Want your Windows PC to open links in Firefox, your Mac to download Chrome, or your iPhone to open links in Edge? Here's how to change the default web browser on your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android device.
Every computer and mobile device has a web browser installed by default. Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Edge and Apple devices run Safari. On Android, the default may be Google Chrome, Samsung Internet, or something else, such as the stock Android browser that predominates on older models.
However, you don't have to stick with this default value. If you change it, any link or web file you click will open in the browser of your choice. Here's how to make the switch for each type of operating system and platform.
Set by browser
Before going to your device's settings, go to your desired browser and set it as default. To do this in Google Chrome, for example, click the three dots icon in the top right corner and select Settings > Default Browser > Set as Default. In Firefox, click the hamburger icon in the top right corner and select Options. Under General, click Set as Default.
Service pages
In the address bar of Google Chrome, you can enter special service commands to fine-tune individual functional modules, plugins, and view data.
Type chrome://about and press Enter to see a list of all available commands.
Most used directives:
- chrome://cache - view cache contents;
- chrome://extensions - list of connected addons;
- chrome://flash - information about the integrated Flash add-on.
Windows 10
In Windows 10, Microsoft replaced Internet Explorer with Edge, which received a Chromium-based overhaul in 2022. Naturally, Microsoft recommends sticking with your browser, but you can change it. Open the Windows 10 Settings menu and go to Applications > Default Applications. Scroll down and click Web Browser and you can choose Edge, Firefox, Chrome, IE, or another program that you can download from the Microsoft Store.
Google Chrome
The search giant has already made sure that Windows 8 users have a touch version of its Chrome browser at their disposal. However, it is even more than just a browser. In fact, this is a full-fledged desktop, made in the style of the Chrome OS operating system, which allows you to work with several Chrome windows at once. You can even run apps like you would on a Chromebook. Overall, this is a completely different approach, but it might still be worth a try.
To launch Chrome in touch screen mode, click on the Chrome menu button and select "Restart Chrome in Windows 8 mode." If you don't see this option, it's likely that Chrome's touch mode is not currently compatible with your device. For example, Chrome does not currently support Surface Pro 2 or other devices with high dots per inch (DPI) displays.
Unlike Internet Explorer and Firefox, Chrome allows you to run browser add-ons inside its touch interface. At the same time, it cannot be said that Chrome for Windows 8 is a completely touch-optimized browser, like Internet Explorer and Firefox. Instead, Google simply moved the desktop from Chrome OS to Windows. So, if you just want a full-screen browser for use on a tablet, Chrome won't be the ideal option for you.
Windows 8.1
In Windows 8.1, you are initially stuck with Internet Explorer as your default browser. Turn it off by opening the Charms panel and clicking the settings icon. In the Settings panel, click Change PC Settings > Search & Apps > Defaults. From here the process is similar to Windows 10; Click on the current default for web browser and change it to the browser of your choice.
Availability
Download the latest version of Google Chrome will be released for the following platforms:
- Windows
- MacOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- Windows Phone
- TVs (Smart TV)
For your convenience, we have prepared installation instructions for each case. To open the article you need, open the corresponding link. And here we will provide quick guides for PC and mobile phones.
Case #1: Computers and laptops
- Open ChromeSetup.exe.
- First, the necessary files will be downloaded, and then they will be unpacked. Wait for it to complete.
- Click on "Close".
Case #2: Smartphones and tablets
For all mobile platforms the procedure is approximately the same:
- Launch the built-in application store (Google Play, App Store or Microsoft Store).
- Call the search function.
- Enter a Chrome query.
- Open the appropriate page.
- Tap on the installation option. Sometimes the “Update” button will be displayed instead if the application is already preinstalled on the device, but is inactive (applies to Android).
- Wait until the procedure is completed.
- Launch Chrome.
Download page for the latest versions of Google Chrome for all major platforms (links for mobile devices are located at the end)
Download Google Chrome
Windows 7
Microsoft stopped offering security updates for Windows 7 in January 2022, so you should consider upgrading to a more modern and secure OS. Otherwise, Internet Explorer will again be the default browser, but the process for changing it is different from Windows 10 and 8.1. Open Control Panel in Icon View and select Default Programs > Set Default Programs. You can then select the browser you want to set as your default.
Note that the status indicates that the new default browser currently has X number of default values. Click "Set this program as default." And the status should change to indicate that the browser has all the default settings.
How to make the default browser in Windows XP
Some time ago, several browsers were used mainly by programmers and web designers and layout designers, who needed to test created projects in all existing Internet browsers in order to avoid absurdities. Today the situation has changed radically; many users have begun to use several browsers on one desktop or laptop computer. This is easily explained by the fact that each Internet browser has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, Opera works quite quickly and you can open many tabs without slowing down the program. The Mozilla Firefox browser is not so fast, but it has an incredible number of different add-ons that can make it easier to complete certain tasks.
Despite the many Internet browsers used, each user has a favorite browser in which he wants all links to be opened (from ICQ, email, PDF documents, various instructions in .htm format, etc.). How to make one or another browser the default? There are many ways, I will tell you about the simplest and most common.
Setting the default browser using Windows.
