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how to set chrome as default browser

Here’s how to set Chrome as your default browser on the main platforms, plus some “what if it doesn’t work?” tips.

Quick Scoop

If Chrome is installed, you can usually make it the default in under a minute using either system Settings or a built‑in button inside Chrome.

On Windows 10

Fast method (via Start menu)

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Type: default browser.
  1. Click “Choose a default web browser” (or similar result).
  1. In the “Default apps” window, find the “Web browser” section.
  1. Click the current browser (usually Microsoft Edge).
  1. Choose Google Chrome from the list.

Now any link you click in other apps should open in Chrome.

On Windows 11

Windows 11 is pickier, but the essentials are:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps → Default apps.
  1. In the search box, type Chrome.
  2. Click Google Chrome.
  3. Click Set default at the top, so Chrome becomes the default for common web types (like HTTP, HTTPS, HTML).

If some file types or links still open in Edge, scroll through the list and manually switch them to Chrome.

From inside Chrome (desktop)

Chrome also offers its own shortcut:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots (⋮) → Settings.
  3. Go to Default browser.
  4. Click Make default (if you see it).

If that button opens system Settings, just finish the steps there as above.

On Android

  1. Open Settings on your phone.
  2. Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications, name can vary).
  3. Tap Default apps.
  4. Tap Browser app.
  5. Select Chrome.

After this, most links from other apps (like email or chat) should open in Chrome.

On iPhone / iPad (iOS)

  1. Make sure Chrome is installed from the App Store.
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap Chrome.
  3. Tap Default Browser App.
  4. Choose Chrome.

Links in Mail, Messages, and other apps will now open in Chrome instead of Safari.

If Chrome won’t stay default

  • Double‑check Chrome is fully installed and up to date.
  • On Windows 10/11, re‑do the Default apps steps and confirm the browser entry actually shows “Google Chrome” afterward.
  • If some links still open in Edge, manually reassign the remaining file types or link types to Chrome under Default apps → Chrome → Choose defaults.

TL;DR:
Go to your device’s Settings → Default apps (or “Default browser”) and switch the web browser entry to Chrome; or open Chrome’s Settings and use the Make default button, which sends you to the same place.