Your default browser is the web browser that automatically opens whenever you click on a link or launch a web application. When you first set up your Mac, Safari will be set as the default browser, however it is easy to change.
If you prefer using a different web browser, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, then you should set it as your default browser. With the correct browser set as your default, all links and apps will open automatically in your browser of choice, and not just Safari by default.
Read on to follow our step-by-step guide on changing your default browser on Mac and make your browsing experience much easier.
What you’ll need:
- An iMac or MacBook
The short version:
- Enter the Apple menu and select System Settings
- Select Desktop & Dock in the left-hand side panel
- Find Default web browser
- Select the menu and choose which browser you’d like to set as your default
Step
1Enter the Apple menu and select System Settings
The Apple menu can be found at the top-left corner of your screen, regardless of what app is open.
Step
2Select Desktop & Dock in the left-hand side panel
You may need to scroll down to find this. Alternatively, you can specifically search for Desktop & Dock in the search bar on the side panel.
Step
3Find Default web browser
You may need to scroll down to find this. Here, you’ll see which browser is currently set as your default. If your desired browser is already set, then there’s no need to do anything else.
Step
4Select the menu and choose which browser you’d like to set as your default
All downloaded and available browsers will appear in this menu.
Troubleshooting
In order for Chrome to show up, you’ll need to have downloaded it to your Mac first. You can download it from this webpage.
Yes of course, there’s no issue with switching between web browsers, or even using two different options (such as Safari and Chrome) simultaneously. But you can only have one default browser, which will trigger your chosen browser to open up when clicking on a link.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
