Where to find and change your Mac search engine

Your Mac's default search engine lives in your web browser settings, not in the operating system itself. The steps depend on which browser you use — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge each store this setting in a different place. Once you know where to look, changing it takes less than a minute.

The search engine you choose affects what happens when you type a question into the address bar or use the search box on a new tab. Your Mac does not have a single system-wide search engine setting that applies everywhere; each browser maintains its own list of options and remembers which one you picked as the default.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge each store their default search engine setting in the browser's own preferences, not in macOS itself.
  • Safari users access search engine settings under Safari > Settings > Search, while Chrome users go to Chrome > Settings > Search Engine.
  • You can add custom search engines to most browsers, though the process varies by browser and is not necessary for common options like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo.
  • Changing your search engine in one browser does not affect the others — you must change each browser separately if you use multiple browsers.
  • If your search engine keeps resetting to one you did not choose, a browser extension or malware may be overriding your setting.

Changing the search engine in Safari

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

Under "Search Engine," you will see a dropdown menu with options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia. Click the dropdown and select the one you want. Safari will use that search engine the next time you search from the address bar or the search box on a new tab page.

Safari does not allow you to add a completely custom search engine the way some other browsers do. If none of the built-in options match what you want, you may need to use a different browser or search manually by visiting the search engine's website directly.

Changing the search engine in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu (three vertical dots) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Search engine in the left sidebar.

You will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected. The one with a filled radio button next to it is your current default. Click the radio button next to the search engine you want to use instead. Chrome switches when ready — no restart needed.

If you want to add a search engine that is not on the list, scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add. You will need the search engine's name, a short keyword (like "g" for Google or "d" for DuckDuckGo), and the search URL. Most major search engines publish this information on their settings pages.

Changing the search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings. Click Search in the left sidebar.

Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown showing your current choice. Click it and select from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, Amazon, or eBay. Firefox also shows a row of search engine shortcuts below the address bar — you can click any of those to search with that engine for a single search without changing your default.

To add a custom search engine, scroll down to "One-Click Search Engines" and look for the option to add more. You can also right-click the search box on any website and select "Add a Keyword for this Search" to create a shortcut for that site's search function.

Changing the search engine in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the menu button (three dots) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.

Scroll down to "Search engine" and click the dropdown under "Address bar search engine." Select from Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia. Edge will use your choice the next time you search from the address bar.

You can also manage search engines by scrolling further down to "Search engine used in the address bar" and clicking Manage search engines. This shows you all available options and lets you set different defaults for the address bar versus the search box on a new tab page.

What to do if your search engine keeps changing back

If you set a new default search engine but it keeps reverting to a different one, a browser extension or unwanted software may be overriding your choice. Check your browser's extension or add-on list for anything you do not recognize or did not intentionally install.

In Safari, click Safari > Settings > Extensions and look for suspicious or unfamiliar items. In Chrome, go to Settings > Extensions. In Firefox, click the menu and select Add-ons and themes > Extensions. Remove anything that looks out of place.

If removing extensions does not solve the problem, your Mac may have picked up unwanted software. Run a full scan with your antivirus program or take your Mac to an Apple Store or trusted repair shop to have it checked. Do not read "cleaning" or "optimization" software from the internet — these often cause more problems than they solve.

Understanding search engine differences

Google is the most widely used search engine and returns results based on your search history and location. Bing is Microsoft's search engine and powers search in Edge by default. DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or location and is a good choice if privacy is your priority.

Yahoo uses Bing's search results but adds its own news and content. Ecosia plants a tree for every search you perform. None of these choices is objectively "better" — the right one depends on what matters to you: speed, privacy, tracking, or supporting a cause.

Switching search engines does not affect your browsing history, saved passwords, or any other browser data. You can change back at any time, and your browser will remember all your other settings exactly as they were.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine on my Mac for Spotlight search?

No. Spotlight (the search tool you open with Command-Space) searches your Mac's files and does not use a web search engine. It has its own settings under System Settings > Siri & Spotlight, but you cannot change it to use Google, Bing, or another search engine. Spotlight only searches your computer.

Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No. Your bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and all other browser data stay exactly the same. Changing your search engine only changes where your searches go when you type in the address bar or search box.

Why does my search engine choice not carry over to my iPhone or iPad?

Each device stores its own browser settings separately. If you use Safari on both Mac and iPhone, you can turn on iCloud sync in Settings to keep some preferences in sync, but search engine choice is not always included. Check your iCloud settings on each device to see what is being synced.

Can I set different search engines for different browsers?

Yes. Each browser — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge — has its own independent search engine setting. You can use Google in Chrome and DuckDuckGo in Firefox at the same time. Changing one browser's setting does not affect the others.

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

Safari and Edge offer only a fixed list of search engines. If your choice is not there, you can use Firefox or Chrome instead, both of which let you add custom search engines. Alternatively, you can bookmark your search engine's website and search manually by visiting it directly.