How to Change the Default Search Engine on Android and iOS

When it comes to mobile browsing, the default search engine plays a crucial role in delivering relevant search results. While many of us are familiar with the default search engines like Google and Bing, did you know you can change these defaults on your Android and iOS devices? In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of how to change the default search engine for some of the most popular mobile browsers, including Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Safari.

How to Change the Default Search Engine on Android and iOS: This photo shows a smartphone screen displaying the Google logo and a search bar.

Changing the Default Search Engine on Chrome for Android and iOS

For Android:

1. Open the Chrome app on your Android device.

2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

This image shows the highlighted 3-Dot Icon in the top-right corner of Chrome for Android.

3. Go to “Settings” and select “Search engine.”

This image shows two screenshots, each highlighting the 'Settings' and 'Search engine' options, respectively.

4. Choose your preferred search engine from the list.

This image shows the Search engine screen on Chrome for Android with different search engines to choose from.

For iOS:

1. Open the Chrome app on your iOS device.

2. Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom-right corner.

This image shows the Chrome app on iPhone. The 3-dot Icon (Menu) is highlighted.

3. Select “Settings,” followed by “Search Engine.”

This image displays two screenshots of the Chrome app on iPhone. The 'Settings' icon and the 'Search Engine' option are highlighted on each screenshot, respectively.

4. Pick your desired search engine from the list.

This image displays a list of search engines for Chrome on iPhone.

Changing the Default Search Engine on Microsoft Edge for Android and iOS

For Android:

1. Launch the Microsoft Edge app on your Android device.

2. Tap the Three-Horizontal Lines menu in the bottom-right corner.

This image shows the Microsoft Edge browser on Android. The 3-Horizontal Lines Icon in the bottom-right corner is highlighted.

3. Go to “Settings.”

This image shows the "Settings" Icon of Microsoft Edge for Android is highlighted.

4. In “Settings,” look for and tap on “General.” Then, tap on “Select search engine” in the “General” page.

This image shows 2 screenshots of the Microsoft Edge app for Android. The "General" and "Select search engine" options are highlighted on each screenshot, respectively.

5. Choose your preferred search engine from the list.

This image shows the Search engine screen on Microsoft Edge for Android with different search engines to choose from.

For iOS:

1. Open the Microsoft Edge app on your iOS device.

2. Tap the Three-Horizontal Lines menu in the bottom-right corner.

This image shows the home screen of Microsoft Edge on iPhone. The 3-Horizontal Lines Menu in the bottom-right is highlighted.

3. Select “Settings.”

This image shows the "Settings" Icon of Microsoft Edge for iOS is highlighted.

4. In “Settings,” look for and tap on “General.” Then, tap on “Select search engine” in the “General” page.

This image shows 2 screenshots of the Microsoft Edge app for iOS. The "General" and "Select search engine" options are highlighted on each screenshot, respectively.

5. Choose your desired search engine from the list.

This image shows the Search engine screen on Microsoft Edge for iOS with different search engines to choose from.

Changing the Default Search Engine on Firefox for Android and iOS

For Android:

1. Open the Firefox app on your Android device.

2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

This image shows the Firefox app on Android. The 3-Dot Menu Icon is highlighted.

3. Go to “Settings” and select “Search.”

This image shows 2 screenshots of the Firefox app on Android. The "Settings" and "Search" options are highlighted on each screenshot, respectively.

4. Tap on “Default search engine.”

This image shows the "Search" screen of Firefox for Android. The "Default search engine" option is highlighted.

5. Finally, pick your preferred search engine from the list.

This image shows the "Default search engine" screen in Firefox of Android. The various search engines are highlighted.

For iOS:

1. Launch the Firefox app on your iOS device.

2. Tap the three-line menu in the bottom-right corner.

This image shows the Firefox app on iOS. The 3-Line Menu Icon is highlighted.

3. Go to “Settings” and select “Search.”

This image shows 2 screenshots of the Firefox app on iOS. The "Settings" and "Search" options are highlighted on each screenshot, respectively.

4. Tap on the option under the “Default Search Engine” section.

This image shows the "Search" screen of Firefox for iOS. The "Default Search Engine" option is highlighted.

5. Finally, pick your preferred search engine from the list.

This image shows the "Default search engine" screen in Firefox for iOS. The various search engines are highlighted.

Changing the Default Search Engine on Opera for Android and iOS

For Android:

1. Open the Opera app on your Android device.

2. Tap the “O” menu in the bottom-right corner.

This image shows the Opera app for Android. The "O" Icon in the bottom-right corner is highlighted.

3. Go to “Settings” by tapping on the Gear Icon.

This image shows the Gear Icon of the Opera app for Android has been highlighted.

4. In Settings, scroll down to look for the “Search” option and tap on it. Tap on the “Default search engine” option in the following page.

This image shows 2 screenshots from the Opera app for Android. The "Search" and "Default search engine" options are highlighted on each screenshot, respectively.

5. Choose your preferred search engine from the available options.

This image shows the various search engines available to be chosen as the default search engine of Opera for Android.

For iOS:

1. Launch the Opera app on your iOS device.

2. Tap the Three-Line menu in the bottom-right corner.

This image shows the Opera app for iOS. The 3-Line Menu Icon in the bottom-right corner is highlighted.

3. Tap on “Settings,” followed by “Default Search Engine.”

This image shows 2 screenshots from the Opera app for iOS. The "Settings" and "Default Search Engine" options are highlighted on each screenshot, respectively.

5. Choose your preferred search engine from the available options.

This image shows the various search engines available to be chosen as the default search engine of Opera for iOS.

Changing the Default Search Engine on Safari for Apple Devices

Safari is the default browser for Apple devices, you can use the following workaround to set your preferred search engine as the default:

1. Go to “Settings,” scroll down and tap on “Safari”.

This image shows the Settings screen of an iPhone. The Safari app is highlighted.

2. Next, tap on “Search Engine.”

This image shows the "Safari" settings screen. The "Search Engine" option is highlighted.

3. Choose your preferred default search engine for Safari from the available options.

This image shows the various search engines available to be chosen as the default search engine for Safari.

Read also: Exploring Search Engine Alternatives – Breaking Free from Google

Conclusion

Changing your default search engine on Android and iOS devices is a simple process, and it allows you to tailor your browsing experience to your preferences. Whether you prefer privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo or alternatives like Yahoo, you have the flexibility to customize your search experience on your mobile device.

Experiment with different search engines to find the one that suits you best, and enjoy more personalized and relevant search results on your favorite mobile browsers.

With these steps, you can take control of your search engine settings and make your browsing experience more tailored to your needs.

Remember, the steps mentioned here are accurate as of the time of writing this article, but software updates can change the process slightly. Be sure to check the latest instructions provided by the browser developers for the most up-to-date guidance.

That’s it! You’re now equipped to change the default search engine on your Android and iOS devices for various popular browsers. Enjoy your customized browsing experience.

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