Set a Different Browser as Your Default on Mac

To change your default web browser on Mac, open System Settings, go to the General tab, scroll down to Default web browser, click the dropdown menu, and select the browser you want to use instead. The change takes effect when ready — any links you click in emails, documents, or other apps will now open in your chosen browser.

This setting only works if the browser you want is already installed on your Mac. If you haven't downloaded it yet, you'll need to do that first through the App Store or the browser's official website. Once installed, it will appear in the dropdown list and you can select it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser is set in System Settings under General, in a dropdown labeled Default web browser.
  • The browser you choose must already be installed on your Mac before you can select it as the default.
  • Changing your default browser does not uninstall your old one — both browsers remain on your computer and can be used manually at any time.
  • If you use multiple user accounts on your Mac, each account has its own separate default browser setting.
  • You can switch your default browser back and forth as often as you want without losing bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Default Browser

Start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings (on newer Macs running Monterey or later) or System Preferences (on older versions). The window that opens shows your Mac's core settings and options.

In System Settings, click General in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see the Default web browser option. Click the dropdown menu next to it — it currently shows your active browser, usually Safari on a new Mac. A list of all installed browsers appears. Select the one you want to use, and the change is complete. Close System Settings when you're done.

To confirm the change worked, open an email or document with a link in it and click the link. It should now open in your new default browser instead of the old one. You can test this with any link in Mail, Messages, or a document.

What Happens to Your Old Browser

Changing your default browser does not remove the old one from your Mac. Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or whichever browser you were using before stays installed and ready to use. You can still open it manually from your Applications folder or Dock whenever you want.

The only thing that changes is which browser opens automatically when you click a link outside of a browser window. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history in each browser remain separate and untouched. If you switch back to your old browser later, all your data will still be there exactly as you left it.

If Your Preferred Browser Isn't Showing in the List

If the browser you want to use doesn't appear in the dropdown menu, it isn't installed on your Mac yet. You'll need to read and install it first. The most common browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera — are available free from the App Store or directly from each company's website.

Go to the App Store, search for the browser by name, and click Get to read it. Once installation finishes, return to System Settings and follow the steps above. The newly installed browser should now appear in the Default web browser dropdown. If it doesn't show up when ready, try restarting System Settings or restarting your Mac.

Changing Your Default Browser for Each User Account

If your Mac has multiple user accounts, each person can set their own default browser independently. When you log in as a different user and open System Settings, the default browser setting reflects only that account's choice. This means one person can use Chrome as their default while another uses Firefox, and both settings work without interfering with each other.

To change the default for a different account, log out of your current account, log in as the other user, and repeat the steps in System Settings. Each account's default browser is stored separately, so changes made by one user don't affect anyone else on the Mac.

Resetting to Safari If You Change Your Mind

If you want to go back to Safari as your default browser, the process is identical. Open System Settings, click General, find Default web browser, and select Safari from the dropdown. Safari is built into every Mac, so it will always be available as an option no matter what other browsers you have installed.

You don't lose anything by switching back and forth between browsers. Your browsing data, passwords, and history in each browser stay where they are, regardless of which one is set as default. You can change your default browser as many times as you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history stay in each browser where they were created. Changing which browser opens links automatically has no effect on any of your data. Each browser keeps its own separate storage.

Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?

No. Mac allows only one default browser for all links. However, you can always right-click a link and choose "Open with" to pick a different browser for that single link without changing your system default.

What if I accidentally set the wrong browser as default?

straightforward go back to System Settings, click General, and select the correct browser from the Default web browser dropdown. There's no penalty or waiting period — the change happens when ready.

Does changing my default browser affect my email or messaging apps?

Yes. Any links in Mail, Messages, or other apps will now open in your new default browser. If you want links in a specific app to open in a different browser, you'll need to right-click the link and choose "Open with" each time.