Check the Default PDF Viewer on Mac. Lookup a PDF file on your Mac and right-click or tap it with two fingers. Hover the cursor on Open With and observe the dialogue box that appears. The first option in the listing will have (default) written behind the app. This signifies that the app is currently the default PDF viewer on. Apple has set Safari as their default browser when they brought the Mac OS X Panther back in October 2003. Since then Safari is used as the default browser and no change is made to this. Every third party browser offers an option to set it as the default one when you open that for the first time in your Mac. See also: How To Change Default Search Engine in Safari. When you do this, you will be removing history of web sites you visited, recent searchers, list of download items, frequently visited sites list, web sites that asked to use your located and to send you notifications. Remove Browser History. The first step when resetting Safari is to remove your browser history.
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’ default browser. But I don’t know how to do it. Can you help me?
~MacBook Pro User
Part I: Introduction
The default browser in your Mac operating system is Safari. This came into existence ever since the brand has 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 into the near future where 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 where 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’ default browser, let’s tackle into 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 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 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 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 Firefox menu.
Step 03 - Select Preferences.
Step 04 - Go to the left-hand sidebar. Ensure that 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.
Step 04 - Select Startup. This is located on the left-hand side of the interface.
Step 05 - Press Set As Default.
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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 through system updates so that’s a good thing. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox usually undergoes through 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 useFoneDog'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 better user experience.
* It comprehensively scans your entire Mac for unnecessary browser data that might result to 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 of 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 is available to help you in case you get stuck on using the tool.
How To Make Default Browser On Mac
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.
Step 02 - Launch the software on your computer.
Step 03 - Click the ToolKit icon.
Step 04 - Choose Privacy.
Step 05 - Press Scan.
Step 06 - After the scanning process is finished, view and choose the items you wish.
Note: Move your mouse to the occupation information on the right side of the files in browsers, you can view more detailed information by clicking the Show button in grey.
Step 07 - Press the Clean button.
Step 09 - Click Confirm.
Step 10 - 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 browsing experience it is a must for you to heed our tips above. The best way to enhance your user experience is to use FoneDog's Mac Cleaner tool. This will help keep your privacy safe and your browsing experience better.
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Nothing can beat the uniqueness of Apple. They have something unique always which makes the user feel all time stay loved with the products. Here we can see about a unique thing about default search engine of Mac OS X. You can see most of your OS will have Google as the default search engine but here on Mac OS X, it’s not Google lover here. Google is not a preferred choice of Apple developers.
Make Google Default Browser Safari
Even though the best search engine known to world is Google , apple developers have not given it a prestige as their default search engine .A good number of people like 4 out of 5 prefers Google . But there are people who are not mesmerized with Google and they prefer the alternatives. Some prefer other search engines like Yahoo, Bing etc. and think that they are better. And the apple users are provided with a search engine i.e. DuckDuckGo and it is really cool too.
Wondering why is it so!!! I know you will be wondered if you are a Google lover and my next lines would put a shock in your eyes too. Ever felt how kind Google is when you have seen most good things costs and this best thing Google is not a paid thing. If so update your knowledge with this “Nothing this free at this world “. Google is really a hidden eye on you geeks .You search so many things and you get it free and Google has created a profile for you, where all your likes and preference are stored safe to make business run. You can see you get advertisement and emails related to your preference and would have wondered saying how did I have this luckily when I was just planning to do it. The wonder can be answered as the magic business of Google.
Don’t think your privacy is secure with other search engines like Bing and Yahoo. They too follow their master Google in the business path. But you can feel relaxed as they are not so keen and expert as Google peeping on your privacy.
You seem to be so lucky if you are an Apple lover . Because Mac OS X is from Apple . Here privacy is given as your natural right while choosing Mac OS X . It has DuckDuckGo as your default search engine which is too much privacy oriented . Believe it guys this default search engine ensures your privacy .But if you got bored with the default Search Engine offered to you. And if you want to change your default search engine then I can help you out. No worries we have choices, choose the best which makes you happy.
Here you will learn How to Change Safari Default Search Engine on Mac OS X . Let’s start –
In this you have to do simple four steps to change your default search engine on your Mac OS X.
Step 1 #
A very easy manual step . To begin with this first select Safari on your Mac OS X.
Step 2 #
Now as given in the below image you can see certain options when you clicked Safari. Among the list of options ,look for an option called “Preferences” . Now you have to click that .
Step 3 #
You can now see a drop-down menu labelled Search as given in the image below .Now from that label you can see an option search with a symbol of magnifying glass .Click on the option “Search “.
Step 4 #
Once you click on the search option a drop-down menu will appear containing a series of Search Engine.
Select your preferred search engine you want from the drop-down menu that appears on your screen to set as your default search engine.
Note: 1– Apple provides you to select from the four below mention search engines.
DuckDuckGo
Google
Yahoo
Bing
Note:2 – the above mention steps are applicable for almost all versions of OS X,but when as said before the Privacy-oriented search engine i.e. DuckDuckGo is only exists in SAFARI 8 for OS X Yosemite.
That’s all you need to do to change your DEFAULT SEARCH ENGINE IN SAFARI BROWSER.
Now here’s a short go about the four Default search engines that you can get as Apple user.
DuckDuckGo:
We can say that its a best option if your concern is about your privacy . Unlike other search engines DuckDuck Go is safer for a user as it keep the personal information of a user safe and emphasizes on protecting searchers privacy. Here no personal information is collected from you . Thus, it shows the same information to all its users. DuckDuckGo collects its information from various other sites. Moreover, it shows the best search result other than any search engine.
Google:
Google Search is the dominant search engine with the highest number of user’s world-wide. Google has billions of web pages to offer its users to search. It shows the most relevant results and gathers its information from over million sources throughout the world. A user can search for any desired information by entering keywords and operators. Anyway, Google is considered as the best search engine platform than any other search engines.
Yahoo:
How Do I Set Safari As My Default Browser Macbook
According to a survey it was found that Yahoo was able to gather far more information about a user than any other search engine. Yahoo gathers information from several sources to display search results to its user. Yahoo is one of the most prominent search engines and it’s the world’s fourth most visited website. All most all browsers like Safari, windows etc. has Yahoo as one of the search engine
Bing:
Unlike other search engines Bing is also a search engine from the Microsoft that has several search engine features like other search engine. You can also select Bing as your engine manually.
Now we are all set about the information of the search engines and their best part .
Anyway, the delighted customers of Apple have their way now to Change Default Search Engine in Safari in their Mac Os X. It would have been really better if Apple allows multiple Search Engines other than four. It could be a fortune for its costumers to go for any search Engine from their Browser only without opting for any other internet Browser. It can be further advised to set Google as its default search engine as it has the most sources to search over and it is been esteemed by millions. DuckDuckGo in fact is good ,there is no doubt about that ; but not up to a height that Google stands at.
Still, CHANGING YOUR DEFAULT SEARCH ENGINE of your SAFARI BROWSER in your Mac OS X is not at all a complex task.