Apr 23, 2018 How to set the default browser in macOS El Capitan or later, and OS X Yosemite. Apple changed the way you set the default browser in OS X Yosemite and it has remained the same since then. Previously, as you’ll see below, you had to open Safari to, say, make Google Chrome the default browser. As Apple realized, eventually, that’s plain daft. Mac OS X is one of the most advanced operating systems in the world, renowned for its user-friendliness and clutter-free setup. There was one very little irritant in the past versions of OS X with respect to the default browser setting. Question: What Is The Default Browser For Mac Os X? Open Safari (yes, open Safari even if you want to use another app as your default browser) Pull down the ‘Safari’ menu and choose to open ‘Preferences’ (or just hit command-,) Click the ‘General’ tab. Changing the Default Mail Client to Another App in Mac OS X.
Safari is normally set as the default browser in Mac so whenever you click on an external link or when a third-party app wants to redirect you to the browser, Safari will be launched automatically. However, if you prefer Google Chrome, Mozilla or any other browser over Safari, then you have to first set it as the default browser.
When you launch a third-party browser for the first time, you’ll be asked whether you want to set it as the default browser. In case you disallowed this accidentally, there’s still an easy way to change the default browser. In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to do so.
Change the default browser in OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later
Step 1: Open the Apple Menu by clicking on the logo in the top left corner and choose System Preferences.
Step 2: Find and open the General settings.
Step 3: You’ll find an option that says Default Web Browser. Click on the dropdown next to it and choose the browser that should be set as the default.
Step 4: Close system preferences and your default browser should now be set.
Change the default browser on OS X Mavericks or earlier
Step 1: Launch Safari on your Mac.
Step 2: Open the Safari menu and choose Preferences. Alternatively, you can press ‘Cmd + ,’ .
Step 3: Switch to the General tab and you’ll find a dropdown for selecting the default web browser.
The process is the same for other browsers, in case you want to switch from Chrome, Mozilla or anything else to some other browser.
That’s all you need to do to change the default browser on your Mac. Now, whenever you click on an external link, you will be taken to the new browser that you set as the default. Keep in mind that the browser you want to set as the default should be installed on your Mac otherwise it won’t be listed.
When you click on a link while using a Mac it will open automatically in Safari because it’s set as the default web browser. Every Mac comes with Safari set as the default browser. Although Safari is a powerful browser and offers many useful features, some people prefer a different browser over Safari, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
When you use a third-party web browser for the first time, it will ask whether you wish to set it as the default browser. If you declined it, then there’s nothing to worry about as Apple does allow you to change the default browser at any time. It’s quite easy to do it and all you need is a couple minutes of your time.
Here’s how you can change the default web browser in OS X Yosemite or later, or in prior versions of Mac OS X.
How to Change the Default Web Browser in OS X Yosemite or Later
Step 1: From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
Step 2: Click on General.
Step 3: Click the menu next to “Default web browser”.
Step 4: A list opens with all the web browsers installed on your Mac. Choose your preferred browser to set it as default.
How to Set the Default Web Browser in Prior Versions of Mac OS X
If you’re using a version of Mac OS X prior to OS X Yosemite, then the method of changing the default browser is a little different. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Safari.
Step 2: Click on the Safari menu in the menu bar and choose Preferences.
Step 3: Go to the General tab.
Step 4: Click the menu next to “Default web browser” and choose your preferred browser.
Change Default Web Browser Mac Os X
Once you’ve selected the default web browser, the next time you click on a link in a document, mail, note, or anywhere else, it will open your preferred browser rather than Safari.