Tech Reference

How to change the default search engine on your computer or phone

Written by William Antonelli
a woman working from home and using her laptop
Your web browser lets you freely change your search engine. recep-bg/Getty Images
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If you've ever found a new website, it was almost certainly by using a search engine like Google or Bing. Search engines are so important that every major web browser has a whole selection of them built into the software — you just need to type something into the URL bar and your search engine will find it.

But every user has a search engine they like best. And if your browser isn't using that one, surfing the web can get frustrating.

Luckily, every web browser lets you change your search engine. They all offer at least Google, Bing, and Yahoo, and most will give a few more options too.

Here's how to change the search engine on your Mac, PC, iPhone/iPad, or Android device.

How to change the search engine on your Mac or PC

The steps you'll take to change your browser's search engine depend on which browser you're using. But in general, you should open your browser's Settings or Preferences menu, then click Search. You'll find the options to change your search engine there.

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome and click the stacked three dots in the top-right corner.

2. Select Settings, then click Search engine in the left sidebar.

3. Use the Search engine used in the address bar option to select which search engine you want to use.

Google Chrome's Search settings page. The search engine options are highlighted.
Chrome, like most browsers, has a dedicated Search settings page.  Google; William Antonelli/Insider

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge and click the three dots in the top-right corner, then select Settings.

2. On the page that opens, click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar.

3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Address bar and search.

The "Privacy, search, and services" menu in Microsoft Edge. The "Address bar and search" option is highlighted.
"Address bar and search" is the last option on this page.  Microsoft; William Antonelli/Insider

4. Use the Search engine used in the address bar option to pick your search engine.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox and click the three stacked lines in the top-right corner.

2. Select Settings, then click Search in the left sidebar.

3. Use the drop-down menu under Default Search Engine to pick your browser's search engine.

Firefox's Search settings page.
Firefox includes eBay and Wikipedia as search engine options.  Mozilla; William Antonelli/Insider

Safari

1. Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of your screen.

2. Select Preferences, and then click Search at the top of the menu that opens.

3. Use the Search engine: drop-down menu to pick your browser's new search engine.

Safari's Search settings menu.
Safari gives you five options for search engines.  Apple; William Antonelli/Insider

How to change the search engine on your iPhone, iPad, or Android

iPhone and iPad

The default web browser on Apple devices is Safari. You can customize it with the Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to select Safari.

2. Tap Search Engine, then select the search engine you want to use.

The Safari settings page in an iPhone's Settings app.
You'll manage Safari through the Settings app.  Apple; William Antonelli/Insider

You can also download the Edge, Firefox, and Chrome apps. To change the search engine in those apps, open their in-app Settings menus.

Android

Different Android devices have different default web browsers. But in general, new phones start with Google Chrome.

1. Open the Google Chrome app and tap the three stacked dots in the top-right corner, then select Settings.

2. Under Basics, tap Search engine.

The Settings menu in Google Chrome on an Android phone.
Chrome's search engine options are under the "Basics" heading.  Google; William Antonelli/Insider

3. Select your new search engine.

If you use a different browser app, check that app's Settings menu.

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WillAntonelli
William Antonelli
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.