Where to Find the Search Engine Setting in Safari

Your default search engine on Mac lives in Safari's preferences, not in a system-wide settings panel. Open Safari, then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences if you're on an older macOS version). Click the Search tab.

You'll see a dropdown menu labeled Search engine. This is where you choose which search engine handles your searches when you type in the address bar. The current default is already highlighted. Click the dropdown to see all available options.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's search engine setting is in Safari > Settings > Search tab, in a dropdown labeled "Search engine".
  • Apple offers Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo as built-in options; you cannot add a custom search engine to Safari on Mac.
  • Changing the default search engine in Safari does not affect Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers you may use.
  • If you use a different browser like Chrome or Firefox, you'll need to change the search engine setting within that browser separately.

The Four Built-In Search Engine Options

Safari on Mac comes with four search engines ready to use: Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. Google is the default when you first set up your Mac. Each option works the same way—type your search term in the address bar, and Safari sends it to whichever engine you've chosen.

Google is the fastest for most people because it returns results quickly and handles typos well. Bing integrates with Microsoft services if you use Outlook or OneDrive. Yahoo is similar to Bing but has a different interface. DuckDuckGo is the privacy-focused choice—it doesn't track your searches or build a profile of your browsing habits.

You cannot add a custom search engine or one not on this list to Safari on Mac. If you need a search engine that isn't offered, you'll need to use a different browser like Chrome or Firefox, which allow custom search engines.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Default Search Engine

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Search tab. Click the dropdown next to Search engine. Select the engine you want. Close the Settings window—the change takes effect when ready.

The next time you search from the address bar, Safari will use your new default engine. If you change your mind later, you can return to this same menu and pick a different one. There's no limit to how many times you can switch.

Searching from the Address Bar vs. the Search Box

When you click in Safari's address bar (the long field at the top where you type web addresses), you can type a search term instead of a URL. Safari automatically sends that search to your default engine. This is the most common way people search on Mac.

Some older versions of Safari also had a separate search box to the right of the address bar. If your Mac has both, they both use the same default search engine—changing one changes the other. Newer versions of Safari combined these into a single address bar, so you only see one search field.

If You Use Chrome, Firefox, or Another Browser

Changing Safari's default search engine does not affect Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser on your Mac. Each browser stores its own search engine setting separately. If you want to change the default search engine in Chrome, you'll need to open Chrome's settings, not Safari's.

In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Settings, click Search engine on the left, and choose from the dropdown. Firefox works similarly: click the menu button (three horizontal lines), select Settings, click Search on the left, and pick your engine. Each browser remembers its own choice even if you switch between them.

What Happens When You Search from Spotlight or Siri

Spotlight (the search tool you open with Command+Space) and Siri can also perform web searches. Both use your Safari default search engine by default. If you change Safari's search engine, Spotlight and Siri will use the new one the next time you search.

You can also turn off web search in Spotlight if you prefer. Open System Settings, click Siri & Spotlight, and uncheck Search the web. This prevents Spotlight from sending your search terms to any search engine, though it also means you won't see web results in Spotlight anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a search engine that's not on Safari's list?

No. Safari on Mac only offers Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. If you need a different search engine, you'll need to use Chrome, Firefox, or another browser that supports custom search engines.

Will changing my search engine in Safari affect my iPhone or iPad?

No. Safari on each device has its own search engine setting. You'll need to change the setting on your iPhone or iPad separately. Open Settings, scroll to Safari, tap Search Engine, and pick a new one.

Does changing the default search engine affect my browsing history or saved passwords?

No. Your search engine choice is completely separate from your history, passwords, and other saved data. Changing it won't delete or modify anything else in Safari.

What if I accidentally changed my search engine and want to go back to Google?

Open Safari > Settings > Search tab, click the dropdown next to Search engine, and select Google. The change takes effect when ready. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.

Does Safari remember which search engine I used for each tab?

No. Safari uses the same default search engine across all tabs and windows. Every search you perform goes to whichever engine you've set as the default, regardless of which tab you're in.