How to Change the Default Search Engine in Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Firefox

Changing the default search engine on mobile devices requires a slightly different approach. Follow these steps to adjust your settings in Chrome on Android, which are generally applicable to iOS as well:

1. Press the three dots in the top-right corner of your browser
    
   Access the Chrome menu to adjust browser settings.
    
   
2. Click “Settings”
    
   From the menu, navigate to the Chrome settings.
    
   
3. Click the “Search engine” button
    
   Select the search engine setting to view and change your current search provider.
    
   
4. Choose a new search engine from the list
    
   You have options such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia. Select your preferred search engine.
    
   

In Microsoft Edge, changing the search engine can feel somewhat hidden, especially since it defaults to Bing. This tutorial will guide you through setting up Google or another search engine as your default, enhancing your browsing experience.

1. Open Microsoft Edge Settings
    
   Navigate to the settings menu by clicking the “…” button at the top-right corner of your Edge window, then selecting “Settings“.
    
   
2. Open “Address bar and search”
    
   Locate the “Address bar and search” option at the very bottom of the settings page, under the “Services” section.
    
   
3. Change the default search engine
    
   Upon navigating to the page, you'll see a section titled “Search engine used in the address bar“. Click the dropdown menu here to select your preferred search engine. Edge conveniently populates this dropdown with search engines you've visited, making selection easier. If your desired search engine isn't listed, the next steps cover manual addition.
    
   
4. Optional: Add a custom search engine by pressing “Manage search engines”
    
   This option is located directly under the dropdown menu previously mentioned, towards the bottom of the page.
    
   
5. Press “Add” in the top-right corner
    
   Clicking here allows you to start the process of adding a new custom search engine.
    
   
6. Enter the name, keyword, and URL for your default search engine
    
   Create quick access to the search engine by typing a keyword. To define the URL, perform a search on the engine, replace the search term in its URL with %s, and enter this in the “URL with %s in place of query” field. For instance, searching “Winbuzzer” on DuckDuckGo generates the URL https://duckduckgo.com/?q=winbuzzer&t=h_&ia=web; hence you'd enter https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%s. Click “Add” to finalize.
    
   
7. Set the Search Engine as Default
    
   This final step involves making your chosen search engine the default for Edge by utilizing the options provided next to it.
    
   

Like on desktop, the process to change the search engine in Edge is a bit more convoluted. Thankfully, you probably won't be switching search providers very often.

1. Press the three dots in the bottom-middle of your screen
    
   Locate and press the “…” icon at the bottom-middle of your screen to open the Edge menu.
    
   
2. Tap “Settings”
    
   Navigate through the menu and tap on “Settings” to access the settings dashboard.
    
   
3. Select “General”
    
   Within the settings menu, find and select “General” to proceed with the configuration.
    
   
4. Tap “Select search engine”
    
   Look for the “Select search engine” option and tap on it to view available search engines.
    
   
5. Choose a search engine from the list or one you've recently visited
    
   If you're yet to visit your search engine of choice in this browser, you can visit it now and repeat this process. This step allows you to select your preferred search engine from a list of available options or from ones you've recently used.
    
   

In Firefox, changing the default search engine is a straightforward process. This flexibility is essential, considering Firefox's emphasis on privacy, in contrast to the default search engine, Google. Follow these steps to switch your default search engine to a provider of your choice, or to revert back to Google if preferred.

1. Open Firefox settings
    
   Click the “…” menu in the top-right corner of Firefox and select “Settings.” This action will navigate you to the settings panel, where various aspects of Firefox can be adjusted.
    
   
2. Click “Search” in the sidebar and seek the dropdown under “Default Search Engine”
    
   Beneath “Search” in the settings, identify the dropdown labeled as “Default Search Engine.” Typically, this dropdown will list Google, Amazon, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Wikipedia as options, alongside any region-specific search engines.
    
   
3. Add more search engine options to Firefox
    
   If your preferred search engine is not listed, continue to scroll until you encounter a list of search engines with their respective keywords. Beneath this list, click “Find more search engines” to explore additional options.
    
   
4. Seek your preferred search engine in the add-on store
    
   Within the add-on store, use the search feature to locate your desired search engine. While this tutorial mentions Amazon as an example, many other search engines are available for installation.
    
   
5. Press “Add to Firefox” on the extension page
    
   
6. Click “Add” on the pop-up
    
   
7. Change the Firefox default search engine to your new choice
    
   Access the “Settings > Search” section once more to set your newly added search engine as the default via the previously mentioned dropdown menu.
    
   

 

Firefox Mobile presents a distinctive method for altering your default search engine. With a focus on user accessibility and customization, follow these steps to change your search settings:

1. Open Firefox and click on the address bar
    
   Engage with the search bar at the browser's bottom to start changing your search settings.
    
   
2. Press the “Search engine” button above the address bar
    
   Quickly access the search engine options available in Firefox Mobile.
    
   
3. Choose from the list or tap “Search engine settings”
    
   Select an existing search engine or adjust more detailed settings.
    
   
4. Press “Add search engine”
    
   For adding a new search engine not listed, select this option.
    
   
5. Enter the details of your new default search engine
    
   Include the name and search string for your new engine. Use %s in your URL in place of the search query for accurate search results.
    
   

Opera isn't the most popular browser, but its dedication to privacy attracts a passionate userbase. By default, it uses Google as its search engine. If you're considering a switch to a more privacy-centric option, follow these steps to adjust Opera's search settings:

1. Open Opera settings
    
   Navigate to the Opera menu by clicking the abacus icon at the top-right corner, then select “Go to full browser settings” to access the settings menu.
    
