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Set Google as Search Engine in Safari (Mac & iPhone)

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to make Google your default search engine in Safari on both macOS and iOS (iPhone/iPad). You’ll be able to type searches directly into the address bar and get Google results instead of Safari’s default. No technical skills are needed—just a few taps or clicks in Settings.

What You’ll Need

  • A Mac running macOS Ventura or later, or an iPhone/iPad with iOS 16 or later (steps are similar on older versions).
  • An internet connection (only needed to verify the change works).

Step-by-Step

On Mac (macOS Ventura and later)

  1. Open Safari from the Dock or Applications folder.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Safari and then select Settings… (or press Cmd + ,).
  3. Click the Search tab at the top of the Settings window.
  4. Next to Search engine, click the dropdown menu and select Google.
  5. Close the Settings window. The change is saved automatically.
  6. Test it: type a search term in the address bar and press Return. You should see Google results.

On iPhone or iPad (iOS 16 and later)

  1. Open the Settings app on your device.
  2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
  3. Under Search, tap Search Engine.
  4. Select Google from the list.
  5. Go back to Safari and try a search in the address bar to confirm.

On older macOS (before Ventura)

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Click Safari in the menu bar, then choose Preferences… (or press Cmd + ,).
  3. Click the Search tab.
  4. Choose Google from the “Search engine” dropdown.
  5. Close the window—done.

On older iOS (iOS 15 and earlier)

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Safari.
  3. Tap Search Engine and choose Google.

Common Mistakes

  • Changing the wrong setting: Some users change the “Search” section in Safari’s preferences but miss the actual “Search engine” dropdown. Make sure you’re on the Search tab and look for the dropdown labeled “Search engine.”
  • Not closing Settings on Mac: If you leave the Settings window open, the change may not take effect until you close it. Always close the window after selecting Google.
  • Using a third-party “Google” app: Setting Google as the search engine in Safari does not install the Google app. It only changes which engine Safari uses for address-bar searches.
  • Confusing Safari with another browser: If you’re using Chrome or Firefox, the steps are different. This guide only applies to Safari.

Tips

  • Quick access: After setting Google, you can type a search directly in the address bar—no need to visit google.com first.
  • Private Browsing: The search engine setting applies to both normal and private windows, so you don’t need to change it twice.
  • Sync across devices: If you use iCloud Keychain and have Safari sync enabled, the search engine preference may sync across your Apple devices, but it’s not guaranteed. Check each device separately.
  • Reset if needed: If you ever want to revert, follow the same steps and choose a different engine like Bing or DuckDuckGo.

Troubleshooting

Google is not in the dropdown list. This is rare, but if it’s missing, your Safari version may be outdated. Update macOS or iOS to the latest version, then try again. Also, check that you’re looking in the right place—the Search tab in Safari Settings, not the General tab.

I changed it, but searches still go to Bing. First, close and reopen Safari. If that doesn’t work, go back to Settings and confirm the change saved (the dropdown should show Google). If it still shows Bing, try restarting your device. On iPhone, a simple restart often fixes such glitches.

Searches go to Google but in a new tab unexpectedly. That’s not a search engine issue. It’s related to Safari’s “Open new tabs in” setting. Go to Safari Settings > Tabs and check “Open new tabs in” to adjust.

I don’t see the Search tab in Safari Settings. On macOS, the Settings window has tabs at the top (General, Tabs, Search, etc.). If you don’t see them, widen the window or click the “Search” icon in the toolbar. On iOS, you’re in the Safari section of the main Settings app—not inside Safari itself.

After updating macOS, the setting reverted. Sometimes a major OS update resets browser preferences. Just repeat the steps above—it’s a one-time fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this change the default search engine for all browsers?

No, it only affects Safari. Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers have their own settings.

Can I set Google as the homepage too?

Yes. In Safari Settings, go to the General tab and set the homepage to https://www.google.com. That’s separate from the search engine setting.

Will this affect my privacy?

It means your searches go to Google instead of the previous engine. Google collects search data as described in its privacy policy. If you’re concerned, consider using a private search engine or Safari’s Private Browsing mode.

Why does Safari sometimes show Bing even after I set Google?

This can happen if you have a third-party extension or profile that overrides the search engine. Check Safari Settings > Extensions and disable any that might affect search. Also, on macOS, check if you have a “Managed” profile (in System Settings > Profiles) that enforces a different engine.

Can I use Google for address bar searches but keep another engine for the search box?

Safari only has one search engine setting for both the address bar and the search field. You cannot set different engines for each.

What if I want to use Google Scholar or Google Images specifically?

Those are separate websites. Setting Google as the search engine only affects general web searches. You can still visit scholar.google.com or images.google.com directly.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.