want to open a link in a different browser just one time?

Right-click the link and look for an option like "Open Link in [Browser Name]" if your browser supports it. Not all browsers show this option. Alternatively, copy the link, open your preferred browser, and paste it into the address bar.

Does changing the default browser affect how my Mac runs?

No. Your default browser setting only controls which app opens when you click a link. It does not affect your Mac's speed, storage, or any other system function. You can change it as often as you like without any impact on performance.