The Windows operating system has a kind of editor that allows you to change default programs to open certain files or perform certain tasks. This editor, in my opinion, is far from ideal, but it is suitable for setting the default browser. So what needs to be done. In the “Start” menu, select “Control Panel” and, in the window that opens, double-click on the “Add or Remove Programs” icon. Next, go to the “Select default programs” tab and select the required browser from the list. To save changes, click “Ok” at the bottom of the window.
Selecting the default browser in Windows XP.
Setting the default browser using the browser itself.
1.Opera. In the “Tools” menu, select “Settings”, in the window that opens, go to the “Advanced” tab. Next, in the list on the left, select “Programs” and then “Settings”.
Setting Opera as your default browser.
A window will open in which you need to note which files will be opened in the Opera browser by default, as well as what tasks are assigned to this Internet browser. In order for Opera to open Internet pages, about and “https”, if desired, you can select other protocols, for example “ftp”, “news” or “mailto”. To save the settings, click “Ok” at the bottom of the window.
Setting Opera as your default browser.
2. Mozilla Firefox. In the “Settings” menu, select “Settings”, in the window that opens, go to the “Advanced” tab. Next, in the “General” tab, click on the “Check Now” button and click on the question “Firefox is not your default browser. Make him like that? answer yes.
Setting Mozilla Firefox as your default browser.
3. Internet Explorer. In the “Tools” menu, select “Internet Options”, in the window that opens, go to the “Programs” tab. Next, click on the “Set as default” button.
Setting Internet Explorer as the default browser.
4. Safari. Press Ctrl+b, a window with browser settings will open. On the “Basic” tab, in the “Standard web browser” field, set “Safari web browser” and close the settings window.
If nothing happens, perform the operation again, but just select any other browser from the list and close the window. Next, repeat the first step (sometimes it happens that Safari does not change the settings the first time).
Setting Safari as your default browser.
Setting the default browser using third-party tools.
There are several other ways to set a particular browser as the default for opening Internet pages, including using additional software, for example using the free Default Browser utility. I see no point in describing these methods, since all the necessary settings can be made using standard means, and quite simply and quickly. Note. It is worth noting that links in applications developed by Microsoft, regardless of the default Internet browser, will open in Internet Explorer. Of course, this is unfair competition, but nothing can be done.
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macOS
Changing the default browser on Mac is quick and easy. On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen, open System Preferences, and click the General icon. On the General screen, click the drop-down next to Default Web Browser and select the program you want.
What does connecting TV to the Internet provide?
Connecting a Smart TV to the Internet provides users with a lot of new opportunities. But not all people understand why this is necessary.
Below we will look at what the user will get if he connects the TV to the network:
- Unobstructed access to surfing.
- You can play media materials online.
- Use Skype and convenient instant messengers.
- Run applications and games on the TV.
Most models of modern TVs can be connected to the Internet: LG, Samsung, Philips, Toshiba and many others. A Smart TV with the Internet is an opportunity to fully use all the functionality of modern equipment. Before connecting the Internet to your TV, you need to choose the right connection type. With the correct connection and correct settings, you will immediately have access to the network.
iOS and iPadOS
In the past, Apple prevented you from changing the default browser on your iPhone or iPad, but this has changed with iOS 14 and iPadOS. To switch your default browser from Safari to any other, go to Settings and select your preferred browser - be it Chrome, Firefox or Edge. Tap the entry for the Default Browser app and select the browser you want to use.
How to use your phone as a modem for a laptop or computer?
Now let's take a closer look at these few schemes:
- The phone (tablet/smartphone) connects to the Internet via a SIM card and works as a router that distributes the Internet via wifi. With this use, we can access the Internet from another smartphone, laptop, tablet or anything else that supports wireless communication.
The phone is connected via wifi to the Internet and to a desktop PC via Bluetooth, giving the latter access to the network.
The phone is connected to the mobile Internet and via a USB cable to the computer to which the Internet is transmitted. I don’t see the point in talking about the router mode here for a long time, since there are already two excellent articles that tell in great detail with pictures about its operation on Android or iOS - just read it and everything will work out.
Android
The only way to set Google Chrome as the default web browser on Android is through your phone's settings. These settings will vary depending on the manufacturer. But usually, you can swipe down from the top edge of the screen and tap the gear icon to enter the settings menu.
Look for the option labeled "Applications" or "Applications and Notifications." Open the list of installed applications and tap your preferred browser entry. Swipe down the information screen for the selected app, then tap the Browser app entry and choose a new default.
Mozilla Firefox
The touch version of Mozilla's Firefox came out more than a year ago. The interface of this version is still far from ideal, so you won't find it in stable builds of Firefox. Instead, you need to install the beta version of Firefox, launch it, and click "Restart Firefox in Windows 8 touch mode."
The Firefox touch start page consists of links to bookmarks and recently visited sites. Like Internet Explorer, this browser runs in full screen mode. The interface is also somewhat reminiscent of Internet Explorer 11, but this is Firefox.
The browser has a convenient bar of tabs and navigation, which you can access by simply swiping from the top or bottom of the screen. Additionally, Firefox touch supports Firefox Sync, which is especially useful for those who use Firefox on other computers or Android devices. With this feature, your browser data will be available on all your devices.
