With macOS, the default browser that comes bundled with the operating system is none other than Apple’s Safari. Safari is an excellent browser, especially if you use multiple Mac computers and/or iOS devices, because it will be able to sync your data such as browsing history across them.
That being said, we get it, there are certain features in other browsers that you might prefer, and if you’d rather use those as your default browser, this guide will take you through the necessary steps to get it done.
What Is A Default Browser?
In case you’re wondering about the importance or need of setting your default browser, it means that whenever you click on a link, the browser that automatically opens will be the default one that you (or the operating system) has yet. For example, If you love using Chrome but Safari is still set as the default, it means that links clicked in emails or chats will be opened in Safari instead of Chrome.
How To Set Default Browser On Mac
- Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences
- Select General
- Locate “Default web browser” and click on it
- Select from the dropdown list your browser of choice
Note that the list only features browsers that you have already installed on your computer. If you don’t see any other browser, it is because you have yet to install them. We have attached a list of various browsers below that you might want to check out as alternatives to Safari.
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Opera
- Microsoft Edge (currently in preview)
Alternative Default Browser Changing Methods
Given that all browsers want to be your default browser, sometimes when you install a new browser on your Mac and you launch it for the first time, you might be prompted to set that browser as your default. This will be a faster way compared to the method above. If you’d like to change it back, then you can just follow the steps we outlined above to revert back to Safari or any other browser that you prefer.
Filed in . Read more about Chrome, Firefox, macOS, Opera and Safari.