How to Set Google as Your Default Search Engine: 11 Easy Ways

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Change your default search on Windows, Mac, iPhone, & Android
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This wikiHow teaches you how to set Google as your browser's search engine. This is possible on both mobile and desktop versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera, as well as Microsoft Edge on desktop and the Samsung Browser on Samsung devices. If you've changed your search engine but you're still being forced to use a different one, you can disable your browsers' extensions or run a virus scan on your computer to check for programs that are altering your settings.

How to Make Google Your Default Search

Whether you're using Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Samsung Browser, or Opera, you can set Google as your default search engine. You'll need to open your browser's settings and then look for a "search" or "search engine" option. Change that to Google to set a new default search engine.

Method 1
Method 1 of 11:

Chrome on Desktop

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    This icon is in the top-right corner of the window. A drop-down menu will appear. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. [2]
    • Alternatively, you can type chrome://settings in the address bar and press ↵ Enter / ⏎ Return to open your Google Chrome settings.
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  3. It's under Appearance and above Default browser .
  4. Your current default search engine will be displayed under the "Search engine" heading.
  5. Click the radio button next to Google and then click the Set as default button to change your search engine. Your Google Chrome settings save automatically.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 11:

Chrome on Mobile

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    The button is in the top-right corner of the screen for Android, and the bottom-right corner of the screen for iPhone. A menu will appear. [3]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    On Android, this option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. On iPhone, scroll all the way to the right on the horizontally-scrolling menu at the top of the menu. [4]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    It's near the top of the page. [5]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    Doing so selects Google as your Chrome search engine. [6]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    This will save your settings and return you to the last tab that you were on.
    • Skip this step on Android.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 11:

Safari on Desktop

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    This menu item is in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear. [7]
  2. It's near the top of the Safari drop-down menu. This will open the Settings window.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    You'll find this at the top of the Settings window. [8]
  4. This is at the top of the Search tab. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    It's in the drop-down menu. This sets Google as Safari's search engine.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 11:

Safari on iPhone

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  1. Tap the grey app with gears on it. You'll usually find this on the Home Screen. [9]
  2. It's about a third of the way down the page. [10]
    • If you're on iOS 18 or later, tap Apps > Safari . The Apps menu is organized alphabetically, so Safari will be under the "S" section.
  3. You'll find this below the "SEARCH" heading. [11]
  4. It's at the top of the page. This will set your Safari search engine as Google. [12]
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Method 5
Method 5 of 11:

Microsoft Edge

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    It's in the upper-right corner of the Edge window. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. And it has an icon of a cogwheel. [13]
  3. It's in the left-hand sidebar, and has an icon of a lock.
  4. It's at the bottom of the list of options, and it has an icon of a magnifying glass.
  5. It's the second to last option on the menu.
  6. The dropdown is located next to the label that says "Search engine used in the address bar." Edge will save this setting automatically.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 11:

Firefox on Desktop

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    You'll find this on the upper-right side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear. [14]
  2. It's near the bottom of the menu.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    It's got an icon of a magnifying glass. [15]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    This is near the top of the window. A drop-down menu will appear. [16]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    Doing so selects Google as your Firefox search engine.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 11:

Firefox on Mobile

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    On iPhone, the button is in the bottom-right corner of the screen. On Android, it's in the top-right. [17]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    It's at the bottom of the menu, and it has an icon of a cogwheel. [18]
    • On iPhone, you may have to swipe left or right across the menu to bring up the Settings option.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    It's near the top of the page. [19]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    You'll see it near the top of the page. Doing so opens a list of available search engines.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Google Your Default Search Engine
    This will select Google and set it as your Firefox search engine.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 11:

Samsung Browser

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  1. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  2. It's the last option in the pop-up window, and it has an icon of a cogwheel.
  4. Once you have selected Google, tap < to go back and save your selection.
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Method 9
Method 9 of 11:

Opera on Desktop

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  1. It's in the top-left corner of the screen. This will open Opera's menu.
  2. You can also press Alt + P to open the Settings menu directly.
  3. This will instantly bring up the option to change your default search engine.
  4. Your current default search engine will be displayed under the "Search engine" heading.
  5. Click the radio button next to Google and then click the Set as default button to change your search engine. Your Google Chrome settings save automatically.
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Method 10
Method 10 of 11:

Opera on iPhone

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  1. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  2. It's at the bottom of the pop-up menu, and it has an icon of a cogwheel.
  3. You'll need to scroll down to find this option.
  4. Once you're done, tap the button in the upper-left corner of the screen to go back and save your choice.
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Method 11
Method 11 of 11:

Opera on Android

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  1. It's in the upper-right corner.
  2. It's at the top of the menu, next to the power button icon.
  3. You'll have to scroll down to find this option. It has an icon of a magnifying glass.
  4. It's at the top of the Search menu.
  5. Your choice will automatically be applied and saved.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I set up Google to always search in the current year or month or a set time?
    Community Answer
    You can do that by clicking "Tools" on the right under the search bar, and then clicking where it says "Any time." It will give you several options for searching within different time frames.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 9
  • Question
    What is it called when you start typing a subject in Google and a drop-down appears with possible selections?
    IJDerrick
    Community Answer
    These drop-downs are called "suggested searches" or "search predictions." They use common searches and store them since they are so popular.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Setting Google as your default search engine will not set Google Chrome as your default browser. If you want to set Chrome as your default browser, do the following:
        • Windows: Type default apps into the taskbar search bar, then click Default apps . Scroll down and click Google Chrome . At the top of the window, you'll see an option to set Google Chrome as your default browser. Click Set default to do so.
        • Mac: Click the Apple menu and click System Settings > Desktop & Dock . Under Default web browser , choose Google Chrome.
        • Android: Open your settings app and tap Apps > Default apps (under "General") > Browser app . Choose Chrome .
        • iPhone: Open the settings app and tap Apps (iOS 18 and later only) > Chrome > Default Browser App . Choose Chrome .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/464?hl=en#zippy=,google-chrome
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/464?hl=en#zippy=,google-chrome
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/464?hl=en#zippy=,google-chrome
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/464?hl=en#zippy=,google-chrome
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/464?hl=en#zippy=,google-chrome
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/464?hl=en#zippy=,google-chrome
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/safari/sfria1042d31/mac
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/safari/sfria1042d31/mac
      9. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/in-ios-17-apple-adds-ability-to-change-search-engine-in-safari-private-browsing/
      1. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/in-ios-17-apple-adds-ability-to-change-search-engine-in-safari-private-browsing/
      2. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/in-ios-17-apple-adds-ability-to-change-search-engine-in-safari-private-browsing/
      3. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/in-ios-17-apple-adds-ability-to-change-search-engine-in-safari-private-browsing/
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/change-your-default-search-engine-in-microsoft-edge-cccaf51c-a4df-a43e-8036-d4d2c527a791
      5. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox
      6. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox
      7. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox
      8. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-engine-firefox-ios
      9. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-engine-firefox-ios
      10. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-engine-firefox-ios

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