Google Chrome holds the title of being the world’s most popular browser and there is a good reason for that. The browser is highly optimized and it makes it super easy for everyone to surf the web. However, the best thing about Google Chrome is the plethora of features that it offers to users. On the downside of things, setting Google Chrome as the default browser can sometimes be difficult, especially on iOS-powered devices where Apple wants Safari to be the default browser. Here is where we come in. Today we are going to show you exactly what you need to do in order to set Google Chrome as the default browser on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
What is a Default Browser?
Before we show you how to set Google Chrome as the default browser on your device, it’s worth taking the time to explain what a default browser does and why it is so important. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a default browser represents the app that will automatically open when you click a link in a message, email or even a document. Some links are compatible only with certain browsers and this is why using an alternative option that the one provided by your operating system can be a great idea.
How to Make Google Chrome as Default Browser
Windows
The first thing that you want to do is to open the System settings panel by pressing the Windows key + I. The next step is to click on “Apps”. Now, a new menu is going to pop-up and you need to select the “Default apps” option. Scroll down until you see the “Web Browser” section and then select Google Chrome. The only thing left to do is to close the Settings panel and then Chrome will be your new default browser.
macOS
As previously mentioned in the beginning, Apple automatically sets Safari as the default browser on all its devices. However, this doesn’t mean that there is no way to change it to Google Chrome. With that said, the first step in order to set Google Chrome as the default browser on macOS is to open the browser and then access the Preferences bar from the top menu or by pressing Cmd+. Now, select the “Default Browser” option and click on the “Make Default” option. A window with the following message will pop up “Do you want to change your default web browser to Chrome or keep using Safari?” and you need to click “Use Chrome”.
Android
Some of you probably know this already, but Google Chrome is selected as the default browser on all Android-powered smartphones. However, there are some exceptions such as the smartphones that are running on custom ROMs that override all default settings. Fortunately, this problem can be solved quickly. Head over to the Play Store and download Google Chrome on the designated smartphone. Next, access the Settings panel and scroll down until you see the “Apps” option and tap on it. Now, tap on “Default Apps” and scroll down until you see the option labeled as “Browser”. Simply select Google Chrome and then close the Settings panel.
iOS
The only way to replace Safar with Google Chrome as the default on iOS is to jailbreak the device. However, jailbreaking an iPhone or iPad is not a wise decision. While you might not be able to replace Safari on iOS, there is a way to make Google Chrome easier to access so that you don’t have to use Safari. This can be done by adding the Google Chrome icon to the iPhone’s dock. Make sure to remove all apps from the dock so that the Google Chrome icon stands out. You can do this by pressing and holding on the dock until the icons start jiggling. Now, you can tap on the “x” that is located in their left corner to make room for Google’s browser.