Change Default Browser on Mac

As the web browser that comes bundled with macOS and iOS devices, Safari is the first choice for many Mac and iPhone owners. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option, though, and you might prefer to use a third-party browser instead. Google Chrome and Firefox are two particularly popular choices, but there are many alternatives, including Opera, Brave, and Vivaldi.

However, if your preferred browser isn’t set as the default, your Mac will assume Safari is your favored app. That means if you click a link in an email or some other kind of file, your Mac will automatically open the web page in Safari. So what’s the solution? You need to change the default browser on your Mac, and we’re about to show you how. Follow our tips, and you’ll soon have the browsing experience you want.

Before we start:

 

It’s important to protect your privacy when you’re surfing the web. That’s why we created StopAd, not only to block intrusive ads, but also to prevent online trackers from following you and collecting information about you.

 

This is how to set it up:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Run it and select StopAd.
3. Click Enable and follow the on-screen steps to install the Safari extension.
4. Click Install, then install the Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

StopAd will run in the background, protecting you and your data from trackers. Check it out today to see what else it can do.

What is a default browser?

Your default browser is the web browser that your computer automatically chooses when you open an HTML file or click a link in an external app, such as a word processor or your email client.

Reasons to change the default browser on Mac

There are many reasons to change your default browser. You might simply prefer the features in a particular browser. Sometimes sites also load better in a different browser. And while Safari might be the best browser for Mac, it doesn’t run on Android or Windows devices, so you can’t sync with them.

How you can prepare to change your default browser on Mac

Before you select a new default web browser, there are a few steps you should take first to make sure you’re ready:

1. Download and install the web browser you want. You can download installers from the browser’s official website or the Mac App Store.
2. If your preferred browser is already installed on your Mac or MacBook, check its settings to ensure that they’re up-to-date.
3. Check which browser is your current default. For this, open an HTML file or a link in a text document and see which browser opens.

A tip from our experts: The first time you run them, many browsers will prompt you to set them as your default. Agree to this, and you won’t need to do anything else. If you change your mind later, follow our tips below to pick a different default browser.

How to set the default browser on Mac

Setting your default browser on macOS is simple. Whether you have an iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or something else, it only takes a few steps in your macOS System Settings to change your preferred browser. The process differs slightly for older versions of macOS, but it’s still quick and easy.  

A note from our team:

 

If you find Safari is slow on Mac, you might get better results from something like Microsoft Edge or Opera. Give a few different browsers a try and see what works best for you.

1. Change the default browser in macOS Monterey and earlier versions

With older Macs, you’ll need to go into your System Preferences to choose your default browser. If your Mac is running Monterey or earlier, these are the steps you need to follow:

1. If you haven’t already, install your preferred browser on your Mac.
2. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click the Apple icon and choose System Preferences.
3. Select General.
4. In the Default web browser menu, select the browser you want to use.

2. Set the default browser in macOS Ventura and later versions

Since Ventura, macOS has had System Settings rather than System Preferences. Follow these steps to choose your default web browser:

1. Make sure your browser of choice is already installed on your Mac.
2. Click the Apple icon in your menu bar and choose System Settings.
3. Select Desktop & Dock from the side menu.
4. Scroll down and use the dropdown menu to set your default browser.

A bonus tip from us: 

 

Issues with your browser could be caused by an accumulation of junk files. Clearing the cache on your Mac could help. One of the easiest ways to do that is with MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool.

 

This is how you use it:

1. In MacKeeper, select Safe Cleanup from the sidebar.  Click Start Scan.
2. Let the scan finish, then select what to remove. Click Clean Junk Files.

Browse the way you want

Safari isn’t just the default browser for Macs; it’s also a very good one, made by skilled software developers. If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem, it’s a great choice, which lets you synchronize your online activity across macOS and iOS devices.

However, according to our personal inspection, Safari isn’t so great if you own non-Apple systems, such as Windows or Linux PCs, or Android phones and tablets. None of them can run Safari, which means you can’t sync anything, such as your shortcuts and browsing history. This is just one of many reasons you might want to change the default web browser on your Mac.

As we’ve shown, it’s easy to identify what your default browser is and to change it. But whatever app you choose, you should make sure it’s secure, and MacKeeper’s StopAd can help. It can block all kinds of malicious content, helping you avoid unwanted ads, browser hijackers, trackers, and more.

Give it a try today: