A default web browser is available for each computer and mobile device. Microsoft Edge is on Windows 10, while Safari is on Apple devices. On Android, Google Chrome, Samsung’s internet, or anything else can be the default, such as a stock Android browser in older models.

You must not stick to this default, however. If you change it, your browser opens any link or Web-based file that you click on. Here’s how to change the operating system and platform for each type.

Explore the Contents

1 Set by Browser
2 Windows 10
3 Windows 8.1
4 Windows 7
5 macOS
6 iOS and iPadOS
7 Android

Set by Browser

Go to your desired browser and set it by default before navigating to your device settings. For example, in Google Chrome, you can go to Settings > Default browser > Make default, by clicking the icon in the upper right corner. Click on the icon in the top-right of Firefox and select Options. Click Make default in the General section.

Windows 10

In Windows 10 Microsoft replaced Edge with Internet Explorer, which was updated in 2020 with Chromium. Microsoft obviously recommends that but you could modify it, you stick with the browser. Open the Windows 10 Settings menu and navigate to Apps > Default Apps. Download and click the web browser, and you can choose to download Edge, Firefox, Chrome, IE, or another Microsoft Store program.

Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1, you are first stuck as the default browser with Internet Explorer. Open the charms bar and click the Settings icon to switch it off. At the Settings pane, click Change PC Settings > Search and apps > Defaults. From here it looks like Windows 10; click the current web browser default and switch to your preferred browser.

Windows 7

In January 2020, Microsoft stopped offering Windows 7 security updates so it should consider upgrading to a more modern and safe OS. Otherwise, the default browser is Internet Explorer, but the change process is different to Windows 10 and 8.1. Open Control Panel in icon view and select Default Programs > Set your default programs. You can then choose the browser you want set as the default.

Please note that the status currently indicates a certain number of defaults for a new default browser X. Click Set the default program to state that the browser has all its defaults.

macOS

It is simple and fast to change the default Mac browser. On your Mac, click on the icon at the left top of the screen and open System Preferences. Click on the download box next to the default web browser in the General screen and change your choice to the program you like.

iOS and iPadOS

In the past, Apple has prevented you from changing your iPhone or iPad’s default browser, but that has been modified using iOS 14 and iPadOS. Go to Settings, and choose the browser you like, whether it’s Chrome, Firefox or Edge, for switching the default to any other browser. Tap the Default Browser App entry and select your browser.

Android

Google Chrome can only be defined as a default Android web browser by setting your phone. Depending on the manufacturer, those configurations differ, but in general, you can swipe the gear icon down from the top of the screen to type the Settings menu.

Search for an Apps or Apps and Notifications option. Open the installed apps list and tap your favorite browser entry. Download and tap on the “Browser App” entry and select the new default for the application selected.

Tap the three-point icon in the bottom right corner of the app, choose Settings and switch on next to Make Firefox the default browser to set Firefox as its default browser. Tap the browser application entry and change the Firefox default.

Tap the 3-point icon for Edge and select Settings. Set the default browser setting and tap Set the default browser from the pop-up window. You can select a Browser application in order to set a new default to a default phone app settings.

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