Change Your Default Browser in Settings

To change your default browser on a Chromebook, open Settings, select Apps from the left menu, then click Default apps. Find the Browser row and click the current browser name to see what other browsers you have installed. Select the one you want to use instead, and it becomes your default when ready — no restart needed.

This setting controls which browser opens when you click a link from Gmail, Google Drive, or any other app on your Chromebook. It does not affect which browser appears on your home screen or in the app drawer; those stay where they are. The change takes effect right away for new links you open.

If you do not see a browser in the dropdown menu, it means you have not installed it yet. You can add browsers through the Google Play Store or the Chrome Web Store, depending on the browser type. Once installed, it will appear in the default browser list.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps, and click the Browser row to change which browser opens links.
  • The default browser setting only affects links opened from other apps, not which browser icon appears on your home screen.
  • You must install a browser before you can set it as default; new browsers appear in the dropdown after installation.
  • The change takes effect when ready without restarting your Chromebook.
  • Common Chromebook browsers include Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera, all available through the Play Store.

What Browsers Are Available on Chromebook

Chromebooks run Android apps through the Google Play Store, so you can install most major browsers. Google Chrome comes pre-installed and is the native browser. Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Brave are all available in the Play Store and work on most Chromebook models.

Some older Chromebooks or those with limited storage may not support all browsers, or the Play Store may not be enabled on your device. If you open the Play Store and a browser does not appear in search results, your Chromebook model may not support it. Check your Chromebook's specifications or try searching for the browser name directly in the Play Store to confirm.

Each browser has different features — Firefox offers strong privacy controls, Edge integrates with Microsoft accounts, and Brave blocks ads by default. Install whichever one matches what you need, then set it as default through the Settings menu.

Installing a New Browser from the Play Store

Open the Play Store app on your Chromebook. Search for the browser you want — type the name in the search box at the top. When you find it, click the browser result, then click the Install button. The read and installation happen automatically; you do not need to do anything else.

Once installation finishes, the Install button changes to Open. You can click it to launch the browser right away, or wait and set it as default later through Settings. The browser now appears in your app drawer and in the default browser dropdown menu.

If you see an error message during installation, your Chromebook may not have enough storage space or the Play Store may not be enabled. Check your storage by opening Files and looking at the space remaining. If storage is low, delete files or apps you no longer need, then try installing again.

Setting a Browser as Default When Multiple Are Installed

If you have installed more than one browser, the default browser dropdown shows all of them. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps, click the Browser row, and a list appears with each installed browser. Click the one you want to use as your default. The selection saves when ready.

You can change your default browser as many times as you want — there is no limit. If you decide you prefer a different browser next week, go back to the same menu and pick a new one. This is useful if you want to test a browser for a few days before deciding whether to keep it as default.

The default browser setting is separate from which browser appears in your taskbar or home screen. You can have Chrome pinned to your taskbar but set Firefox as your default browser for links. Both can exist on your Chromebook at the same time.

What Happens When You Click a Link

When you click a link in Gmail, Google Drive, a document, or any other app, your Chromebook checks which browser is set as default and opens the link there automatically. If you have not set a default, your Chromebook may ask you to choose a browser each time, or it may use Chrome by default.

This setting does not affect links you click inside a browser — if you are already using Firefox and click a link on a webpage, it opens in Firefox regardless of what your default is set to. The default browser setting only applies to links opened from outside a browser.

If you want to open a link in a different browser than your default, right-click the link and select Open link in new window, then choose which browser to use from the menu that appears. This overrides your default for that single link.

Removing a Browser You No Longer Want

If you have installed a browser and no longer want it, open the Play Store, search for the browser name, click the result, and click the Uninstall button. The browser is removed from your Chromebook, and it no longer appears in the default browser list.

If the browser you uninstall was set as your default, your Chromebook automatically switches to Chrome as the default. You can then set a different browser as default if you want. Uninstalling does not affect any other apps or settings on your Chromebook.

You cannot uninstall Chrome itself — it is built into Chromebooks and cannot be removed. You can only uninstall browsers you have installed from the Play Store.

Troubleshooting: Browser Not Appearing in Default List

If you installed a browser but it does not show up in the default browser dropdown, the installation may not have completed. Open the Play Store, search for the browser again, and check whether it shows Install or Uninstall. If it shows Install, the browser was not actually installed — try installing it again.

If it shows Uninstall, the browser is installed but may not be showing in the default list due to a temporary glitch. Restart your Chromebook by clicking the power button in the bottom right corner, selecting Power off, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on. After restart, check the default browser list again.

Some browsers may not be compatible with your specific Chromebook model or Android version. If a browser fails to install or does not appear after restart, check the Play Store listing to see whether other users report compatibility issues. You may need to choose a different browser instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple browsers installed at the same time?

Yes. You can install as many browsers as your storage allows. Only one can be set as default, but you can switch between them whenever you want. All installed browsers appear in your app drawer and can be opened manually at any time.

What if I change my default browser and then change my mind?

Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps, click the Browser row, and select your original browser. The change takes effect when ready. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want with no penalty or limit.

Does changing the default browser affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?

No. Each browser keeps its own bookmarks and passwords separate. Switching your default browser does not move or delete data from any browser. If you switch from Chrome to Firefox, your Chrome bookmarks stay in Chrome and your Firefox bookmarks stay in Firefox.

Will changing my default browser slow down my Chromebook?

No. Changing which browser is default does not affect your Chromebook's speed. Having multiple browsers installed uses some storage space, but switching between them or setting a new default does not cause slowdowns.

Can I set a different default browser for different types of links?

No. Chromebook allows only one default browser for all links. You can right-click a link and choose to open it in a specific browser, but you cannot create rules like "open Gmail links in Firefox and Google Drive links in Edge." You can only set one default for all links.