   
2. Scroll down to the Opera search engine heading and change the dropdown
    
   Here, you have options such as Google Search, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, Amazon, Bing, and Wikipedia. For more options, see the upcoming steps.
    
   
3. Click the “Manage search engines” button underneath the dropdown
    
   Proceed to manage and explore alternative search engines available for Opera.
    
   
4. Add additional Opera search engines
   Under the “Other search engines” heading, press “Add” to include a new search engine.
     
   
5. Enter your search engine details
    
   Provide the required name, URL, and keyword for the new search engine. Use the keyword for quick access when it's not set as a default. Replace your search term in the search engine's URL with %s to create an accurate URL format.
    
   
6. Change the Opera default search engine via the “Other search engines” table
    
   Finally, click the three dots next to your newly added search engine and select “Make default“.
    
   

It's relatively easy to change the search engine in Opera Mobile, but your options are limited to a preset list of providers.

1. Tap the Opera logo in the bottom-right corner
    
   Open the Opera Mobile browser and tap the “Opera logo” located at the bottom-right corner to access the browser menu.
    
   
2. Tap “Settings”
    
   In the menu that appears, scroll down and tap on “Settings” to open the settings menu where you can customize your browsing preferences.
    
   
3. Select “Default search engine”
    
   Within the Settings menu, look for the option labeled “Default search engine” and tap on it to view the available search engine options.
    
   
4. Choose a search engine from the list
    
   You should have the choice between Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Amazon, eBay, IMDb, and Wikipedia. However, the options may vary slightly based on your region. Select your preferred search engine to set it as the default for your searches in Opera.
    
   

Switching your search engine in Safari is streamlined and user-friendly. Here's how to change your default search engine to Google, Bing, Yahoo, or DuckDuckGo in just a few steps:

1. Open Safari preferences
    
   Select “Safari” from the menu bar and click “Preferences…“.
    
   
2. Change search engine
    
   Within the “Search” tab, locate the “Search engine” section. Open the dropdown menu next to it and select your preferred search engine from the provided list.
    
   

If you're changing the search engine on Safari for iOS, the process is streamlined and can be done with the following steps:

1. Find the Settings App

   Begin by locating the “Settings” app on your iOS device. You can find it on your home screen, or you can swipe down from the middle of the screen to access the search function and type in “Settings“.

2. Navigate to Safari Settings

   Once in the Settings menu, scroll down until you find the option labeled “Safari“. This is typically located below the list of Apple's own apps like Messages and Mail. Tap on “Safari” to access the browser's specific settings.

3. Select ‘Search Engine'

   Inside the Safari settings menu, look for the section titled “Search“. Tap on the first option within this section, labeled “Search Engine“. This will lead you to a page where you can select your preferred search engine.

3. Choose Your Search Engine

   You'll see a list of search engine options available for Safari. The most common options are Google, Yahoo, Bing, and DuckDuckGo. Each search engine name is accompanied by a logo to help you identify them quickly. To change your default search engine, simply tap on the name of the search engine you prefer. A checkmark will appear next to your selected option, indicating that it is now set as the default for Safari.

5. Exit Settings
   After selecting your new search engine, there's no need to save your choice manually; iOS saves this change automatically. Simply exit the Settings app by pressing the Home button on devices with a Home button or swiping up from the bottom of the screen on devices without a Home button.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Changing the Search Engine in Web Browsers

Can I set a specific search engine for incognito mode or private browsing in my browser?

Is it possible to automatically switch search engines based on the type of search in Firefox?

How can I import or export my custom search engine settings in Chrome?

Can using a different search engine reduce the amount of targeted advertising I see online?

Will changing my search engine affect auto-suggestions in the address bar?

Can I block certain search engines from being set as default accidentally in Opera?

What happens to my bookmarks and saved passwords if I change my default search engine in Edge?

Is it possible to change the default search engine in Opera to one that isn't listed in the default options?

The process to change the default search engine in other browsers generally involves accessing the browser's settings or preferences menu, looking for the search engine or search settings section, and either selecting a new default from the given options or adding a new one. For detailed steps, refer to the browser's help documentation or support resources.

When adding a custom search engine, ensure the URL you're using belongs to a legitimate and secure search provider. Inputting an incorrect URL or using a search provider with dubious security practices can expose you to risks such as phishing or malware. Always verify the authenticity of the search engine and ensure the URL begins with “https://“.

Changing your search engine may indirectly affect perceived browser performance slightly, especially if you're moving to a more lightweight or faster search engine. However, the overall impact on browser performance is minimal. Factors such as browser extensions, cache size, and the device's specifications play a more significant role in browsing speed.

To ensure enhanced privacy with SSL support, find a search engine that utilizes HTTPS for secure connections. In Firefox's search settings, manually add this search engine as a new option, making sure the URL you input begins with “https://“. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption secures your data against potential interceptors during the search query process.

There's no strict rule on how often you should update or check your search engine settings, but it's a good practice to review them periodically, such as every few months, or following significant browser updates. It's also wise to reassess your choices if your search needs or privacy concerns evolve.

Most modern browsers apply changes to the default search engine in real-time, without the need for a restart. However, if you encounter issues or if the changes do not seem to take effect, restarting the browser can often resolve these minor glitches.

Chrome allows users to set any search engine as the default, irrespective of the language. If the search engine is not among the default listed options, you can manually add it by specifying its name, keyword(s), and query URL in the settings. This flexibility supports a diverse range of user preferences and regional languages.