How to change the search engine in Safari on an iPhone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Device

iPhone

Shown on

iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Apps › Safari › Search Engine

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Safari sends what you type into the address bar to Google unless you choose otherwise. The setting is not in Safari itself but in the Settings app, and it takes four taps. The list of search engines shown here is the one an iPhone set to the United States offers; in other regions it can differ.

The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.

Step by step

1. 

   Open Settings and tap Apps

   Apps is near the bottom of the main Settings list. On iOS 17 and earlier, Safari is in the main list itself.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Safari

   The apps are in alphabetical order, so Safari is under S. The letters at the right edge jump there.

   Done

3. 

   Tap Search Engine

   It is the first row of the Search section and shows the current choice at the right.

   Done

4. 

   Tap the search engine you want

   The tick moves to your choice. There is nothing to save: go back or close Settings.

   Done

5. 

   Choose separately for Private Browsing if you like

   Back on the Safari page, Also Use in Private Browsing is on at first. Switch it off to choose a different search engine for private tabs.

   Done

Good to know

The same page has Search Engine Suggestions and Safari Suggestions. They decide whether suggestions appear while you type.

To change the browser itself, not only the search engine: how to change the default browser and other default apps on an iPhone.

For searches that leave no history on the phone: how to use Private Browsing in Safari on an iPhone.

In short: Settings, Apps, Safari, Search Engine, tap your choice.