I use my MacBook Pro for a lot of things. First, I use it to edit my videos and photos. I also use it to watch movies. More importantly, I use it to surf the web in order to research for my job. Now, I want to know how to change my Mac device’s default browser. But I don’t know how to do it. Can you help me?
~MacBook Pro User
Part I: IntroductionPart II: BrowsersPart III: Setting Up The Default Browser (For OS X Yosemite, macOS El Capitan, Or Higher Versions)Part IV: Other Ways You Can Implement For Changing Your Default BrowserPart V: Tips To Help You Enhance The Speed Of Your BrowserPart VI: Conclusion
Part I: Introduction
The default browser in your Mac operating system is Safari. This came into existence ever since the brand created its very own browser.
Before Safari came into play, the default browser was Internet Explorer. And before that, was the Netscape Navigator. Were you alive during that time? Do you remember it?
Safari is quite a perfect web browser. It provides most features given by its competitors like Firefox and Chrome. For example, it has autofill or autosuggestion for your details (e.g. credit card information). It also stores passwords securely. It even gives you the ability to request websites without being tracked.
Apple has placed privacy as its priority, especially during these present times. Given this, we might be in the near future when Safari would be the best web browser for Mac users.
This is true, especially for those who simply want to browse the web and be secure all the time. Plus, there might be a time when your personal data is kept private from your web browser.
Although Safari is a good browser, you might be into different browsers like Firefox and Chrome due to a variety of reasons. Performance might be one of the reasons.
Safari is actually fast when it comes to being a browser. However, sometimes, it might be slower compared to Firefox or Chrome.
Or, you might simply want extensions or plugins that are not supported by Safari and are supported by the other two web browsers.
Sometimes, websites do not work properly on Safari as well. These are just some of the reasons why you might want to change browsers.
Part II: Browsers
Browsers are tools that allow you to surf the web and visit a variety of sites. It might even have extensions and plugins that allow the surfing experience better. Before we delve into changing your Mac device’s default browser, let’s tackle what a default browser actually is.
The default web browser refers to the web browser that launches when you click a link in another document or email application.
When you utilize Spotlight and actually click a specific URL from the Internet, the default web browser will be opened. Any task or operation that launches a URL will open the default web browser. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot use other browsers in order to surf the web.
It is not necessary for you to change your actual default browser if you simply need to check out a particular site in Firefox or Chrome.
If Safari is your current default browser, you have the ability to open a particular link within another browser. You can do this by pressing the CTRL key while clicking a URL and then choosing Copy Link. After which, you can paste it into another browser’s address bar.
Part III: Setting Up The Default Browser (For OS X Yosemite, macOS El Capitan, Or Higher Versions)
Apple has altered the method of setting up your default browser in Yosemite. However, it has been kept the same since the said version of Mac’s operating system.
Before, you still have to launch Safari in order to make another browser the default one. This is plain silly. But, it has changed recently. Here’s how to do it properly.
Step 01 - Press the Apple menu.
Step 02 - Choose System Preferences.
Step 03 - Select the tab named General.
Step 04 - Halfway down the interface, you can see a menu located next to Default Web Browser. Click this menu and choose the specific browser that you wish to be used as default.
That’s it! It’s easy as 1-2-3. Now, let’s check out how you can modify the default browser in previous versions of the operating system. The steps below shows the one for OS X Mavericks and previous versions:
Step 01 - Open Safari.
Step 02 - Press the Safari menu.
Step 03 - Select Preferences.
Step 04 - Click the tab named General.
Step 05 - Press the menu located next to the words Default Web Browser.
Step 06 - Select the browser you wish to be set as default.
Step 07 - Quit Preferences.
Step 08 - Quit Safari.
Part IV: Other Ways You Can Implement For Changing Your Default Browser
Actually, every browser out there wishes to be the default one. This is to increase the number of users they have. When you actually open a browser that is not the default one, it asks you if you wish to set it as the default browser for your device. A simple pop-up window will appear that asks this query.
If you wish to set the said browser as the default one, it will simply modify the settings of System Preferences. In this way, the said browser will be the default one.
However, if you refused before and you simply want to change it now, that would be easy. Here’s how to set the default browser in a few of the popular web browsers out there.
Changing The Default Browser To Chrome:
Step 01 - Open Chrome.
