Change the Default Web Browser on a Mac

If you don't enjoy browsing with Safari in OS X, you can change your default browser from within the Apple menu (OS X 10.10 and up), from within Safari (pre-OS X 10.10), or from within your browser itself.

10 Second Summary

1. Click the Apple menu.
2. Click System Preferences.
3. Click General.
4. Click the "Default Web Browser" field.
5. Click your preferred browser's name.
6. Exit the System Preferences menu.

Steps

Changing Your Default Browser (Post-OS X 10.10)

  1. Make sure you have more than one web browser installed. If OS X doesn't recognize any browsers other than Safari on your computer, you'll need to download a supported browser before continuing. Popular browsers include:
  2. Click the Apple menu to open it. The Apple menu is in the top left corner screen; its icon resembles an apple.
  3. Click "System Preferences". This will take you to the System Preferences menu.
  4. Click the "General" option. You'll be able to change your web browser from here.[1]
  5. Click the "Default Web Browser" field. This should be in the middle of the screen.[2]
  6. Choose a browser from the drop-down menu. As long as the browser is installed on your computer and is up to date, it should show up as an option here.
  7. Close the Apple menu. Your default browser preferences have been saved!
    • Any links or app extensions should now open in your new default browser.

Changing Your Default Browser (Pre-OS X 10.10)

  1. Make sure you have more than one web browser installed. If OS X doesn't recognize any browsers other than Safari on your computer, you'll need to download a supported browser before continuing. Popular browsers include:
  2. Open the "Safari" app. This should be on your Mac's dock; its icon resembles a blue compass.
  3. Click the "Safari" option. This is in the top left corner of your screen when Safari is open; doing so will open the Safari menu.
  4. Click the "Preferences" option. This will open your Safari settings.
  5. Click on the "General" tab. This is in the top left corner of the Preferences menu.[2]
  6. Click on the field next to "Default web browser". This should be at the top of the General tab. You can select your preferred web browser from here.
  7. Choose a browser from the drop-down menu. As long as the browser is installed on your computer and is up to date, it should show up as an option here.
  8. Close Safari when you're done. Any links or app extensions should now open in your new browser!

Making Your Current Browser the Default

  1. Open your preferred browser. The default OS X browser is Safari, but OS X supports a wide array of browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
    • If this is your first time opening your preferred browser on your computer, the browser will likely to see if it is the default; when it finds that it isn't, it may prompt you to make it the default browser. Confirming that you would like it to be the default will often take care of the process.
  2. Make your preferred browser the default. Depending on which browser you're using, this process will vary:
    • Chrome - Click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of your screen, click "Settings", and click the "Make Google Chrome my default browser" option at the bottom of the screen.[3]
    • Firefox - Click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of your screen, click "Options", select the "General" tab, and click "Make Default".
    • Opera - Click the "Menu" button in the top left corner of your screen, click "Settings", click the "Browser" option, and click "Make Opera my default browser" under the "Default browser" heading.
    • For other browsers, look for the "default browser" setting in the pertinent "Settings" menu.
  3. Close your browser, then re-open it. Any links or app extensions should now open in your new default browser.

Tips

  • Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera are the three best choices for an alternative Mac OS X web browser due to their compatibility and overall quality of operation.

Warnings

  • Some web browsers are incompatible with OS X. Make sure your web browser will work on a Mac before downloading it.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201607
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://osxdaily.com/2007/04/06/change-the-default-web-browser-in-mac-os-x/#changemacbrowserNEW
  3. ↑ http://osxdaily.com/2011/02/23/change-chrome-to-the-default-web-browser/
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