Make Safari your default web browser on Mac (2024)

FAQs

Make Safari your default web browser on Mac? ›

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click the pop-up menu next to “Default web browser” on the right, then choose Safari.

Go to Settings and scroll down until you find the browser app or the email app. Tap the app, then tap Default Browser App or Default Mail App. Select a web browser or email app to set it as the default. A checkmark appears to confirm it's the default.

From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings. Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar. Scroll down on the right and choose a web browser from the “Default web browser” menu.

To reset Safari, follow these steps: In the Safari menu, choose 'Preferences...' Click the 'Privacy' button at the top of the new window that appears, and then click the 'Remove All Website Data' button. It will ask you if you are sure you want to remove all data stored by websites on your computer.

To change these settings, choose Safari > Settings, then click Websites. The settings you can customize (such as Reader and Content Blockers) are listed on the left. To apply a setting to a website on the right, first select the setting, then choose the option you want from the pop-menu next to the website.

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click the pop-up menu next to “Default web browser” on the right, then choose Safari.

In the Safari app on your Mac, choose History > Clear History, then click the pop-up menu. Choose how far back you want your browsing history cleared.

If you don't see the Safari icon on your Dock, you can search for it in Finder by following these steps:Click on the Finder icon that resembles a smiley face in the Dock.In the top menu bar, click Go and select Applications. Scroll down or use the search bar to find the Safari app.

Why doesn't Safari work on my Mac? ›

Make sure cables are connected, and that your network devices (such as a router) are turned on. Check your internet connection. Try working in another app that uses the internet, such as Mail, to see if your Mac is connected to the internet.

In the Safari app on your Mac, choose Safari > Settings, then click a settings pane: General: Change your homepage, and choose what to see when you open a window or tab, how long to keep your browsing history, which bookmarks to show in Favorites view, and choose where to save downloads and how long to keep them.

To change these preferences, choose Safari > Preferences, then click Advanced.

To change these settings, choose Safari > Settings, then click Search. Choose the search engine you want Safari to use for your regular web browsing. Choose the search engine you want Safari to use for Private Browsing.

A slow internet connection—or one that's offline—could be why Safari isn't working. Make sure your modem is plugged in and working properly. Try testing your Wi-Fi on other connected items—like your phone—as well. For help, check out our guide to speeding up your internet.

The website server may be busy, or the website may be unavailable temporarily. Contact your network administrator for help. If you connect to the internet using a corporate or enterprise network, the network may have a firewall that prevents you from opening the webpage.

What is a Default Search Engine? A default search engine is a pre-configured search tool that your web browser uses to fulfill your search queries. Safari on Mac and iOS devices comes with Google search set as the default search engine, but users have the option to choose their preferred search engine.