This wikiHow teaches you how to set Google as your browser's primary search engine. You can do this on browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, both mobile and desktop versions. You can also set it on Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer browsers (available for the desktop version only). If you've changed your search engine but still need to use another search engine, you can disable your browser extensions or run a virus scan on your computer to check for programs that might have changed your browser settings.
Step
Method 1 of 8: Chrome (Desktop Version)
Step 1. Open
Google Chrome.
The program is marked by a red, yellow, green, and blue ball icon.
Step 2. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the browser window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Settings
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Scroll down and click on Manage search engines
This option is in the "Search engine" section.
You can also return the search engine used in the address bar to Google in this segment by clicking the “Search engine used in the address bar” drop-down box and selecting “ Google ”.
Step 5. Click
which is next to Google.
After that, a new menu will be displayed.
Step 6. Click Make default
You can see this option in the menu. After that, Google will be set as Google Chrome's main search engine.
Method 2 of 8: Chrome (Mobile Version)
Step 1. Open
Google Chrome.
Tap the Chrome app icon, which looks like a red, yellow, green, and blue ball.
Step 2. Touch
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Touch Settings
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Touch Search Engine
It's at the top of the page.
Step 5. Touch Google
After that, Google will be selected as the main search engine of the Chrome browser.
Step 6. Touch DONE
The new settings set will be saved and you will be taken back to the last tab or window visited.
Skip this step if you are using an Android device
Method 3 of 8: Firefox (Desktop Version)
Step 1. Open Firefox
The icon resembles an orange fox circling a blue globe.
Step 2. Click the button
It's in the top-right corner of the page. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Options (Windows) or Preferences (Mac).
This option is in the drop-down menu that appears.
Step 4. Click the Search tab
This tab is on the left side of the browser window (Windows) or the top of the window (Mac).
Step 5. Click the "Default Search Engine" drop-down box
This box is at the top of the window. After that, a new drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 6. Click Google
After that, Google will be selected as Firefox's main search engine.
Method 4 of 8: Firefox (Mobile Version)
Step 1. Open Firefox
Tap the Firefox app icon, which looks like an orange fox surrounding a blue globe.
Step 2. Touch the button (iPhone) or ⋮
(Android).
It's in the bottom-center (iPhone) or top-right corner of the screen (Android).
Step 3. Touch Settings
It's in the pop-up menu that appears at the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or at the bottom of the drop-down menu (Android). After that, the Firefox settings menu will open.
On iPhone, you may need to swipe left or right from the menu to display the “ Settings ”.
Step 4. Touch Search
It's at the top of the page.
Step 5. Touch the search engine your browser is currently using
You can see it at the top of the page. After that, a list of available search engines will be displayed on the screen.
Step 6. Touch Google
After that, Google will be selected and set as Firefox's main search engine.
Method 5 of 8: Microsoft Edge
Step 1. Open Microsoft Edge
This program is marked with the letter “e” in dark blue.
Step 2. Click the button
It's in the upper-right corner of the Edge window. Once clicked, a drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Click Settings
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. After that, a new menu will appear on the right side of the page.
Step 4. Scroll down and click View advanced settings
It's at the bottom of the pop-out menu.
Step 5. Scroll back to the screen and click Change search engine
This option is in the "Search in address bar with" section.
Step 6. Click Google
After that, Google will be selected.
Step 7. Click Set as default
It's at the bottom of the menu. Now, the search engine used by Microsoft Edge's address bar will be changed to Google.
Method 6 of 8: Internet Explorer
Step 1. Open Internet Explorer
The program is marked by a light blue “e” icon wrapped in a gold ribbon.
Step 2. Click
"Settings".
It's a gear icon in the upper-right corner of the Internet Explorer window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Internet options
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click the Programs tab
This tab is in the upper-right corner of the “Internet Options” window.
Step 5. Click Manage add-ons
This button is in the “Manage add-ons” section that appears in the “Internet Options” window. After that, a second window will open.
Step 6. Click the Search Providers tab
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 7. Select Google
Click the Google icon in the middle of the window to select it.
Step 8. Click Set as default
It's in the lower-right corner of the search engine window. After that, Google will be set as Internet Explorer's search engine.
Step 9. Click Close
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 10. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the “Internet Options” window. Now, Internet Explorer will use Google as the browser's primary search engine.
Method 7 of 8: Safari (Desktop Version)
Step 1. Open Safari
This program is marked by a blue compass icon.
Step 2. Click Safari
It's in the top-left corner of the screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Preferences…
It's at the top of the drop-down menu " Safari " Once clicked, the “Preferences” window will open.
Step 4. Click the Search tab
This tab is at the top of the “Preferences” window.
Step 5. Click the "Search engine" drop-down box
This box is at the top of the “Search” tab. Once clicked, a new drop-down menu will appear.
Step 6. Click Google
This option is displayed in the drop-down menu. Now, Google is set as Safari's primary search engine.
Method 8 of 8: Safari (on iPhone)
Step 1. Open iPhone settings menu
(“Settings”).
Touch the gray gear icon which is usually shown on the home screen.
Step 2. Swipe the screen and touch Safari
It's in the lower third of the settings page.
Step 3. Touch Search Engine
This option is in the " SEARCH " section.
Step 4. Touch Google
It's at the top of the page. After that, Google will be set as Safari's primary search engine.
