Where to change your search engine in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox

Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question into the address bar without specifying a website. On Mac, you change it differently depending on which browser you use — Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge each have their own settings menu.

The process takes under a minute in any browser. You do not need to restart your computer or uninstall anything. Once you change it, every new search from your address bar will use the engine you picked.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari stores search engine settings in Preferences under the Search tab, where you can pick from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia.
  • Chrome and Edge let you change the default search engine in Settings under Search Engine, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Firefox calls it "Default Search Engine" in Preferences and also offers multiple built-in options plus the ability to add custom search engines.
  • Some browser extensions or malware can override your choice, so if your search engine keeps changing on its own, check your extensions first.
  • Your choice only affects the address bar — clicking a search box on a website still uses that website's search, not your default engine.

Changing the search engine in Safari

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

Under "Search engine," you will see a dropdown menu. Click it and choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia. Safari applies the change when ready — you do not need to close and reopen the browser. The next time you type in the address bar, it will use your new engine.

Changing the search engine in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Search engine.

Under "Search engine used in the address bar," you will see a dropdown showing your current choice. Click it to see all available options — Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and others. Select the one you want. Chrome saves the change when ready and uses it the next time you search from the address bar.

Changing the search engine in Firefox

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

Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown with your current choice. Click it to pick from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, Amazon, and others. Firefox also lets you add a custom search engine if you want to use one that is not listed — scroll down to "One-Click Search Engines" to see how. Your new default takes effect right away.

Changing the search engine in Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left sidebar.

Scroll down to "Search engine" and click the dropdown under "Search engine used in the address bar." Choose from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or others. Edge applies the change when ready.

Why your search engine keeps changing on its own

If you set a new default search engine but it keeps switching back, a browser extension or piece of software installed on your Mac may be overriding your choice. Check your extensions first.

In Safari, click Safari > Settings > Extensions and look for anything unfamiliar. In Chrome, click the three dots > Settings > Extensions. In Firefox, click the menu > Add-ons and extensions. Remove any extension you do not recognize or did not intentionally install. If the problem persists after removing extensions, restart your browser and check your search engine setting again — sometimes a restart clears the issue.

If you still cannot keep your search engine changed, your Mac may have unwanted software installed. Consider running a malware scanner or consulting a technician who can check your system.

The difference between your default search engine and website search boxes

Changing your default search engine only affects searches you type into the address bar. When you click a search box on a website — like the search field on Amazon or Wikipedia — that website uses its own search, not your default engine.

Similarly, if you click a search result and then use the search box on that results page, you are using that page's search tool, not your default. Your default engine only runs when you type directly into the address bar at the top of the browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a search engine that is not in the dropdown list?

Firefox and Chrome both let you add custom search engines. In Firefox, go to Settings > Search, scroll to "One-Click Search Engines," and click the plus sign next to any search engine you find. In Chrome, you can add a custom search engine by going to Settings > Search engine and clicking "Manage search engines and site search." However, Safari and Edge do not offer this option — you are limited to their built-in choices.

Does changing my search engine on one browser change it on the others?

No. Each browser has its own settings. If you use Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on the same Mac, you need to change the search engine in each one separately. Your choice in Safari does not affect Chrome or Firefox.

Will changing my search engine affect my browsing history or saved passwords?

No. Changing your search engine only changes where your searches go — it does not touch your history, passwords, bookmarks, or any other data. All your saved information stays exactly where it is.

What is the difference between these search engines?

Google is the largest and most widely used. Bing is Microsoft's engine. DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or store your data. Yahoo uses Bing's results but adds its own features. Ecosia plants a tree for every search you make. Try a few and pick the one that gives you the results you like best.

If I change my search engine, will websites know which one I use?

No. Websites cannot see which search engine you have set as your default. They only know that you arrived from a search result if you clicked a link from a search results page.