To change your default search engine, open your browser’s settings, find the Search or Search engine section, and pick the one you want from the list. In Chrome that is Settings, then Search engine. In Edge it sits under Privacy, search, and services, in Firefox under Search, and in Safari on a Mac under Safari Settings, then Search.
Menu paths for Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari
The search engine setting controls what happens when you type words into the address bar instead of a web address. People switch for all sorts of reasons, from preferring a certain look to wanting a provider with different privacy settings. Each desktop browser keeps the option in a slightly different place.
| Browser | Where to click |
|---|---|
| Chrome | More menu at top right, Settings, Search engine, then Change |
| Edge | Settings and more, Settings, Privacy, search, and services, Search and connected services, Address bar and search |
| Firefox | Menu button, Settings, Search, then the Default Search Engine drop-down |
| Safari on Mac | Safari menu, Settings, Search |
Google’s Chrome help page and Microsoft’s Edge support article list these same steps. Menu names shift a little between versions, so if a label looks different, look for the word Search in the settings sidebar.
Changing the search engine on an Android phone or iPhone
Phones hide the setting one level deeper. In Chrome on Android, tap the three dot More menu, then Settings, then Search engine under Basics, and choose the one you want. Google notes that search engines you have visited recently are added as options.
On an iPhone, Safari’s search engine is changed in the Settings app, not inside Safari itself. Apple’s current guide sends you to Settings, then Search, then Search Engine. Older versions of iOS kept it on the Safari page in Settings, so if you do not see a Search entry, open Safari in the Settings list and look there.
Adding a search engine that is not on the list
Every browser ships with a handful of choices, and the list can differ by country and by version, but you are not limited to them. The usual trick is to visit the search engine and run one search with it. Microsoft’s instructions for Edge say to do exactly that, after which the engine appears as an option in the address bar menu. Chrome works in a similar way, picking up search engines you have used.
Firefox also accepts new engines added through its settings, and many search providers offer an official browser extension that sets itself as the default. Install those only from the browser’s own add-on store.
When the search engine keeps switching back
If your choice keeps reverting, an extension is the most likely cause. Mozilla notes that some Firefox extensions can set a new default search engine, and the fix is to disable or remove the extension that made the change. Other browsers behave the same way.
- Open the browser’s extensions or add-ons page.
- Turn off anything you do not recognize or did not install on purpose.
- Set your preferred search engine again.
- Restart the browser and check that the setting held.
If the setting still flips back, run a full scan with the security software you already trust, since unwanted programs installed alongside free downloads can change browser settings too. On a work or school computer, the organization may manage the browser, and some settings will be locked. Ask your IT team rather than trying to work around it.
Search engine, default browser and homepage are separate settings
These three get mixed up often. The search engine decides where address bar searches go. The default browser decides which app opens when you tap a link, which you change in your computer or phone settings. The homepage is the page that loads when you open the browser or press the home button, and it has its own spot in settings. Changing one never changes the others, so if links still open in the wrong app after you switch search engines, it is the default browser setting you need, which has its own guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my search engine keep changing to one I did not pick?
An extension or a bundled program is usually responsible. Some extensions are allowed to set the default search engine. Remove any you do not recognize, then set your choice again. If it still changes, run a scan with trusted security software, since unwanted programs can do the same thing.
Does changing the search engine delete my bookmarks or history?
No. The search engine setting only controls where searches from the address bar are sent. Bookmarks, saved passwords and history stay exactly where they are. You can switch back at any time by returning to the same settings page.
Can I use a different search engine without changing the default?
Yes. You can go to any search engine's website and search there directly. Several browsers also let you assign short keywords to search engines, so typing the keyword before your search sends that one query to a different engine while your default stays put.
How do you remove a search engine from Chrome?
Open Chrome's menu, choose Settings, then Search engine, then Manage search engines and site search. Find the engine you want gone, select the More menu to its right and choose Delete. Google's Chrome Help notes that the Gemini shortcut is an exception and cannot be edited or deleted.
