Change Safari's default search engine in three steps

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. In the dropdown menu next to "Search engine," choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia. That's it — your next search will use the engine you picked.

The change takes effect when ready. You don't need to restart Safari or your Mac. If you change your mind later, you can return to Settings and pick a different engine the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's search engine setting is in Settings > Search, accessible from the Safari menu bar.
  • You can choose from five built-in options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.
  • The change applies to the address bar search and the search box on the new tab page.
  • You can change your search engine back at any time without affecting your bookmarks or browsing history.

Where the search engine setting lives

The search engine choice is stored in Safari's Settings, not in System Preferences. Click Safari in the menu bar — the word "Safari" itself, not the Safari icon in your dock. A dropdown menu appears. Near the top, you'll see Settings (on macOS Monterey and newer) or Preferences (on Big Sur and earlier). Click it.

A window opens with several tabs across the top. Click Search. The first option in that tab is "Search engine," with a dropdown menu showing your current choice. Click the dropdown to see all available engines.

The five search engines Safari offers

Google is the default. It's the most widely used search engine and integrates with your Google account if you're signed in.

Yahoo is available as an alternative. It powers its own search results and has been a standard option in browsers for years.

Bing is Microsoft's search engine. It's built into Windows and available here as well. Some people prefer it for image search.

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that doesn't track your searches or build a profile of your browsing. It's a common choice for people who want less data collection.

Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees with its ad revenue. Each search contributes to reforestation projects. It uses Bing's search results but adds its own mission.

What changes when you pick a new search engine

Your choice affects two places in Safari: the address bar at the top of the window and the search box on a blank new tab. When you type in either place, Safari sends your search to whichever engine you selected.

The change does not affect your bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords, or any other Safari data. It only changes where your searches go. If you have multiple user accounts on your Mac, each account's Safari has its own search engine setting — changing it in one account doesn't change it in another.

Switching back to a different engine

You can change your search engine as often as you want. Open Safari > Settings > Search and pick a new engine from the dropdown. The change takes effect when ready. There's no waiting period, no confirmation, and no side effects.

If you're trying out a new search engine and want to switch back, the process is identical. Some people change their search engine seasonally or based on what they're searching for — for example, using DuckDuckGo for privacy-sensitive searches and Google for everything else. Safari doesn't limit how many times you can make the change.

Troubleshooting: search engine won't change

If you've selected a new search engine but your searches still go to the old one, quit Safari completely and reopen it. Click the red circle in the top-left corner of the Safari window or press Command-Q. Wait a few seconds, then open Safari again from your Applications folder or Dock.

If the dropdown menu in Settings shows only one or two options instead of five, your Mac's system language or region settings may be limiting what's available. This is rare, but if it happens, check System Settings > General > Language & Region to confirm your location is set correctly, then return to Safari Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my search engine affect Google Chrome or other browsers?

No. Each browser stores its own search engine setting. Changing Safari's search engine doesn't touch Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser on your Mac. You'd need to change each one separately if you want them all to use the same engine.

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

Not directly through Safari's settings. Safari only offers the five built-in engines. If you want to use a different search engine, you can set it as your homepage and visit it manually, or use a browser extension — though extensions can slow Safari down and may not work with all websites.

Will changing my search engine affect my iCloud sync?

Your search engine choice syncs across your Apple devices if you have iCloud sync turned on. If you change it on your Mac, it will change on your iPhone and iPad too. You can turn off this sync in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Safari if you want different devices to use different engines.

What if I want different search engines for different tabs?

Safari doesn't support per-tab search engine settings. All searches in Safari use the engine you've selected in Settings. If you need different engines for different tasks, you'd need to use multiple browsers or manually visit each search engine's website.

Is DuckDuckGo really more private than Google?

DuckDuckGo doesn't store your search history or build a profile tied to your identity. Google does store your searches if you're signed in. However, privacy also depends on your Mac's settings and what websites you visit — changing your search engine is one part of online privacy, not the whole picture.