Change Your Default Search Engine in Any Web Browser or Device

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Just a few easy clicks to change the default search engine on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS, and Android
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Most web browsers allow you to search the web by entering your search terms into the address bar. But did you know you can change which search engine your web browser uses? This wikiHow article teaches you how to change your default search engine on any web browser or device.

Quick Steps

  1. Open your web browser and select the icon with three lines or dots.
  2. Open the Settings menu.
  3. Open the "Search Engine" or "Search" menu.
  4. Select Default web browser or your current default search engine.
  5. Select a new search engine.
Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

Google Chrome on Your Computer

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  1. It's the icon with three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the Google Chrome window. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu. [1]
  2. It's toward the bottom of the drop-down menu that appears when you click the icon with three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
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  3. It's in the menu bar to the left. This opens the search engine settings menu.
  4. It's in the box next to your current list of search engines.
  5. Click one of the search engines listed below the drop-down box to set it as your new search engine. From now on, any searches performed in the address bar at the top of the Chrome window will use this search engine.
  6. If you don't see your preferred search engine in the drop-down menu, you can add it. To do so, start by clicking Manage search engine and site search . It's the second option in the search engine settings menu, then click Add and enter the requested information:
    • Search Engine: Enter the name of your preferred search engine on the line labeled "Search Engine" (i.e., "Google," "Bing," "DuckDuckGo ").
    • Shortcut: Enter the shortcut you would enter in the address bar of your web browser to go to the website of your preferred search engine (i.e., "google.com," "bing.com," "duckduckgo.com").
    • URL with %s in place of Query: To get this information, go to the website of your preferred search engine and perform a random search. Copy the URL that appears in the address bar and replace the search terms in the URL with "%s" (i.e., " https://www.bing.com/search?q=%s ").
    • When you're finished, click Add . To make it the default search engine, click ⋮ beside it and select Make Default . [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

Google Chrome on Mobile

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  1. It's the icon with three dots in the top-right corner of the screen on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. On Android, you'll see this option near the bottom of the drop-down menu. On iPhone and iPad, you'll see it in the carousel of services at the top of the menu. [3]
    • If you don't see the Settings menu in the drop-down menu, you may need to scroll down a bit or scroll right in the carousel on iPhone or iPad.
  3. It's under the "Basics" heading near the top of the screen. [4]
  4. Tap one of the search engines listed on this page. A blue checkmark or filled-in radio option will appear to the right of your currently active search engine.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

Safari on a Mac

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  1. It's in the menu bar at the top-left side of the screen. Clicking it displays a drop-down menu. [5]
  2. You'll see this option near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
    • If you are using an older macOS version, this will read as "Preferences" instead.
  3. It's in the top-middle section of the Settings window.
  4. It's near the top of the Search page.
  5. Click the search engine you want to use with Safari to select it as your default. You can choose Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

Safari on iPhone and iPad

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  1. It's the app with two silver gears. [6]
  2. It's about a third of the way down the Settings page.
  3. It's the top option on this page below the "Search" header.
  4. Tap the search engine service you want to use. A blue checkmark will appear to the right of your currently selected option. You can choose Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

Microsoft Edge on Your Computer

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  1. It's in the upper-right corner of the browser window. [7]
  2. This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
  3. It's in the menu panel that appears on the left when you click the icon with three horizontal lines.
  4. It's at the bottom of the Privacy, search, and services menu.
  5. It's the option that is third from the bottom.
  6. Click the search engine you want to use in the drop-down menu. You can choose Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, or Yahoo.
  7. If you don't see your preferred search engine in the drop-down menu, you can add it. To do so, click Manage search engines at the bottom of the menu and follow these steps:
    • Click Manage search engines .
    • Click Add .
    • Enter the name of your preferred search engine (i.e., "Google," "Bing," "Yahoo") on the line labeled "Search engine."
    • Enter the shortcut you would enter in the address bar to go to the website for your preferred website (i.e., "google.com," "bing.com," "duckduckgo.com0") on the line labeled "Keyword."
    • URL with %s in place of query: To get this information, perform a random search using your preferred search engine. Copy the URL that appears in the address bar and replace the search terms with "%s" (i.e., " https://www.google.com/search?q=%s .")
    • Click Add . You can now use the drop-down menu to select your preferred search engine.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

Microsoft Edge on Mobile

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  1. On Android devices, it's the icon with three horizontal lines in the lower-right corner. On iPhone and iPad, it's the icon with three dots in the upper-right corner.
  2. It's below an icon that resembles a gear. It's the last option in the pop-up menu that appears when you tap the icon with three dots. [8]
  3. It's the third option in the Settings menu. It is also next to an icon that resembles a gear.
  4. It's near the top of the General Settings menu. This displays a list of search engines you can choose from.
  5. You can choose Bing, Yahoo, Google, or DuckDuckGo. This displays a checkmark or a filled-in radio option next to your choice. Microsoft Edge will use this search engine when you enter search terms in the address bar.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

Firefox on Your Computer

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  1. It's the icon with three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of the Firefox window. This displays a drop-down menu. [9]
  2. This button is near the middle of the drop-down menu.
  3. It's in the menu panel to the left. This displays the search settings menu.
  4. This is the box below the "Default Search Engine" heading at the top of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
  5. Click a search engine in the drop-down menu to apply it to Firefox. From this point on, Firefox will use your selected search engine when you type information into the address bar.
    • If you don't see a search engine you like, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Find more search engines at the bottom. This opens the extensions store. You can find an extension for your preferred search, or you can go to the website for your preferred search engine, right-click the address bar and click Add to Firefox .
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Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

Firefox on Mobile

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  1. On iPhone and iPad, it's the icon with three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner. On Android, it's the icon with three vertical dots in the lower-right corner. This opens the menu.
  2. It's at the bottom of the menu. [10]
  3. This option is near the top of the page.
  4. It's at the top of the search menu.
  5. Tap a search engine that you would like to use to set it as your new default. A blue checkmark will appear next to your selected search engine, signifying that Firefox will use it when you search in the address bar from now on.
    • If you don't see your preferred search engine listed, tap Add search engine below the list of search engines. Then tap Other (Android only). Enter the name of your preferred search engine (i.e., "DuckDuckGo," "Yahoo") and enter the search query URL with the search terms replaced by "%s". You can find the search query by performing a random search with your web browser. Copy the URL that appears in the address bar and replace the search terms with "%s" (i.e., " https://www.google.com/search?q=%s .")
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    It won't let me edit it (Google Chrome). It says it's Enforced by the Administrator, but I am the Administrator.
    Community Answer
    Open regedit (Win+R -> type regedit) and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome. Delete that key and restart Google Chrome. The issue should be fixed.
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      Tips

      • The phrases "search engines" and "web browsers" often get confused for each other, but they aren't similar: a web browser is a program used to access the Internet, while a search engine is a web service used within the web browser to search for online items.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95426?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95426?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95426?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95426?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/search-sfria1042d31/mac
      6. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/in-ios-17-apple-adds-ability-to-change-search-engine-in-safari-private-browsing/
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/change-your-default-search-engine-in-microsoft-edge-cccaf51c-a4df-a43e-8036-d4d2c527a791
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-edge/microsoft-edge-for-mobile-faqs-29296eab-b76f-4a87-ac9c-9835da53465d
      9. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox
      1. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-default-search-firefox-focus-ios

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