How to Change Default Browser on Mac

Switching to a new default browser on Mac: A step-by-step guide.

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By Abhishek Chandel
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How to Change the Default Browser on Mac

How to Change the Default Browser on Mac

Are you a Mac user who’s grown tired of using Safari as your go-to browser? Maybe you’re looking to switch things up and try out Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser. Well, you’re in luck!

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps of How to Change the Default Browser on Mac. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to open links in the browser of your choice and have a more personalized browsing experience

Why might you want to change your default browser?

You prefer how some browsers work over others. Different browsers have different advantages, so you may prefer the features and tools in one browser compared to another. For instance, if you constantly use Google services, you might prefer Chrome since it integrates smoothly with other Google apps.

Sometimes certain websites or file types don't display right on every browser. Some sites may really only work properly on Chrome, while others work best on Firefox.

You want higher privacy and security. Some browsers have stronger safety and privacy defenses than others. For example, Firefox has a built-in feature that blocks advertisers from tracking what sites you visit, which helps conceal your internet activity.

You're curious to try a new web browser option. There are tons of good browser choices, so you might want to download a different one just to see how it stacks up and whether you like it any better.

How to Change the Default Browser on Mac

Step 1: Install the Browser You Want to Use

Before changing your default browser, you'll need to install the one you want. If it's not already installed, go to the browser's website and download/install Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Best web browser for Mac: Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox and more | Macworld

Step 2: Open System Settings

Click the  Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings." This opens a window with different settings panes.

Step 3: Choose Your Default Browser

In Settings, click on "Desktop & Dock" & scroll down where you'll see a "Default web browser". In the dropdown menu, Select the browser you want to use automatically whenever you click a link - that will become your default. The menu lists all currently installed browsers on your computer.

Troubleshooting

If you're struggling to change your default browser, here are a few things you could try:

  • Restart your Mac completely. This refreshes everything and sometimes fixes weird issues.

  • Reset your Mac's Settings. Resetting can refresh your system settings and help programs recognize changes.

  • As a last resort, you can uninstall then reinstall the browser you want to make default. A clean install ensures the browser is set up correctly from the start, which could resolve the default browser problem.

Conclusion

You're good to go! Just do what it says and changing your default Mac browser is a piece of cake. Whether you prefer Chrome, Firefox, or whatever, now it'll pop up whenever you click a link. And if anything goes wrong, chill - just check the troubleshooting tips. You'll be back in business in no time. Hope this helps.

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