To change the default search engine in Safari on a Mac, open Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS) from the menu bar, and click the Search tab. Then pick Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia from the Search engine menu. The change applies immediately to searches you type in Safari’s address bar.
How to change Safari’s search engine on a Mac
- Open Safari.
- Click Safari in the menu bar and choose Settings, or press Command + , (comma).
- Click the Search tab.
- Open the Search engine menu and choose the one you want.
- Close the Settings window.
Use a different search engine in Private Browsing
In recent versions of Safari, the Search tab also has a Private Browsing search engine menu. Choose Use Default to match your regular setting, or pick a different engine, like DuckDuckGo, just for private windows.
Other search settings worth knowing
- Include search engine suggestions: Shows suggestions from your search engine as you type.
- Include Safari Suggestions: Shows suggestions from Apple, like news and Wikipedia results.
- Enable Quick Website Search: Lets you search inside a site by typing its name first, like “wiki cats.”
- Preload Top Hit in the background: Starts loading the top result to save time.
Can I add a custom search engine to Safari?
Not directly. Safari only offers the engines in its list. Workarounds:
- Install a Safari extension from the App Store that redirects searches to another engine, like Brave Search, Startpage, or Kagi. Search the App Store for the engine’s name plus “Safari extension.”
- Bookmark the search engine’s home page and search from there.
Search engine keeps changing back?
- Check your extensions. Go to Safari > Settings > Extensions and turn off anything you don’t recognize.
- Check for profiles. On a work or school Mac, look in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Profiles (or General > Device Management). Your organization may control Safari settings.
- Remove unwanted apps. Adware can change your search engine. Delete apps you didn’t install on purpose from the Applications folder.
On iPhone Chrome? See changing the Chrome search engine on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Does this change the search engine on my iPhone too?
No. Safari search settings are set separately on each device. See how to change Safari’s search engine on iPhone.
Which search engines can I choose in Safari?
Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia. Some regions have additional options.
How do I search with Safari without the address bar?
Press Command + L to jump to the address bar, type your search, and press Return.
Why is Safari called Preferences instead of Settings?
macOS Monterey and earlier use Preferences. macOS Ventura and later renamed it Settings. The Search tab is the same in both.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.