Step 02 - Press the Chrome menu.
Step 03 - Choose Preferences.
Step 04 - A web page will be launched. Scroll down to the end of the interface until you actually can see the words Default Browser.
Step 05 - Press Make Default.
Changing The Default Browser To Firefox:
Step 01 - Open Firefox.
Step 02 - Go to the Firefox menu.
Step 03 - Select Preferences.
Step 04 - Go to the left-hand sidebar. Ensure that the General is selected.
Step 05 - At the top, you should be able to see the words, General. Below it, you will see a message that states that Firefox is not your default browser. Go to the right part of that and press Make Default.
Changing The Default Browser To Opera:
Step 01 - Open Opera.
Step 02 - Press the Opera menu.
Step 03 - Press Preferences.
Step 04 - A web page will be launched. Ensure that Basic is the one selected. This is located on the left side of the interface.
Step 05 - Press the option that makes Opera your default browser.
Changing The Default Browser To Vivaldi:
Step 01 - Open Vivaldi.
Step 02 - Go to the Vivaldi menu.
Step 03 - Select Preferences.
Step 04 - Select Startup. This is located on the left-hand side of the interface.
Step 05 - Press Set As Default.
People Also Read How to Fix my Mac Running Slow?
Part V: Tips To Help You Enhance The Speed Of Your Browser
Even if you use a specific type of browser, you can do some of the tips we outline below to help you improve its speed and performance:
Tip 01: Use The Most Recent Or Up-To-Date Version
Ensure that you go for the installation of system updates when they are available. Safari usually updates when your macOS undergoes system updates so that’s a good thing. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox usually undergo automatic updates when you quit them and launch them again. However, if you always keep them open, they will not be able to update themselves. That’s why it’s best to quit these browsers every now and then to update them regularly.
Tip 02: Avoid Opening A Lot Of Tabs Simultaneously
Tabs that are open still consume processor cycles, RAM, and energy even though they are not currently being used. The more tabs you have opened, the slower the performance of your Mac will be. Thus, it is necessary for you to close tabs that you don’t use or don’t need.
Tip 03: Keep Your Mac And Your Browser Clean
Our browsers have a lot of unnecessary files. These include cookies, cache, old updates, and language files. These files result in the slowing down of your Mac device and even your browser. The best way to get rid of these unnecessary files that take up much space is to use TechyCub's Mac Cleaner tool. Below are the advantages of this tool and how to use it step-by-step:
* It helps protect your private information by clearing it your entire browser of historical data, saved personal information and passwords, cookies, caches, etc.
* It helps speed up the performance of your web browser thus giving you a better user experience.
* It comprehensively scans your entire Mac for unnecessary browser data that might result in the slowing down of your surfing experience.
* The comprehensive scan and complete cleanup of your browser can be done with just a few simple clicks.
* It is very easy to use. Even if you are not tech-savvy, you can easily use the tool to do the cleaning up your browser.
* It is very fast and powerful.
* You are given a free trial for the first five hundred (500) megabytes (MB) of data. Without shelling out money, you can experience the tool immediately.
* One-on-one support and email support are available to help you in case you get stuck on using the tool.
Here’s how to use it step-by-step to clean up your browser:
(Screenshots below are under dark mode on Mac.)
Step 01 - Download the tool from the official website of the brand.
Mac Cleaner
Scan your Mac quickly and clean junk files easily.
Check the primary status of your Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc.
Speed up your Mac with simple clicks.
Free Download
Step 02 - Launch the software on your computer.
Step 03 - Choose Privacy.
Step 04 - Press Scan.
Step 05 - After the scanning process is finished, view and choose the items you wish.
Step 06 - Press the Clean button.
Step 07 - Wait until the cleanup process is finished.
Part VI: Conclusion
You can easily change the default browser of your Mac device especially if you wish to use Firefox or Chrome. In case you wish to change your default browser, you can easily opt for another browser by following our guide here.
Plus, to improve the browsing experience it is a must for you to heed our tips above. The best way to enhance your user experience is to use TechyCub's Mac Cleaner tool. This will help keep your privacy safe and your browsing experience better.
Mac Cleaner
Scan your Mac quickly and clean junk files easily.
Check the primary status of your Mac including the disk usage, CPU status, memory usage, etc.
Speed up your Mac with simple clicks.
Free Download
