How to Set Chrome as Default Browser in Mac?

Apple supplies Safari as a default browser on their devices like Mac, iPhone and iPad. Safari will work well when you have a new Mac. However, the performance of the Safari browser will go down when time passes. If you are struggling with slow Safari, then it’s a good time to consider alternate browsers like Google Chrome.

Install Chrome in Mac

Unfortunately, Chrome does not offer any app in Mac App Store for easy installation. You need to manually go to Chrome website to download and install the browser on your Mac. However, Chrome does better job than Safari in many situations.

• Though Chrome Windows and Mac apps have slight differences, you will still get a near to platform independent browsing experience.
• Integrations with Gmail and other Google services can make your life easier.
• There are thousands of free extensions available in Chrome Web Store compared to handful of add-ons for Safari.
• Similarly, thousands of free themes are available for Chrome while you do not have many options with Safari.
• If you are a web designer or developer, then Chrome is a must needed browser for testing.
• Chrome also offers a beta, development and canary release channels while Safari is a single app.

Set Chrome as Default Browser in Mac

There are multiple ways to change your default browser in Mac.

From Google Chrome

After installing the app, simply launch the browser. Chrome will show a notification, “Google Chrome isn’t your default browser”. Click on the “Set as default” button.

You will see another prompt from Mac asking you to confirm the action. Click “Use Chrome” button to change your default browser from Safari to Chrome.

From System Preferences

If you have closed the default browser notification in Chrome, then you can change the browser from system settings.

• Click on the Apple logo on top left corner of the menu bar and go to “System Preferences…” menu.
• Select “General” preferences section.
• Click the “Default web browser” dropdown and select Google Chrome” from the list.
• This will instantly change the default browser to Chrome.

Changing Default Browser Back to Safari

For any reasons if you want to revert default browser back to Safari, you can do that from Safari settings page.

• Open Safari app and go to “Safari > Preferences…” menu. Alternatively, press “Command + ,” shortcuts keys to open the preferences dialog.
• Go to “General” section and you will see a notification showing “Safari is not your default web browser”.
• Click “Set Default…” button to change the default browser from Chrome to Safari.

Impact of Changing Default Browser

Though changing to Chrome will help as explained above, remember the following things.

• Changing the browser will NOT help to open files like CSS in Chrome. For this, you need to change the filetype association and change default app to open each filetype.
• Continuity features like sharing links from iPhone to Mac will open the webpage in default browser Chrome.
• Similarly, AirDrop will also use the default browser Chrome.