Where to find and change your search engine on Mac
Your default search engine on Mac 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 — but each one takes less than a minute to change. You do not need to restart your computer or install anything new.
The most common browsers on Mac are Safari (which comes built in) and Chrome (which you read separately). Both let you pick from the same set of search engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and a few others. You can also add a custom search engine if you want to use something less common.
Key Takeaways
- Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all store search engine settings in their preferences or settings menu, not in macOS itself.
- Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo are the standard options available in most browsers without downloading anything extra.
- Changing your default search engine takes one to two minutes and does not affect other browser settings or your files.
- If you use multiple browsers, you will need to change the default search engine in each one separately.
How to change your 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 versions of macOS). Click the Search tab.
Under "Search engine," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current choice. Click it and select the search engine you want: Google, Bing, Yahoo, or DuckDuckGo. The change takes effect when ready. Close the Settings window when you are done.
If you want to change the search engine that appears when you open a new tab, that setting is in the same Search tab under "Search suggestions." You can turn suggestions on or off here as well.
How to change your search engine in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the 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 with radio buttons next to each one. Click the radio button next to the search engine you want to use as your default. Chrome will remember this choice the next time you search from the address bar.
If the search engine you want is not in the list, scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add. You can paste in a custom search URL if you use a less common search tool. Most people will find what they need in the standard list.
How to change your search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. Click Search in the left sidebar.
Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown showing your current choice. Click it and pick from Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or other options. The change is when ready. You can also manage search shortcuts for individual websites in the same section if you want to search a specific site from the address bar.
How to change your search engine in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the 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 showing your current default. Select the search engine you want. Edge will use this engine for all searches from the address bar going forward.
What happens when you change your search engine
When you change your default search engine, only searches from your browser's address bar are affected. Searches you perform on websites like Google.com or Bing.com will still use those sites directly, regardless of your default setting.
Your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and other browser data remain unchanged. You can switch back to a different search engine at any time by following the same steps. There is no cost to changing, and no software to remove or install.
If you use multiple browsers on your Mac, each one has its own default search engine setting. Changing it in Safari does not change it in Chrome, for example. You will need to update each browser separately if you want them all to use the same search engine.
Why you might want to change your search engine
Some people switch to DuckDuckGo because it does not track your searches or store your search history. Others prefer Bing because they use Microsoft services like Outlook or OneDrive. Yahoo appeals to people who want a search engine with a news and entertainment feed built in.
You might also change your search engine if you are having trouble with your current one — for instance, if search results are not relevant, or if the page is loading slowly. Switching to a different engine is a quick way to test whether the problem is with the search service itself or with your browser or internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my search engine affect my passwords or bookmarks?
No. Your search engine setting is separate from all other browser data. Passwords, bookmarks, history, and saved information stay exactly where they are. You can change your search engine back and forth as many times as you want without losing anything.
Can I use a different search engine for private browsing?
Most browsers use the same default search engine for both regular and private browsing. Some browsers like Firefox let you set a separate search engine for private windows, but this is not a standard feature across all browsers. Check your browser's privacy settings to see if this option is available.
What if my search engine is not in the dropdown list?
Chrome and Firefox both allow you to add custom search engines. In Chrome, go to Settings > Search engine and scroll to "Other search engines." In Firefox, you can add search shortcuts for specific websites. Safari and Edge have more limited options for custom search engines.
Do I need to change my search engine in each browser separately?
Yes. Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge each store their own default search engine setting. If you want all your browsers to use the same search engine, you will need to change the setting in each one individually.
Will changing my search engine speed up my Mac?
Changing your search engine will not make your Mac faster overall. However, if your current search engine is slow to load or returns poor results, switching to a faster one might make searching feel quicker. The speed difference, if any, comes from the search service itself, not from your computer.