You are viewing the macOS 26 version of this guide, recorded on macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro) on 4 October 2026. It is kept as it was and not updated. See the macOS 27 version.
howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-change-the-default-browser-on-a-mac/ · Checked 4 October 2026 · MacBook Pro · macOS Tahoe 26
In this guide
Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, scroll down to Default web browser and choose Chrome, Firefox or another installed browser from the menu.
4 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro)
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Desktop & Dock › Default web browser
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 5 steps
- Checked
- 4 October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Step by step
Install the browser first
Download it from the official website, open the downloaded file and drag the browser into the Applications folder. Open it once.
Tap the picture to see it full size Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and choose System Settings.
Tap the picture to see it full size Click Desktop & Dock
It is in the list on the left.
Tap the picture to see it full size Scroll to Default web browser
Scroll down the page. It sits just above the Windows section.
Tap the picture to see it full size Choose the browser from the menu
The change applies immediately. Links in Mail, Messages and other apps now open there.
What we saw on our device
- Install the browser first: On our MacBook Neo, Google Chrome was already in the Applications folder.
- Open System Settings: On our MacBook Neo it opened on the Battery page, which is fine.
- Scroll to Default web browser: On our MacBook Neo the Default web browser row sits in the Widgets section, just above Windows, and read Safari.
- Open the menu on that row: On our MacBook Neo it listed only Safari and Google Chrome.
- Check the row: On our MacBook Neo it read Google Chrome straight away, with no extra prompt.
About this guide
A Mac opens links in Safari until you choose another browser. The setting is in a place few people expect, under Desktop & Dock.
Good to know
Most browsers also ask "Make default?" when you first open them. Clicking yes does the same thing.
To change the default email app, open Mail, choose Mail, Settings, General, and pick another app under Default email reader.
Make one file type open in a different app as well: How to change which app opens a file type on a Mac.
The same on an iPhone: How to change the default browser and other default apps on an iPhone.
In short: System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Default web browser, choose the browser.
Links checked in October 2026. Menus and features can change after software updates. These steps match the version named at the top.
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