To set the default search engine in Firefox on a computer, type about:preferences#search in the address bar (or click the menu button ☰ > Settings > Search), then choose an engine from the Default Search Engine drop-down, like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. The change applies right away to searches from the address bar. On Firefox for iPhone or Android, go to Settings > Search > Default search engine.
Change the default search engine on Windows, Mac, or Linux
- Click the menu button (☰) in the top-right corner of Firefox and choose Settings.
- Click Search in the left sidebar.
- Under Default Search Engine, open the drop-down menu.
- Choose the search engine you want.
To use a different engine in private windows, check Use this search engine in Private Windows and choose one from the second drop-down that appears.
Add a search engine that isn’t listed
From the website
- Go to the search engine’s website, like search.brave.com or ecosia.org.
- Right-click the address bar and choose Add “[name]”, or click the address bar and look for the engine’s icon with a green plus at the bottom of the drop-down.
- Go back to Settings > Search and select it as your default.
Add one manually
In recent versions of Firefox, you can add a custom engine in Settings > Search > Search Shortcuts by clicking Add and entering a name and search URL with %s where the search terms go, like https://example.com/search?q=%s.
You can also find engines as add-ons at addons.mozilla.org under Search Tools. Only install add-ons from trusted developers.
Change the default search engine on Firefox for iPhone or Android
- Tap the menu (☰ or three dots) and choose Settings.
- Tap Search.
- Tap Default search engine and pick one.
On Android, you can add a custom engine from the same screen with Add search engine.
Search with a different engine just once
- Type your search in the address bar, then click one of the engine icons at the bottom of the drop-down.
- Or type the engine’s shortcut first, like @bing or @wikipedia, followed by your search.
You can see and edit these shortcuts under Search Shortcuts in Settings.
Search engine keeps changing back?
- An extension may be controlling it. Settings will say “An extension is controlling this setting.” Go to Menu > Add-ons and themes > Extensions and disable or remove it.
- Unwanted software can hijack your search engine. Remove suspicious programs in Windows Settings > Apps, then run a scan with your antivirus.
- Refresh Firefox if nothing else works: type about:support and click Refresh Firefox. This keeps bookmarks and passwords but removes extensions and customizations.
Frequently asked questions
What’s Firefox’s default search engine?
It depends on your region. In the US and many other countries, Firefox uses Google by default.
Does the default search engine sync across devices?
Search engine settings can sync with a Mozilla account when Settings sync is turned on, but it’s worth checking each device.
How do I remove a search engine from Firefox?
In Settings > Search > Search Shortcuts, select the engine and click Remove. You can’t remove the one set as your default until you choose another.
Can I use a search engine that doesn’t track me?
Yes. DuckDuckGo is included in Firefox. You can also add others, like Brave Search, Startpage, or Ecosia.
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.