How to Change the Default Browser on a Mac: Chrome, Safari, Firefox and More!
You don’t have to use Safari on a Mac. Here’s how to set your preferred browser.
Wondering how to change the default browser on a Mac? Just like you can change the default browser on iOS, macOS also lets you set a default browser. In this article, we will tell you the best and fastest way to change the default browser on your Mac.
It should be noted that these instructions are for Macs running macOS Monterey, although the instructions are similar, if not identical, for older Mac operating systems. And keep in mind that since these instructions are operating system based, it doesn’t matter if you have a iMac, MacBookWhere mac studio – the instructions are the same.
What is the Mac’s default browser? Safari.
Unsurprisingly, the default browser on Mac is Safari. I say no surprise because Apple makes the Safari web browser.
So is Safari for Mac worth it? I think so. Indeed, Safari is generally the most secure and private browser on Mac. Apple has an insane level of privacy protection built into Safari, like blocking third-party cookies by default, and the ability to hide your IP address from trackers as well as the ability to prevent cross-site tracking.
But Safari is also a great browser, as it has a wide variety of popular extensions (though not as many as Chrome, and it’s also highly integrated with the entire Apple ecosystem. If you use Safari, your bookmarks , your history and website passwords will be synced across all devices logged into your iCloud account.
Safari also works very well with Apple Pay on the web and offers a fairly high degree of customization.
What other browsers are popular on Mac?
Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of third-party browsers for Mac. The most popular non-Apple browser is Chrome. Then there’s Microsoft’s Edge and other browsers like Firefox and Brave.
If you’re a heavy Google user, you’ll probably want to use Chrome. But if you like privacy but don’t like Safari, Firefox is probably your best bet. A good middleman is Brave, which is based on the Chromium engine, which powers the Chrome browser.
Ultimately, the best browser is the one that works best with your workflow.
What does a default browser do?
A default browser is simply the browser that opens automatically when you click on a link, for example, in an email or text message.
How to Change the Default Browser on a Mac
If you want to change your default browser on Mac, there are several ways to do it. Most browsers have some sort of “Set as Default” button in their preferences. The clock on this button will allow you to set this browser as the default browser on macOS.
However, it’s not the easiest way to set your default browser on your Mac. The easiest way to set your default browser on your Mac is the method built into the Mac operating system.
There is a single setting that lets you choose from a list of all browsers installed on your Mac. Because you have the list right there in the setting, you can see everything in one place and choose the best browser for you. Here is how to access the parameter:
- Open the System Preferences app on your Mac.
- Tap the General preferences pane.
- You will see a setting called “Default Web Browser”. Next to it is a drop-down menu. The browser listed next to the setting is your current default browser. But click the drop-down menu to see a list of ALL browsers installed on your Mac. Select the one you want to use as your default browser and click on it.
And that’s all! You haven’t selected a new default browser on your Mac!
Also, check out How to Customize Your Mac’s User Interface in 4 EASY Ways!
Michael Grothaus
Apple expert and novelist, Michael Grothaus has been covering technology on KnowYourMobile for almost 10 years. Before that, he worked at Apple. And before that, he was a film journalist. Michael is a published author; his book Epiphany Jones was voted one of the best Hollywood novels by Weekly entertainment. Michael is also a writer for other publications, including VICE and Fast Company.