Finally, an Easier Way to Change the Default Browser on Mac
Unfortunately, one internet browser can’t do it all. Perhaps you need to switch to a different browser for more privacy , or you’re trying out a new AI-powered browser. Copying and pasting links between browsers can be a hassle in itself, as can going to your browser settings to change the default browser. Luckily, Mac users can avoid all of this by using the browser’s default menu bar app.
Sindre Sorhus is a serial independent app developer who specializes in creating niche apps that often seamlessly solve a particularly pressing problem. The default browser is one of my favorites (and we’ve already talked about its other apps like Supercharge , Aiko , and Velja ).
How to set your default browser app
The Default Browser app is available directly from the developer’s site for $4. Once installed, you’ll just need to go into system settings to grant the app accessibility permissions (the app needs them to work), but other than that it couldn’t be simpler.
Essentially, it’s really simple. You click on the globe icon in the menu bar to open the Default Browser app and click on one of the browsers to switch to it. However, it will be blank by default, so let’s start by setting up the application.
First, click the Settings button, then click the Select button under Browsers , then enable the browsers you want to see listed. You can also use the little handle icons to drag and reorder them.
Once this is done, I highly recommend creating a keyboard shortcut for the application using the Toggle menu option. I personally set it to Command+Shift+D . Using the keyboard shortcut will cause the browser’s default menu bar app to appear, even if you’ve hidden it using an app like Ice . You can then use the number to quickly switch to the new default browser (I press the “2” key to instantly switch to Firefox, the browser I use for the Lifehacker CMS). This small change alone makes the default browser really fast, simple and easy to use.
The default browser is also compatible with the Shortcuts app, so you can set up automation to change your default browser from anywhere (even setting up a unique keyboard shortcut for each browser).
But things get interesting when you integrate your default browser with Shortery . Shortery is a third-party app that automates shortcuts on Mac. The default browser integrates with Shortery through shortcuts, allowing you to create automation workflows based on your browser usage. For example, you can create an automation that switches your default browser to Microsoft Edge when you open the Microsoft Teams app.
The app also supports focus filters. Go to System Settings > Focus , select a focus mode , and then scroll down to Focus Filter . Here you can add a new filter that switches your browser default when you switch to focus mode. If you use different focus modes for your personal and work life, you can also use this feature to tie them to separate browsers.
For more complex workflows there is Velja
For most use cases, the default browser is a great choice, especially if you enable automation and keyboard shortcuts. But if you have complex needs, try the Velja app. It’s from the same developer and is something of a big brother to the default browser.
Here you can set up rules specific to links from certain applications. Personally, I have a rule setup that automatically opens Google Meet links from WhatsApp in Google Chrome. My default browser is Safari, but Google Meet works best in Chrome, so when I go to open my weekly meditation community meetings, they now automatically open in Chrome, skipping the tedious copy-and-paste dance every time. You can find out more about using Velja in our dedicated guide .