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how to change default browser on mac

To change the default browser on a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS), go to the section with the Default web browser option, and pick your preferred browser from the dropdown list. Once you switch it, links from Mail, Messages, and other apps will open in that browser automatically.

Quick Scoop

  • Safari starts as the default on every fresh macOS install.
  • You can switch to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, or any installed browser in just a few clicks.
  • The exact menu name you use depends on your macOS version (Sonoma/Ventura vs Monterey or earlier).

macOS Ventura & Sonoma

For newer macOS versions (Ventura, Sonoma, and later), the setting moved into System Settings.

  1. Click the Apple menu  in the top-left and choose System Settings.
  1. In the left sidebar, select Desktop & Dock.
  1. Scroll down until you see Default web browser.
  1. Open the dropdown and choose your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, etc.).

Once selected, every link you click in other apps will open in that browser.

macOS Monterey & Earlier

On older macOS versions, the setting is still under System Preferences.

  1. Click the Apple menu  and choose System Preferences.
  1. Click General (the first icon).
  1. Find the Default web browser dropdown.
  1. Choose the browser you want to make default from the list of installed browsers.

If your browser is not listed, it usually means it is not properly installed, so reinstalling it can help.

Set it from inside the browser

Many modern browsers can also make themselves default from their own settings.

  • Chrome on Mac
    • Open Chrome.
    • Go to Chrome > Settings in the menu bar.
* Look for **Default browser** and click **Make default** , then confirm **Use “Chrome”**.
  • Firefox on Mac
    • Open Firefox.
    • Go to Firefox > Settings/Preferences > General.
* Click **Make Default** and confirm.
  • Brave and others
    • Open the browser, go to Settings , and look for a Default browser or Get started / Set as default section.

If you see a popup asking “Make this your default browser?”, choosing Yes or similar does the same thing.

If it doesn’t change or keeps reverting

Sometimes macOS or another browser can interfere and reset things, especially after updates.

  • Make sure the browser you want is fully installed and updated.
  • Try setting it both:
    • In System Settings / System Preferences , and
    • Inside the browser’s own Settings page.
  • If the dropdown does not show your browser, reinstall that browser, then check again.
  • Some users reported that specific macOS Ventura builds had glitches changing away from Safari; updating macOS often fixes this.

Bottom line: as long as the browser is installed and up to date, you can reliably switch the default in a few seconds through System Settings or directly inside the browser.

TL;DR:
Go to  > System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Default web browser (or  > System Preferences > General > Default web browser on older macOS), then pick your browser from the dropdown.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.